Hi everyone.
There’s a month to go until schools close for Summer here in London. Instead of winding down, the weeks have got busier. In addition to my normal teaching days I’ve been shadowing chess tutors for Chess In Schools. This is part of the induction process. I wanted to see as many teaching styles as I could so I was delighted to fit in three tutors into my normal working week.

Over the years I’ve observed and trained teachers in maths. Now it was time to observe chess tutors, reflecting on teaching styles, classroom management and seeing the experts lead. Of course I made comparisons to myself and the level of my students. It was good to see my strengths and where I can develop as a chess tutor.

Here are some of my take-aways:

Organisational tips for the chess classroom

-Lessons start with an introduction and then there’s time to play. At the end of the year all children are playing full games for a weekly tournament.
-Chess tutors organise pairing cards at home, deciding who will play who, who’ll be black or white and adding up running totals.
– Each table is numbered with a post-it note so when children walk in they have their card and find their seat.
-Children set up boards correctly but do not begin until the teacher says.
-In one school, if noise levels are too high there’s 30 seconds of silence and no touching of pieces. This resets order as children are asked to contemplate moves before resuming.

I watched some great lessons on skewers, Helper checkmates and castling.

Inspired by the Helper Checkmates lesson, I decided to teach it with my own students too. I created a LogiqBoard worksheet with puzzles for children to solve in pairs. This time I printed the worksheets but scanning QR codes and solving online is also an option. My students also loved a brilliant chesskid.com video on Helper Checkmates.

Before the next lesson I’ll compile the students helper checkmates, (final puzzle boards from worksheet) create them on LogiqBoard and together we’ll mark them.

Click below for the worksheet:

https://logiqboard.com/worksheets/cqDl1HsxPW

Mindfulnesss in chess

One of the tutors had a lovely way of getting students to focus before each game. Children are asked to place their hands on their hearts and close their eyes.  There are a few words of guidance by the tutor and then silent time to reflect. They’re setting an intent for the game they’re about to play just as I do in yoga . A moment to pause where they came together. A special moment, really valuing their chess journeys.

In this class the children played games with classical music playing quietly in the background. Nice touch.

If children thought they had achieved a checkmate, they’d raise a hand and the tutor would ask them to explore if it was indeed checkmate or was there an opportunity to Avoid, Block or Capture.

Each class had teachers present and teaching assistants. Some staff were planning, others took an active roll in supporting.

Teachable moments

As each class had tournament games I got to see how tutors selected the teachable moments in the main part of the lesson. Noticing errors or where they could show children a better choice of moves if they had the chance to do it again. Emotions are often high in games so intervening is a sensitive area and you mustn’t show support for a player or even a hint!

Support is often given with the words ‘You could have explored this…’ or ‘remember this for next time’… If an error is spotted in moves or captures it’s corrected.

This input is only possible when behaviour expectations are clear and set from the start. The extra adults also play a role as the chess tutor can have focused conversations at different boards rather than policing behaviour.

My biggest fear
So my biggest fear is running a tournament. In one of my schools I got to see something quite amazing! In a year six class there were singles and doubles happening at the same time! In this class children were allowed to talk in games and this worked too.

I love how smoothly this was managed and how they were given a choice. Children respond well to choice and ownership of their learning. It’s fun and for some, choice adds motivation. You’re less nervous because you have a buddy. Although the flip side is you have to cope when your teammate makes a terrible move! 😬

My turn to be observed

I love how this tutor gently invited me to teach an intro in the 2nd week! The truth is I could watch chess tutors at their demo boards all day. You gain so much watching from the back, how the tutor teaches, their modelling, the examples they choose and questions they ask.

I get to see how children are active learners, how they respond and process information. Are children with their hands up chosen only or are there strategies to get children thinking?

It’s a time to steal ideas or come up with my own ideas. How would I teach this concept? How could I be better?

My strengths 💪

As a primary school teacher I have the pedagogy needed and classroom management skills. I enjoyed seeing chess tutors in action. When you’re a chess player the content comes naturally, you’ve seen these moves, played these moves, it’s second nature. It’s amazing to see this. My next steps really are to do with tournament games and developing my own knowledge as a player.

I need my lesson plans so the Chess in Schools Curriculum is a great guide and a detailed document I’ve used for years. The problem solving skills are evident throughout.

School teachers reading this, if you’re considering making the jump I promise you will absolutely love becoming a chess tutor! (Oops I’m not here to recruit you😉)

And as many wonderful chess experts have told me, you don’t have to be play competitively to be a good chess tutor. This is true and there is room for all of us. We can learn from each other.

Final words

To my chess tutor trio, Devina, Lucas and Bob, thank you to letting me shadow you and for all your support. I know the shadowing isn’t quite over maybe but it’s been a great opportunity. A super team of tutors who are in demand and have returned to their schools year after year. Inspiring young learners and creating a passion for this wonderful game.

Rita if you’re reading this, one of these fabulous tutors remembers playing alongside you in the England team! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Looking forward to seeing this trio at the Chess Fest in Trafalgar Square!

Be there or be square (promise never to use that line again)

Hari x