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Customer Reviews on the Product
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Review On Mar 22, 2005by Carl Berg
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As a fourth grade teacher who has taught chess in his classroom for eight years, and has been a rated chess player for over 30, I have found this book to be concise, easily understood, with each of the ten lesson plans covered in great detail. At the end of each lesson there is an exemplar which provides a self-challenge for the kids. These exemplars also gave me a clearer understanding of the material to be taught, allowing me to better focus myself upon the knowledge to be conveyed. Every teacher appreciates a well organized lesson plan! The analogies in the book kept the children engaged and interested. The book is so well laid out that many of my more eager learners read it on their own, and as one student exclaimed: "This book makes sense!" The book has helped to better focus my teaching time. I have also observed my students using the book on their own, which I have never seen before with other beginners chess books I've used before. As one who has often taken flak for teaching chess in the classroom, Mr. Bardwick's rubrics and standards located in Appendix A have been invaluable. Mr. Bardwick clearly knows his material and conveys it in a way that is both easily digestible for the chess teacher and easily relatable to the young chess student. I have enjoyed Mr. Bardwick's column in Chess Life Magazine over the years, and was therefore quite eager to purchase this book. I was excited to see that the same quality is found throughout this excellent chess teaching book.
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Review On Apr 14, 2005by Richard Cordovano of Colorado Springs, CO
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The genius of this book lies not in the material presented, but in how it is presented. The basics of chess are, after all, the basics of chess. They can be learned from any number of chess books targeted to chess novices. Where Bardwick's book shines is in his ability to wrap the most challenging concepts in delightful, kid-centric stories. For example, as someone who has run an after school K-8 chess club, I have struggled to make opening strategy lively for my students. Now I have a new tool at my disposal - Todd's absolutely original use of opening presents at Christmas time as a metpahor for developing the pieces! I also am delighted by the exemplars and class chess games/activities Bardwick presents. These are fresh, focused, and a lot of fun for the kids! The tips for chess teachers are excellent. Most chess teachers have to learn how to teach chess in the classroom by trial and error. This book will smooth out that process for you. Bardwick makes the wisdom he has gained through his own teaching experience yours for the taking. Finally, the illustrations are entertaining and the quotes at the beginning of each chapter are fantastic. Is there anything I would criticize?Sometimes a sentence or two runs on a bit. However, correcting this would be like flicking one last speck off a gleaming sports car. I would definitely recommend taking this book for a spin!
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Review On Apr 23, 2005by Robert Lewis of Aurora, CO
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Any teacher would be pleased to have this book in his/her collection. Bardwick explains how to teach chess in a classroom setting, regardless of the instructor's skill as a player, and incorporate basic math skills into the program.
The first two thirds of the book is a complete curriculum for chess, beginning with the basics of piece movement, and going right through to moderately-advanced checkmate patterns.
Each lesson is planned out to make the teacher's job easier (of course, changes could be made to better fit the individual teacher or student), and there are plenty of illustrations and examples (one on nearly every page!).
The last part of the book outlines how chess works with the standard math course of public schools. An example of a second grade curriculum guide is provided (more than half of the requirements and suggestions are introduced or reinforced by chess!), but it could be used for anyone of any grade level.
Bardwick shows great skill at taking his own chess program and converting it to text, along with great stories and metaphors the children can understand, relate to, and enjoy.
This is certainly not the most in-depth look at chess strategy ever written. If that's what you're looking for, try another book (there are many, on many different topics, but I can only suggest those for more advanced students of chess). But if you're a teacher, parent, or coach looking for a good way to teach chess or math (or both), then this is the book for you.
From now on, this will be what I use to introduce children to the rules and strategies of chess, whenever the opportunity presents itself. I strongly suggest you do the same. |
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