Submitted article
The Galion Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is extending student-learning experiences by sponsoring “Paws on Pawns,” an after-school chess club at the Galion Intermediate School. More than 50 students play what is considered the greatest historical game of competition from 3:45-4:45 p.m. every Thursday through March 26.
Weekly sessions begin with a 15-minute lesson about the game, and then students play chess for the remainder of the scheduled time. Adam Lehman and Bryan Summer serve as the club’s advisors and work with students to help them hone their skills.
“Chess requires students to use high level thinking skills for play strategy and defense,” Summer said. “We have several students from the Galion High School National Honor Society that are volunteering each week to help our students learn chess.”
Chess is an ideal supplement for cognitive learning. It also serves as a tool for developing social skills because it defies both language barriers and socio-economic status. Students have studied the history of chess and the features of the chess pieces. During each session, the students are introduced to new chess strategy moves.
“Although we have a lot of technology resources for chess, we decided to use real game boards and chess pieces,” Summer said. “We wanted students to have the opportunity to move their chess pieces and be engaged in a real game with a peer.”
“Paws for Pawns” is a member of the United States Chess Foundation, which generously donated 5 professional chess sets to the club. The Galion Elementary PTO purchased an additional 25 sets for students.
“This is an activity that is open to all students in the Galion Intermediate School,” Intermediate School Principal Cindy Parrott said. “We have noticed that chess has become a very popular game during indoor recesses.”
For more information about the Galion Elementary PTO “Paws on Pawns” chess club, please contact Bryan Summer at summer.bryan@galionschools.org or Adam Lehman at lehman.adam@galionschools.org.