FILM-RELATED WEBSITES
Brooklyn Castle
In addition to information on the film, the website includes a guide to creating an afterschool program and ways to support I.S. 318's chess team.
I.S. 318
The school featured in the film has a website. For a website that offers more information on the chess team, see www.is318.com.
RESOURCES
Teacher Resources
America's Foundation for Chess
America's Foundation for Chess runs a program known as "First Moves" geared to 2nd and 3rd graders that will serve approximately 100,000 kids this coming school year. The organization instructs public school teachers on how to teach chess.
National Scholastic Chess Foundation
The National Scholastic Chess Foundation advocates for chess as a component of quality education in schools across America. The foundation also provides financial support for national tournaments and scholarships, along with resources for teachers and a kids' instructions section.
Schools
Afterschool Alliance
Afterschool Alliance offers a range of resources (including research) related to establishing rich and vibrant afterschool programs nationwide.
Citizen Schools
The organization Citizen Schools arranges for volunteers to be "citizen teachers" and mentors to middle school students in urban areas.
Chess
Chess-in-the-Schools
One of the organizations featured in the film, this New York City nonprofit serves inner-city public school children. The site includes specific, research-based explanations for the positive link between chess and academic success.
Chess Kid
On this site, children can learn chess and play for free.
United States Chess Federation
In addition to player rankings, the site includes official rules, a history of the game and a glossary.
Books Recommended by the Filmmaker
Root, Alexey W. Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators. Santa Barbara: Libraries Unlimited, 2006.
Children and Chess: A Guide for Educators is the first book to show the connection between accepted educational theories and chess. It features lesson plans that teachers can use immediately, and from which they can learn the basics of the game. Since the plans meet academic goals through chess, teachers also learn that chess can be a part of reading, math, science, and social studies.
Root, Alexey W. Thinking with Chess: Teaching Children Ages 5-14. Boston: Mongoose Press, 2012.
Thinking with Chess is a handbook for teachers, librarians, after-school instructors, chess coaches, counselors, and parents that requires no prior knowledge of the game. Both novices and veteran chess players can use its innovative lesson plans for teaching groups of children.