Pawns in their own game
Kids learn chess, theater at North Branch Library
10:21 AM CST on Thursday, November 19, 2009
Participants are learning more than how to play chess in the Living Chess Game class at North Branch Library.
The 12-week program has also been teaching youngsters about the various aspects of a musical theater performance. The program ends with a performance Tuesday.
The children helped write the show’s songs and script, chose the theme for the performance and decided how the living chess pieces would move.
“This is mainly a show that has been created by these students,” said program instructor Alexey Root.
Root, a former high school teacher and 1989 U.S. women’s chess champion, now uses her chess skills to promote learning.
She has hosted chess clubs at area schools and has written books on using chess as tool to teach children other skills.
This group consists of homeschooled children ages 7-14.
Throughout the course, Root introduced participants to a variety of themed chess sets —from the more traditional to the more contemporary, she said.
The students chose to re-create the Super Mario Bros. Chess Set for their presentation.
The Living Chess Game performance will be at 4 p.m. Tuesday at North Branch Library, 3020 N. Locust St.
For more information, call 940-349-8752.
—Rachel Mehlhaff
Very cool!
Schnaggeldibubs!