Chris Shaw and I are hosting a North American Youth Bridge Symposium on April 11th in Gatlinburg. 9:00 a.m. at the Edgewater Hotel we will meet with youth bridge teachers and organizors from all over the country to discuss youth bridge and create our 'wish list' of support we need to make, and keep, our programs successful.
Everyone please join us if you are in Gatlinburg and share your ideas!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Communicate and Push Forward
If you thought I'd dropped off the face of the earth...you we're just about right. After my last post I decided where to go...and I've been doing it.
A Yahoo Group has been established called Bridge Teachers for Youth http://groups.yahoo.com/group/btfy/. Anyone interested in Youth bridge is welcome to join, please feel free to pass the information and link along.
Just like the Bridge Teachers for Youth web site I created www.btfy.org, it is a group where youth bridge teachers can join and solicit help with problems, receive information about new projects and upcoming events, ask questions, bounce ideas and just find a broad shoulder to cry on if needed.
My non-profit Atlanta Junior Bridge has finished the 9 Week Middle School Curriculum we've been working on. The 550+ page curriculum is built for 9 weeks of 45 minute classes. It includes lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes, tests, practice hand records and instructions to run a duplicate game at the end of the course. It was created by an AJB teacher and his (retired school teacher) wife, with input from another AJB teacher and myself.
This was built to fit into the 'spots' I've been told all Middle Schools have called many different things Enrichment courses, Electives, Connection courses and probably many other names.
A week ago Friday I had a 'Teach Kids Bridge' seminar with many of the social and duplicate players I teach. The first portion was talking about how to teach bridge, how to teach kids bridge and the differences/problems they might encounter. The second portion was about this curriculum and the help AJB needed to get the curriculum into the hands of the Board(s) of Education for approval.
BridgeAtSchools http://www.bridgeatschools.org/ is interested and plans to partner with AJB in getting things started.
If any of you know of anyone who might be interested in the curriculum or the project...please pass the info along. AJB plans to offer this (free of course)to anyone who can use it as soon as we field test it a little and I finish linking all the individual files and creating a pdf.
My next several posts will probably be about the method I use to get the curriculum approved and ideas about funding the project long term.
A Yahoo Group has been established called Bridge Teachers for Youth http://groups.yahoo.com/group/btfy/. Anyone interested in Youth bridge is welcome to join, please feel free to pass the information and link along.
Just like the Bridge Teachers for Youth web site I created www.btfy.org, it is a group where youth bridge teachers can join and solicit help with problems, receive information about new projects and upcoming events, ask questions, bounce ideas and just find a broad shoulder to cry on if needed.
My non-profit Atlanta Junior Bridge has finished the 9 Week Middle School Curriculum we've been working on. The 550+ page curriculum is built for 9 weeks of 45 minute classes. It includes lesson plans, worksheets, quizzes, tests, practice hand records and instructions to run a duplicate game at the end of the course. It was created by an AJB teacher and his (retired school teacher) wife, with input from another AJB teacher and myself.
This was built to fit into the 'spots' I've been told all Middle Schools have called many different things Enrichment courses, Electives, Connection courses and probably many other names.
A week ago Friday I had a 'Teach Kids Bridge' seminar with many of the social and duplicate players I teach. The first portion was talking about how to teach bridge, how to teach kids bridge and the differences/problems they might encounter. The second portion was about this curriculum and the help AJB needed to get the curriculum into the hands of the Board(s) of Education for approval.
BridgeAtSchools http://www.bridgeatschools.org/ is interested and plans to partner with AJB in getting things started.
If any of you know of anyone who might be interested in the curriculum or the project...please pass the info along. AJB plans to offer this (free of course)to anyone who can use it as soon as we field test it a little and I finish linking all the individual files and creating a pdf.
My next several posts will probably be about the method I use to get the curriculum approved and ideas about funding the project long term.
Friday, January 8, 2010
What have we got going for us?
What advantages does the US have in promoting and creating an organized youth bridge effort.
Technology ... a huge advantage! I don't remember the exact numbers but in the US we have more computers and internet access in one major city than some countries have. Young, old and in-between e-mail and internet have become commonplace. Even my aunts in their 70's are computer literate as well as my 9 year old grandson. If we can contact all the people teaching bridge to kids; we do have a way to communicate information and help.
Sheer numbers. We have 160,000+ bridge players....all interested in engaging and involving youth in bridge. Included in those numbers are not only duplicate bridge players; but also parents, grandparents, friends and social bridge players.
Resources. Almost every ACBL district, unit and club is willing to support (in some way) youth efforts in their area. ACBL has funded School Bridge Lesson Program which offers some financial and physical support to individual teachers.
Dedication. There are at least 23 areas that have organized their local bridge players into providing a concerted effort to teach children bridge and provide them opportunities to play. I'm sure there are more I haven't found as yet.
With so many advantages...why can't we make this work?
Technology ... a huge advantage! I don't remember the exact numbers but in the US we have more computers and internet access in one major city than some countries have. Young, old and in-between e-mail and internet have become commonplace. Even my aunts in their 70's are computer literate as well as my 9 year old grandson. If we can contact all the people teaching bridge to kids; we do have a way to communicate information and help.
Sheer numbers. We have 160,000+ bridge players....all interested in engaging and involving youth in bridge. Included in those numbers are not only duplicate bridge players; but also parents, grandparents, friends and social bridge players.
Resources. Almost every ACBL district, unit and club is willing to support (in some way) youth efforts in their area. ACBL has funded School Bridge Lesson Program which offers some financial and physical support to individual teachers.
Dedication. There are at least 23 areas that have organized their local bridge players into providing a concerted effort to teach children bridge and provide them opportunities to play. I'm sure there are more I haven't found as yet.
With so many advantages...why can't we make this work?
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Where Next?
So what's next for Youth Bridge? Where do we go from here?
We know that learning bridge is good for kids academically and socially. We know that parents who learn bridge (or who already know how to play bridge) can find a new way to relate to their children in an intellectual and adult setting through bridge. We know that young players enjoy the chance for competition and travel that bridge brings them.
How do we match the child who wants to add playing bridge to his accomplishments with the opportunity to learn?
In the United States we have advantages and disadvantages to accomplish this goal. The single biggest disadvantage is geographic. The fact that many single states in the US are larger than most European countries creates an almost insurmountable problem for teachers trying to organize events, share information and communicate.
The ACBL has a web site for young players www.youth4bridge.org and the ACBL Education Department has a funded School Bridge Lesson program to provide some financial and material assistance for bridge players who teach youth classes. I have a website called Bridge Teachers for Youth www.btfy.org where I've tried to provide information and links to curriculums, tools and resources; but this is not enough. Even here in Atlanta we have our own set of geographic problems simply from the fact that with 14 working teachers, we still can't provide classes in every geographic area in Metro Atlanta. What we can do is provide physical support, supplies, training, and communication to our teachers; and learning and playing opportunities to our students.
How can we do that Nationwide?
The next several posts will look at some of our advantages and how we might get them to work for us.
We know that learning bridge is good for kids academically and socially. We know that parents who learn bridge (or who already know how to play bridge) can find a new way to relate to their children in an intellectual and adult setting through bridge. We know that young players enjoy the chance for competition and travel that bridge brings them.
How do we match the child who wants to add playing bridge to his accomplishments with the opportunity to learn?
In the United States we have advantages and disadvantages to accomplish this goal. The single biggest disadvantage is geographic. The fact that many single states in the US are larger than most European countries creates an almost insurmountable problem for teachers trying to organize events, share information and communicate.
The ACBL has a web site for young players www.youth4bridge.org and the ACBL Education Department has a funded School Bridge Lesson program to provide some financial and material assistance for bridge players who teach youth classes. I have a website called Bridge Teachers for Youth www.btfy.org where I've tried to provide information and links to curriculums, tools and resources; but this is not enough. Even here in Atlanta we have our own set of geographic problems simply from the fact that with 14 working teachers, we still can't provide classes in every geographic area in Metro Atlanta. What we can do is provide physical support, supplies, training, and communication to our teachers; and learning and playing opportunities to our students.
How can we do that Nationwide?
The next several posts will look at some of our advantages and how we might get them to work for us.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
What Happened?
One of the reasons we had so (relatively) few youngsters taking up bridge in the 70's, 80's and 90's was that their parents didn't learn and play bridge. Why not? Why did the most popular game in in the 50's and 60's start to lose it's popularity?
I think it was when every family had TV and then later video games, cable TV and computers. In the 30's and 40's very few families had TV's and even then there were at most 2 stations and in black and white. Reception was bad, limited programming etc. So TV didn't change people's options for entertainment all that much in the beginning. Families still relied on dinner parties, charades, family games for entertainment and socializing. Bridge (being such a fantastic game and perfect for inviting over another couple) was a big part of that social life.
Then came along color TV, more programming options and more TV stations. All of a sudden people could spend the evening watching TV in the comfort of their own home. Not only was it new, after the purchase of the TV, it was inexpensive and they didn't have to dress up and go out! This resulted in less instances of adults coming over to visit, having dinner and then playing cards....with the kids in the house looking over their shoulders to see what was going on and occassionally even play dummy.
By the 70's when video games and cable TV came along with even more entertainment options and then add computer games to the mix in the 90's...we were faced with a huge struggle to interest people in a card game!
The trend is changing though. Cable TV, video games and computers aren't 'new' anymore; they've lost part of their appeal. Youngsters (and adults) are looking for other ways to spend their leisure time. Families are looking for opportunities to spend time together. Fresh opportunities to challenge their mind and to display their intelligence and skill.
I know of only one game you never master. One game that presents new challenges, situations and puzzles every time you sit down to play.
You guessed it - Bridge!
I think it was when every family had TV and then later video games, cable TV and computers. In the 30's and 40's very few families had TV's and even then there were at most 2 stations and in black and white. Reception was bad, limited programming etc. So TV didn't change people's options for entertainment all that much in the beginning. Families still relied on dinner parties, charades, family games for entertainment and socializing. Bridge (being such a fantastic game and perfect for inviting over another couple) was a big part of that social life.
Then came along color TV, more programming options and more TV stations. All of a sudden people could spend the evening watching TV in the comfort of their own home. Not only was it new, after the purchase of the TV, it was inexpensive and they didn't have to dress up and go out! This resulted in less instances of adults coming over to visit, having dinner and then playing cards....with the kids in the house looking over their shoulders to see what was going on and occassionally even play dummy.
By the 70's when video games and cable TV came along with even more entertainment options and then add computer games to the mix in the 90's...we were faced with a huge struggle to interest people in a card game!
The trend is changing though. Cable TV, video games and computers aren't 'new' anymore; they've lost part of their appeal. Youngsters (and adults) are looking for other ways to spend their leisure time. Families are looking for opportunities to spend time together. Fresh opportunities to challenge their mind and to display their intelligence and skill.
I know of only one game you never master. One game that presents new challenges, situations and puzzles every time you sit down to play.
You guessed it - Bridge!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Youth North American Bridge Championship
The Youth NABC has become an annual fixture during the summer. 2008was in Atlanta. 2009 in Washington DC. 2010 is scheduled for New Orleans July 29th - 31st.
Young players from all over the world come to spend three days making new friends, seeing players that they might never have a chance to meet otherwise and enjoying the thrill of competition.
$1000 college scholarships are offered to the winners of the two major events and a Sportsmanship trophy and scholarship is given to the winner, who is elected by the young players.
I love to play bridge and I always hope to win; but like these youngsters the best part of bridge is seeing my friends, hanging out, catching up on their lives and making new friends.
One thing bridge offers (that I don't find anywhere else) is the opportunity to make friends with people from other parts of the North American and even other countries! There are a few people I only see three times a year, when I go to the NABC's, but I look forward to seeing them each and every time. I have ten days to talk and visit and enjoy every moment of their company.
I hope they feel the same about seeing me.
Young players from all over the world come to spend three days making new friends, seeing players that they might never have a chance to meet otherwise and enjoying the thrill of competition.
$1000 college scholarships are offered to the winners of the two major events and a Sportsmanship trophy and scholarship is given to the winner, who is elected by the young players.
I love to play bridge and I always hope to win; but like these youngsters the best part of bridge is seeing my friends, hanging out, catching up on their lives and making new friends.
One thing bridge offers (that I don't find anywhere else) is the opportunity to make friends with people from other parts of the North American and even other countries! There are a few people I only see three times a year, when I go to the NABC's, but I look forward to seeing them each and every time. I have ten days to talk and visit and enjoy every moment of their company.
I hope they feel the same about seeing me.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Their First Game
The first Saturday of every month Atlanta Junior Bridge has a sanctioned duplicate bridge game just for young players. One of the clubs donates their space, one of our teachers donates his time to direct and a local bridge organization pays the sanction fees.
We teach classes over the Metro Atlanta area and many of our students don't have an opportunity to see the other young players very often. We want to give the kids who have been playing a few years a chance to see their friends, play a game and generally just visit with each other. This also gives the new students coming along an opportunity to meet some of the more experienced youngsters, play in a game and learn about deportment, rules and how a game 'works'; all in a comfortable non-threatening environment.
I can't say enough nice things about the more experienced kids who come and play every 1st Saturday and welcome and encourage these new players.
This last Saturday's five table game was attended by two new players who had never played in a game and knew only one of the other players(a school mate). They were understandably nervous; new people, a new experience, only a few months of bridge and their bridge teacher wasn't able to be there. When I welcomed them and asked their names, they spoke so softly I could barely hear them.
Well, they came into the game and by about the third round they were talking, laughing and making friends. They plan on continuing their classes and are coming to the next game. The attitude of our existing players towards these newcomers determined what kind of experience they had - as it turned out, a great one!
By the way, the newcomers came in 1st in the beginner flight and won masterpoints!
We teach classes over the Metro Atlanta area and many of our students don't have an opportunity to see the other young players very often. We want to give the kids who have been playing a few years a chance to see their friends, play a game and generally just visit with each other. This also gives the new students coming along an opportunity to meet some of the more experienced youngsters, play in a game and learn about deportment, rules and how a game 'works'; all in a comfortable non-threatening environment.
I can't say enough nice things about the more experienced kids who come and play every 1st Saturday and welcome and encourage these new players.
This last Saturday's five table game was attended by two new players who had never played in a game and knew only one of the other players(a school mate). They were understandably nervous; new people, a new experience, only a few months of bridge and their bridge teacher wasn't able to be there. When I welcomed them and asked their names, they spoke so softly I could barely hear them.
Well, they came into the game and by about the third round they were talking, laughing and making friends. They plan on continuing their classes and are coming to the next game. The attitude of our existing players towards these newcomers determined what kind of experience they had - as it turned out, a great one!
By the way, the newcomers came in 1st in the beginner flight and won masterpoints!
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