Teaching Educational Chess: Chess as a Tool for Learning, Focus, and Fun!

Schedule

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025 at 09:00 am to Sun, 02 Nov, 2025 at 07:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

2200 S High St, Bloomington, IN | Bloomington, IN

Advertisement
Thank you for RSVPing for our inaugural educational chess workshop, held over the weekend, November 1-2!
Chess is an educational tool you can use right now in your classrooms for instruction in mathematics, visual arts, social-emotional learning, literacy, and more. Not to mention, chess teaches students essential skills for life, such as multi-step thinking, pattern recognition, collaboration, communication, patience, impulse control, flexibility, creativity, and self-esteem. Kids need a vessel like the game of chess for growth and success in the 21st century.
SEE OUR FLYER FOR LOCATION AND TIME DETAILS! NOTE THERE IS ONLY SPACE FOR 20 ATTENDEES! RSVP QUICK!
This two-day workshop caters to many different students and professionals:
- Current PK-12 educators and paraprofessionals in public and private school settings
- Future educators at the IU School of Education, graduate and undergraduate
- Chess instructors and coaches in and around our community
- Youth programming leaders and staff at organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bloomington, Banneker Center, etc.
- ANYONE with an interest in best practices for teaching educational chess to children
Participants may opt to attend one or both workshop days, but to reap the full rewards, coming to both is critical.
- On Saturday, November 1 (9am-3pm), we discuss how to introduce the game of chess to children step by step, utilizing a variety of instructional materials, digital technologies, and minigames.
- On Sunday, November 2 (3:45-6pm), we discuss the numerous transdisciplinary benefits of chess in the classroom, how to best demonstrate those curriculum links in one’s day-to-day practice, and look at success stories from New York City, Chicago, South Africa, and more.
- Topics covered on both days feed off one another. If you attend Saturday but miss Sunday, you’ll be asking WHY. If you attend Sunday but miss Saturday, you’ll be asking HOW. You’d miss major pieces of the puzzle if you attend just one day. That’s why we strongly encourage you to carve out time for both days.
Participating fully in this workshop rewards you in many ways:
- For a cost of €10, receive an official International Chess Federation (FIDE) certificate of participation to hang on the wall in your classroom!
- Add your participation to your resume
- IU students: Ask us for a reference or letter of recommendation!
- Free entry for you or your child(ren) to attend Hoosier Chess Academy Sunday programs till January 2026
(We are working to submit this workshop for eligibility for PGP points. Stay tuned, and ask your admin!)
About the workshop director:
Ben Foley is a FIDE-certified Lead School Instructor who has taught chess for ten years (and counting!). He strongly believes in the value of chess as a tool for learning and growth in classroom settings worldwide. Currently, he’s a substitute teacher at MCCSC and soon will be a full-time classroom educator.
About Hoosier Chess Academy:
Hoosier Chess Academy (HCA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that runs chess programs, tournaments, and camps for people in the Bloomington region. In 2025-26, we serve approximately 150 students in chess enrichment programs across five school sites. We are a growing organization that is already a leader in chess enrichment in Southern Indiana.
Questions? Contact [email protected] or 812-318-2875. See you soon!
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

2200 S High St, Bloomington, IN, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Hoosier Chess Academy

Host or Publisher Hoosier Chess Academy

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Bloomington

Haunted Halloween Bar Crawl 2025 | Bloomington Halloween Weekend Crawl
Fri, 31 Oct at 07:30 pm Haunted Halloween Bar Crawl 2025 | Bloomington Halloween Weekend Crawl

TBA

HALLOWEEN PARTIES
Halloween Dance Party
Fri, 31 Oct at 10:00 pm Halloween Dance Party

207 S College Ave, Bloomington, IN, United States, Indiana 47404

CONTESTS
\ud83c\udf83\ud83d\udd25 RILEY\u2019S RIBS & RIDES \ud83d\udd25\ud83c\udf83 Presented by Sam\u2019s Club - Bloomington, IN
Sat, 01 Nov at 06:30 am 🎃🔥 RILEY’S RIBS & RIDES 🔥🎃 Presented by Sam’s Club - Bloomington, IN

Sam's Club (3205 W State Road 45, Bloomington, IN)

MUSIC CAR-SHOWS
10th Annual Smithville Holiday Bazaar
Sat, 01 Nov at 08:00 am 10th Annual Smithville Holiday Bazaar

7555 S Strain Ridge Rd, Bloomington, IN, United States, Indiana 47401

CHRISTMAS-MARKETS-AND-FAIRS HOLIDAY
Science Fest 2025
Sat, 01 Nov at 10:00 am Science Fest 2025

Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

FESTIVALS
Bloomington Create Your Very Own Mosaic Lamp in This Class
Sat, 01 Nov at 10:00 am Bloomington Create Your Very Own Mosaic Lamp in This Class

1710 N Kinser Pike, Bloomington, IN 47404

WORKSHOPS ART
Stretch into Serenity: A Morning of Yoga & Community
Sat, 01 Nov at 10:00 am Stretch into Serenity: A Morning of Yoga & Community

St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 3800 E 3rd St, Bloomington, IN 47401

HEALTH-WELLNESS YOGA
Stretch into Serenity: A Morning of Yoga and Community
Sat, 01 Nov at 10:00 am Stretch into Serenity: A Morning of Yoga and Community

St Thomas Lutheran Church

HEALTH-WELLNESS
Prodigy-in-Training Chess Meet
Sun, 05 Oct at 01:30 pm Prodigy-in-Training Chess Meet

Faith Lutheran Preschool

WORKSHOPS
2025 Ben Harris Scholastic (Featuring All-Ages Sections) (NEW DATE!)
Sat, 18 Oct at 08:00 am 2025 Ben Harris Scholastic (Featuring All-Ages Sections) (NEW DATE!)

2200 S High St, Bloomington, IN

SPORTS TOURNAMENTS
Hoosier Chess Circuit Matches
Sun, 19 Oct at 01:15 pm Hoosier Chess Circuit Matches

Faith Lutheran Preschool

SPORTS TOURNAMENTS
Teaching Educational Chess: Chess as a Tool for Learning, Focus, and Fun!
Sat, 01 Nov at 09:00 am Teaching Educational Chess: Chess as a Tool for Learning, Focus, and Fun!

2200 S High St, Bloomington, IN

WORKSHOPS TOURNAMENTS

What's Happening Next in Bloomington?

Discover Bloomington Events