by Chris Shaw, Carlinville IL
The Youth Bridge Education Organization (YBEO) is a new organization devoted to teaching and promoting our game to young people. District 8's Chris Shaw is one of the founders. Here's his report of some of the activities being sponsored by YBEO.
Residential 6-Day Youth Bridge Camp. Bridge instructions are given at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels for two hours in the morning and two more in the afternoon. The campers have an hour and a half of indoor and outdoor recreational activities in the morning and another hour and a half of swimming at the lakefront beach in the afternoon. Evenings are a Sectional tournament time for 2 hours. The day ends with "surprise" activities such as making your own ice cream sundae, a hay ride to a bonfire to make smores, cookies and sodas, and pizza night.
Student Standardized Test Score and Learning Bridge Research. The original study in 2001 found that students who learned bridge in 5th grade showed higher gains than their non-bridge classmates in a 5 subject areas of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Learning Bridge helps students develop their inferential reasoning skills that are used in all subject areas. A similar study is underway for sixth grade classes in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa Middle where Bridge is offered as a 9-week enrichment class during the school day. The results will be available in 2013.
Interscholastic Bridge Competition. The 5 middle schools in Effingham County, Illinois have after-school bridge club teams that are coached by school teachers. They are helped by local duplicate bridge players. During the winter, each school hosts a tournament. Every student gets to play every hand. The funding for this program is provided by grants received from the American Contract Bridge League's Educational Foundation. The students are learning a life-long recreational skill at no cost to the schools. This program started its 5th year in September.
“Teach the Teachers” Program. This activity is a 25-hour seminar that teaches school teachers how to play Bridge and how to teach Bridge to Youth. Those who complete the course earn 25 Continuing Professional Develop Units that they need to maintain currency of their teaching certificate. There is no tuition for this program, only a pledge from them to start an after-school bridge program for which they can receive a stipend for their efforts if they apply for a grant. The equipment needed will be provided without cost.
Distance Learning for the “Teach the Teachers” program. An initial meeting was held with the College of Education and Human Services of Western Illinois University. Plans are being made to use their “STAR-Online system to deliver bridge lessons to school teachers over the internet. Teachers will earn CPDU’s or graduate credits when they complete the module and attend an all day seminar. Participation is not limited to Illinois.
"Teaching Youth Bridge." A program is 2-hour seminar for bridge teachers that explains the differences encountered when a Bridge teacher who teaches adults tries to teach students ages 10 to 15. It is offered at Regional Bridge tournaments at no cost to the participants.
“Math through Bridge.” This power point presentation links the Standards and Expectations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics to learning bridge. It was presented at their national conference in San Diego in April 2010.
Meetings with School Officials. Folders with more that 20 items related to Youth Bridge are presented to Superintendents at Regional Office of Education meetings. Materials are provided to teachers from information booths at their In-Service program days. Presentations are made to organizations such as the Rural Education Association and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
If you would like to help pass on the legacy of bridge, your time, talent or treasure are needed. The Youth Bridge Education Organization has been approved by the IRS as a 501-c-3, so all donations are tax-deductible. You can help the cause by sending your donation to YBEO, 17253 Cottonwood Lane, Carlinville, IL 62626-9225
Chris will be one of the presenters at the Youth Bridge Symposium, to be held April 11 in Gatlinburg TN. More information on the symposium and other bridge programs for children and teens are on the Bridge Teachers for Youth web site.