In the 2024-25 Fair Grove school year, there was a new club added to Fair Grove Middle School. Checkers Club is open to students in grades 5-8, and meets every Friday, beginning after school and ending around 4:30.
Checkers Club is a great way for students to learn and play this classic game. Manda Hicks, 5th grade teacher, is sponsoring the new club. Each week, Mrs. Hicks brings the checker boards, and students meet in her room to play the classic 2-player game. Sometimes there would be many students to the point where they didn’t have enough boards for everyone to play. When this happens they will play a variety of other games.
For students who have never played checkers, the club introduces them to the rules of how to play. For those who do know how to play, the club presents an opportunity to practice and build their skills. Jensen Wilson (5) said,¨ A big part of Checkers Club is learning how to play checkers.¨ Leah Stewart (5) said, ¨ The most important thing of Checkers Club is playing checkers.¨
Checkers Club can provide opportunities to make new connections with the other students and create time with friends. Logan Stewart (5) stated ¨ My favorite part of Checkers Club was hanging out with all my friends.¨ Logan Stewart also stated that having fun is a big part of Checkers Club.
Not only is Checkers Club a fun way for students to interact in an extracurricular club, it also gives them the chance to improve critical thinking, and engage in friendly competition. Students spend time during the club simply playing the game against one another. Some members choose to practice outside of the club in order to try and improve their skills. To prepare outside of the club Stewart responded, ¨I play with my grandpa.¨
This new club offers middle school students a way to learn and practice a fun, simple game, while enjoying time with friends. Members mentioned how much fun they have during club meetings. For any middle school students who are looking for something fun, engaging, and somewhat challenging, Checkers Club is a good option.
Checkers Club is that it presents an opportunity for middle school students to find a place to have fun, have a sense of belonging, and create new friendships. Wilson stated, ¨In Checkers Club you get to feel like you belong somewhere.¨
