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Tuesday, May 1, 2007
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Ancient Game Develops Math Skills, Character
By DAWN M. HENLEY/STAFF REPORTER
Wednesday, April 12, 2006 12:02 PM PDT
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Several students in Vincent Eisman's fourth grade class at Fair Oaks
play three advanced level games of Go. The larger the grid board, the
more complex the game. The students have progressed rapidly in their
level of playing ability. Dawn M. Henley/The Leader |
A
game that is approximately 3,000 years old is becoming newly popular
with some students at Fair Oaks Elementary School. The ancient game
called 'Go' is fairly simple to learn and has been introduced to the
students by fourth grade teacher Vincent Eisman.
"This year I
received a grant from the Oakdale Education Foundation to begin a Go
project in my class," said Eisman. "I believe this game has tremendous
potential for our students and possibly for our community. I had no
idea the game would catch on as it has."
So far, Eisman has
hosted two two-day tournaments for Fair Oaks fourth through sixth
graders during lunchtime, with kids signing up on a paper posted
outside his classroom door. In the first tournament there were 38
entrants from eight classes, and in the second, there were 42 kids from
nine classes.
"It is my hope that some day there will be not only a FOGO (Fair Oaks Go Club), but also OGO (Oakdale Go Club)," he said.
Eisman
said he wants to show a glimpse of the possibilities that exist for the
youth of the community. He also confesses to being very zealous about
the game.
"Initially, I began teaching Go to my students
because, like chess, it develops mental discipline and concentration,"
explained Eisman. "Unlike chess, though, there is only one kind of
piece and one kind of move (placing a stone on an empty intersection),
making it much easier to learn.
"I knew that playing Go also utilizes a number of math skills and application of traditional values of courtesy and respect."
Go
is purported to be wildly popular in Asia, much more popular than chess
is here in the West. Eisman said that in Korea, it's actually possible
to get a college degree in Go.
"In Japan the samurai used to
play the game for mental focus and today Japanese businessmen actually
use principles from the game to develop strategy for building
business," said Eisman. "Many of the players who play today are
scientists, mathematicians, computer programmers and engineers."
Go
is played on an empty grid. The two players take turns placing black
and white stones on the intersections, surrounding territory. The
further into the game one goes, the greater the complexity of play.
Eisman said the focus is on building oneself up rather than eliminating
the opponent, as in chess. He said that the rules of the game are
extremely simple, but mastering the strategy may take a lifetime.
Go
also has a ranking system that enables players to measure their growth.
Another benefit of the game is its handicap system, similar to that of
golf. Players of different skills (a range of 18 levels) can play
equally matched games, making it challenging and enjoyable for both of
them.
"The game contributes to the development of mathematics
skills, character development, and mental rigor," reported Eisman. "It
contributes to character development because the game has an inherent
etiquette code. Based on the traditional Japanese values of courtesy
and respect, this code promotes respect for seniors and elders,
expression of friendship before and after game play, and correct
posture...
"Players always end their play by thanking each other
for the game, usually initiated by the loser. It is funny, but the kids
often take on a different personality when playing the game. Whereas
you often hear accusations of cheating or expressions of disappointment
when playing other games, when they play Go they're very supportive and
tolerant of one another," he said.
Eisman explained that the
game involves a lot of counting to assess territory. That constantly
shifts, based on game play and how one's opponent responds. Players
also use geometry skills as they consider shapes, area and perimeter.
After the game, the players work together to count up a final score,
using number sense, grouping, and multiplication.
On another
level, at the beginning of the game, intuition and creativity are
required; while later in the game, evaluative and analytical thinking
are required.
Students like Fair Oaks fourth grader Jennifer
Balderas are also teaching the game to other peers, and many of them
are playing Go during recesses and lunchtime.
"When I heard
about Go, at first, I thought it would be boring, but then I found out
it wasn't. It was really fun and teaches you stuff about your
opponent," said Balderas.
"Everything about the game in terms of its benefit to the user only increases as the player improves," added Eisman.
To learn how to play Go online, visit the website http://playgo.to/interactive/. Or, for freeware for download, play Go against your computer at http://www.smart-games.com/igowin.html.
The Oakdale Leader
122 South Third Avenue, Oakdale, CA 95361
(209) 847-3021
Copyright © 2007 The Oakdale Leader. All rights reserved.
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