When Ted Komada started teaching 14 years ago at Kilip Elementary, he didn't know how to manage a classroom and was struggling to connect with students, he noticed a couple of days after school that a group of kid would get together to play chess. "I know how to play chess, let me go and show these kids how to do it," he said. Now, Komada coaches the school's chess team. The whole program started as a safe place for kids to come after school. And this week, dozens of those students are getting ready to head out to Nashville Tennessee to compete with about 5000 other young people at the Super Nationals of Chess. The competition only happens every four years, and the last time the team went, they won the third place in the nation. Komada says Chess gives him and his students control. The school has the highest number of kids from low-income families. Police frequent the area day and night. As 2 months ago, a young man was shot just down the street. Komada likes to teach his students that they should think about their move before they do it. The lessons proved valuable outside the classroom as well. Many parents see these lessons translate into the real world. Students are more likely to think about their actions and see whether they will lead to trouble.
adj. 基本的,初级的,元素的