Tony and I were scheduled to give our demonstration game in the students lunch hour, from 12.50 until 1.30 pm. After arriving by 12.30pm and signing in etc, we were met by Sharon, the teacher that Tony had been liaising with over the past month in order to get the demonstration game up and running.

We were due to give our demonstration game in the school library, and on the way down there I enquired about how many students had shown interest in attending our demonstration game. Sharon indicated the around 15 student had indicated interest, which both Tony and I thought was good.

Upon our arrival at the library, Tony and I met the librarian (whose name escapes me at the moment), who also happened to be the orgainser of the school chess club. Tony and I were introduced, and we all exchanged pleasantries. Tony and I had prepared a number of "kits" for the teachers to give out to the kids. The kits included, score sheets, tile tracking sheets, two and three letter word lists. We also presented the teachers with a couple of copies of a CD that included all of the above material as well as application forms to join ASPA NSW, the Western Scrabble Network as well as some word checking software.

Time was moving fast and in just 5 minutes the bell would ring and all of the interested students would be descending upon us. I must say, as Tony and I were setting up the table with our equipment, I was feeling a little nervous as the clock moved closer to 12.50.

Ring Ring, Ring Ring, there was the bell in the background, Tony and I were ready and before we knew it our table was just about surrounded by students. Tony started by introducing both of us and started by asking a few questions of the students generally about their existing knowledge of Scrabble, and we got a lot of keen replies.

Tony and I started the game, we had a lot to get through, because we wanted to illustrate the many aspects of the game, as well as engage the students in bit of discussion including getting them to participate in the game as we went along.

Tony had a great idea to split the group of students into two, with each group taking sides and ownership of each player and cheering for them as we went along. After we drew tiles to see who went first, I encouraged the students close to me to draw some tiles for me, and we were away.....I played a four letter word....I think it was "firm".....as my opener.....and straight away Tony played his tiles and illustrated perfectly the value of the two letter words, in addition to the aspect of parallel play by making I think 4 words in total, directly beneath my word.

My nervousness had died down and all of the kids were making suggestions as I shuffled my rack. Tony and I exchanged a couple more three letter words for our next couple of turns..we were neck and neck....around 60 points each....then Tony plays "glories", and including the bonus 50 points scored around 75....and you should have heard the kids....they were yelling and cheering.....you would not have though that we were in a library.

I had on my rack "A?LAGRE", and whilst asking the students on "my" side what I should play and one of them mentions to me that I could play REGAL leaving me with the A?....so as I shuffle them around I pointed out that if I made the blank I had an "I", I could play "regalia". Then as quick as a flash someone says "why don't you use the "I" from glories and make my blank a "s". So that's what I did, I played "REGALIAS" an 8 letter word.....I declared my score.....and with the announcement that I had score 82....and had overtaken Tony, you could have sworn we were at a world cup rugby match with all the cheering etc.

It was at this point that Tony though he would challenge my word....and illustrate to the kids how we look up words as well as improve our referencing skills. A couple of turns later, I was getting some very nice racks and was able to make a "Z" play for around 50.....whilst Tony changed his tiles.....and then I played a second bingo...."SOLVENT" I recall.....to give me a lead of around 100 points or so.

It was at this stage that I had relaxed a little and was very much enjoying the interaction with the students...and whilst there was a lot of open discussion about racks etc....and Tony and I were not really playing a proper tournament game.....it was great to see all of the kids so keen and involved.

The teachers were taking a couple of photo's for the school newsletter.....and before we knew it.....the 1.30 return to class bell had rung....and the kid were starting to drift away as Tony and I were playing our last words and clearing our racks.

After the game the hush of the library had returned, and we had a debrief with the teachers, and to our surprise an additional 15 or so students had signed up for the Scrabble sessions to be run at lunch time. That meant a total of 25 or 30 students were interested.

I guess when I went into this I just wanted to illustrate the virtues of the game, but I have to say that I really enjoyed it. Tony and I both left with quite a high, and felt that we had done something to advance the game of Scrabble within our area. Within 40 minutes of play were had managed to engage the students in discussion and illustrated how to score, how to draw and change tiles, how to make use of parallel play, how to make a bonus word, how to challenge, the use of clocks, and how to check all the tiles were there at the end.

In New South Wales there is a network of school Scrabble coordinators. I would encourage those interested to contact their local coordinator. I feel that we have done Scrabble a great service, and I am keen to keep offering Scrabble support to Blaxland high in the future as well as any other schools.

Cheers

Mark Smith

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