I teach grade 4 at an international school. Last year I started a chess club. The principal didn't really think it would be successful. I was so successful that we needed to buy several more chess sets than what we had and lunch time in my classroom was crowded with kids learning, watching, playing and having a blast.

This year the principal has asked all primary teachers to come up with a club and we will have a club afternoon once a week.

I love playing chess and remember as a kid in primary school we used to have chess class a couple of times a week. I was a better player when I was 12!

Nonetheless, I think clubs are a good idea, especially chess for it's creative and critical thinking and planning.

Does anybody have any ideas for other clubs you have tried. When I was in Korea we never had any clubs and the kids didn't really seem interested.

Musically inclined teachers can do Pop song club (or just music club to have more freedom). Learn English songs, singing methods, basic rhythm, even musical theatre to an extent is possible.

Also dance club might be fun. I go to a dance hagwon and the students (who normally are not interested in English at all) are excited to relate it to what they already like doing. We have mini lessons on terminology in English (like marking, from the top, leap, stretch, point your toes, etc.). Lots of good verbs to use. This sort of club could be for any sort of sport really. English PE club!

Video game club - again, they're already interested in it, so there could be a club on English terminology in video games or something. I guess with elementary you'd have to be careful with appropriate material though.