Chess Champions
Suggested Time: 60
minutes
Overview
Students will play a game designed to teach young students the basic
moves of Chess pieces, then dress up as Chess characters and play an
active life-size game.
Vocabulary
- Chess
-
Queen
-
King
-
Rook
-
Bishop
-
Knight
-
Pawn
-
Check
-
Checkmate
-
Strategy
Objectives
- Students will learn a complex strategy game using interactive, fun,
and accessible methods.
-
Students will gain critical thinking skills that are directly
applicable to math and science problems.
Next Generation Science
Standards
- LS1-4. Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data;
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
-
PS1-6. Asking Questions; Planning and Carrying Out Investigations;
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
Common Core Mathematical
Standards
- OA. Operations and Algebraic Thinking
-
G. Geometry
Required Project
Materials
- No Stress Chess. Game with playing cards available at
http://www.amazon.com/Winning-
Moves-1091-Stress-Chess/dp/B0007Q1IO4/ref=pd_sim_b_1?
ie=UTF8&refRID=14C4ZXTYFVADBKFG4945
-
MegaChess board (life size chess boards and blankets are available for
sale at http://
www.megachess.com/ChessBoards_s/1818.htm
or can be rented from a local company)
-
Chalk can also be used to draw an 8X8 grid with alternating white and
black squares on cement
-
Crowns and other dress-up props (or students can bring their own)
-
Badges with fun designs such as the Chessboard Mini Button
http://www.cafepress.com/
+chessboard_mini_button_10_pack,197599020 (optional)
Multimedia Resources
- Checkmate at Chess City. Piers Harper.
http://amzn.com/076362165X
-
Chess for Children: How to Play the World’s Most Popular Board
Game . Murray Chandler.
http://amzn.com/1904600069
-
“The Magic of Chess.” chesskid.com. Video (13.13) at
http://www.chesskid.com/video/ player/the-magic-of-chess
Optional Multimedia
Resources
Before the Lesson/ Background
Information
- If possible, contact a local Chess Coach and arrange for them to
assist with the lesson.
Homework from Previous
Session:
-
Have students dress up or come prepared to dress up as Chess
characters.
The Lesson
Part 1: Learning Basic Moves (20
mins)
- Announce to the students that they have entered Chess Academy!
-
Show “ The Magic of Chess.” Interact with the students,
pausing the video to allow the students to practice moving each piece.
-
Use basic geometric concepts to describe moving the pieces, such as
“square” and “diagonal”.
-
Separate the students into groups of four to play No Stress
Chess. Two students will play at a time with two observers. Then they
will switch places so that everyone gets a chance to try. This game is
designed to teach the moves of the game without having to worry about
all of the other rules of Chess.
Part 2: Chess Champions (40
mins)
- Read Checkmate at Chess City with the students.
-
Move outside or to a large open indoor space. Lay out the life-size
chess board or draw chalk squares on the cement floor. Make sure the
grid is 8X8 with alternating white and black squares like a Chess
board.
-
Have students position themselves as pieces. If you don’t have enough
students, the adults should participate, or you can substitute objects
or life-size chess pieces for some of the pawns. If you have too many
students, have some students stand off to the side as Referees. They
will be responsible for making sure everyone moves correctly.
-
Use Chess for Children: How to Play the World’s Most Popular
Board Game for further interactive instruction. Alternatively,
depending on the academic level of the students, you can continue to
use the cards from No Stress Chess to dictate moves.
-
If possible, have a local Chess Coach help with this lesson.
-
Finally, graduate the students and ordain them as Chess Champions. If
you have badges, hand them out to the graduates.