Objective:

1) The student will understand the proper chess board orientation and draw correct number of squares.

2) The student will sort and classify two and three-dimensional figures according to shape.

3) The student will identify the chess pieces and their correct names.

Method:

1) Teacher demonstrates correct orientation of chess board, students reciprocate on their board.

2) Teacher identifies each chess piece according to shape and colour, student are to select and handle the chess pieces. Students are to hold up each chess piece so that the teacher can ensure correct identification has been made.

3) Handout the graphics sheet "Chess pieces" (see: Chess pieces). Students correctly identify the name and attributes of the chess piece wih the number as follows:

King - 6, Queen - 5, Rook - 4, Bishop - 3, Knight - 2, Pawn - 1.

4) Students then fold the paper in half. Trace the pieces on the back of the paper. Print the correct name under each piece.

5) Give students a copy of the blank alphanumeric chess board (see: Chessboard). Students are to draw eight lines vertically/horizontally with a ruler to comprise a chess board of 64 squares. Note: lines are to be drawn between the letters and the numbers through the length and width of the chess board.

6) Student to put his/her name on the sheet(s) and hand in for marking.

7) Teacher to observe and check student performance for accuracy, may use anecdotal record and/or checklist.

Content:

The playing board consists of 64 checkered squares. The chessboard is aligned with the white corner square on the players right. In pairs, students correctly align the chess board between them.

(Mnemonic device: remember "white on the right".)

On the blank chess board (see: Chessboard) students are to draw eight lines vertically/horizontally with a ruler to comprise a chess board of 64 squares.

There are 32 chess pieces - 16 white, 16 black. Students sort the pieces by colour. They can then pick them out and handle them one at a time as teacher demonstrates and identifies each piece by name.

Each side has: eight (8) pawns - the smallest pieces; two (2) knights - shaped like a horse; two (2) bishops - which look like big pawns; two (2) rooks - which look like a tower or a castle; one (1) queen - a tall piece with a crown; and one (1) king - the tallest piece often with a cross on its head.

Handout the graphics "Chess pieces". Students correctly identify the name and attributes of the chess piece wih the number as follows:

King - 6, Queen - 5, Rook - 4, Bishop - 3, Knight - 2, Pawn - 1

Follow up:

Introduce students to the ChessMateOntario website (http://www.chessmateontario.ca).

Demonstrate how to navigate the website and Student Resource Page - point and click with mouse to explore. (Guided exploration)