Hi,

I've volunteered to teach chess in grades 3 - 5. I did a little bit
last spring, but it was hit-or-miss on the organization of the material.

Anyone with some advice on curriculum--topics, order of topics, depth of
topic, etc--please pass it along.

Michael

..

In article ,
Michael wrote:


I've volunteered to teach chess in grades 3 - 5. I did a little bit
last spring, but it was hit-or-miss on the organization of the material.

Anyone with some advice on curriculum--topics, order of topics, depth of
topic, etc--please pass it along.



After you cover the rules, I'd cover tactics. That's where kids tend to
make a lot of progress.

As for teaching the rules, I'm in favor of starting with the endgame and
adding pieces. For example, teach them K+Q vs. K. That will show them
how the K moves, how the Q moves, the fact that you can't move into
check, what check is, how to get out of check, and what checkmate is.
That's quite a lot to learn at once! Imagine how much more intimidating
it is to throw 32 pieces on the board and try to explain everything at
once.

Then, I'd do K+R+R vs. K, K+R vs. K, then maybe do a few where the
inferior side has a B or N just so they learn how those pieces move
(e.g., K+Q vs K+N or B).

Finally, introduce the pawn and all of its special rules, maybe by doing
K+P+P+P vs K to start with (so you don;t have to explain opposition).

--Harold Buck


"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

"Michael" wrote in message
.. .
Hi,

I've volunteered to teach chess in grades 3 - 5. I did a little bit
last spring, but it was hit-or-miss on the organization of the material.

Anyone with some advice on curriculum--topics, order of topics, depth of
topic, etc--please pass it along.

Michael

Some good sites:

http://www.academicchess.com/

http://www.professorchess.com/

http://www.chesskids.com/

Rich