I borrowed Coco can't wait by Taro Gomi (1993) from the Blagg-Huey Library (Texas Woman’s University) Denton - Children's Collection - Big Books to teach the “The Knights Can’t Wait ” activity from my book Science, Math, Checkmate: 32 Chess Activities for Inquiry and Problem Solving(Libraries Unlimited, www.lu.com, 2008, pp. 69-71) In its most straight-forward form, the plan The Knights Can’t Wait can be taught to first- through fifth-grade classrooms.

It could also be a library story time for primary or upper elementary children. In those grade levels, students will comprehend the story, learn life lessons from discussing it, and learn how a knight moves.

The plan was taught to the beginning and experienced groups. One of the experienced players said, “I love stories” and all the children seemed enthralled by the big book.

The advanced group was told to work on the solution to the "Stalemate Surprise" activity from Science, Math, Checkmate: 32 Chess Activities for Inquiry and Problem Solving during this past week. (Starting position White P on seventh rank with White K in front of it. Black K on g4. Black Q on g1. White to move). What happens on each different file that White sets up on?) I showed the answer to the K and P on the e-file on the demonstration board. Then I let the students practice the correct procedure with partners. We still have not discussed the solution for the other files as the students had not worked on it at home.