Diamond Chess is proud to offer our specialized chess curriculum classes.
These classes are taught in schools during class time with homeroom teachers present.
The lessons are mandatory for every student in the class, allowing us to reach even those students who would otherwise never be provided with such an opportunity.
The teacher’s presence during the class enables him or her to reinforce lessons throughout the rest of the week.
STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SDP):
This is taught in both elementary schools (Junior and Senior primary) and in junior and senior secondary schools (JSS & SSS). Classes are taught by trained instructors who are accustomed to teaching a wide range of levels – from the beginner student to the most knowledgeable enthusiast. The instructors are educators, and also chess players.
These structured programs are designed to relate directly to elements of the regular curriculum.
Lessons concurrently emphasize life skills such as goal setting, making & adjusting plans, persevering after setbacks and thinking before acting.
Most schools offer both curriculum chess classes and extra-curricular chess clubs. While the curriculum class is a mandatory program delivered within regular class time, it seldom reaches students in every grade. An extra-curricular club ensures that chess lessons are available to any child desiring them.
Diamond Chess Curriculum offers a unique method of chess instruction, and was developed with two primary objectives in mind:
To ensure that learning chess is accessible to everyone.
To use chess as a tool to help improve academic and life skills.
Thinking Different
Thinking Different technique is an in-class enrichment program for schools. Children develop a wide range of life skills that will have a lasting effect on their personal growth and ability to interact socially, including goal setting, knowledge sharing, maturity, and responsibility.
The curriculum is taught both elementary schools (Kindergarten to primary 6) and in junior and senior secondary schools (JSS1-SS3). Curriculum classes are typically held once a week and can run throughout a school term.
While it has been well documented in research that simply playing chess can improve life skills, it is our specially developed method that goes further by addressing them directly. The Thinking Different technique uses a variety of activities alongside chess instruction to make learning fun. Activities can include drama and improvisation, guided imagery, physical activities, unique creative assignments, group discussions and challenges, and chess is used as the common thread in every activity. Relevant worksheets and workbooks allow for an enriched learning experience. This variety of activities and focus on developing life skills is what makes our program so special.