Check mate!

    This week, as part of our studies of the middle ages, the Spirits had an introduction to chess from Mrs. Head and the Narwhals. Chess can tell us a lot about the way people lived in medieval times, and as we studied the chess pieces and how they are used we realized that chess is a miniature history of medieval life: from the pawns who represent the peasants and laborers in the fields, often sacrificed to allow the landowners to escape harm; to the rooks or castles who provide refuge; to the bishops who represent the mighty church; and to the all-important king, whose surrender would mean the loss of the kingdom (and the game). We have a lot of avid chess players among the Spirits, and it is NOT TOO LATE for them to join the chess club!