Unmask the Lewis Chessmen interactive screenshot from National Museums Scotland. Courtesy National Museums Scotland
National Museum Scotland's Unmask the Lewis Chessmen interactive coincides with the touring exhibition, The Lewis Chessmen: Unmasked (until September 2011).
The new interactive resource called Unmask the Lewis Chessmen from National Museums Scotland has got us thinking about how you can use it within the framework of the new English primary curriculum.
Studying the Lewis Chessmen would bring together areas of learning for example, Historical, geographical and social understanding, Understanding the arts and Understanding English communication and languages.
Your pupils can explore how the game of chess has been shaped by the past and why people from different cultures - from the people of Ancient India to the Vikings - have used chess as a way to express their ideas and communicate meaning.
Historical, geographical and social understanding
The game of chess has its origins in Ancient India via the Islamic world and the Viking creators of the Lewis Chessmen adapted the design of their players to suit Christian Europe and Norse culture. For example, the sad-looking Queen refers to the Virgin Mary whilst the Rooks biting their shields look like the Viking berserkers (warriors) of Norse myth.
How about your pupils investigating the historical origins for the game of chess in more detail?
Pupils could look at the V&A's online collections showing elephants, horses and chariots that would have formed part of the Ancient Indian chess game and then design and make a chess piece based upon their research. Here are some good source examples for you:
The Wounding of Khan Kilan by Rajputs
Akbar's Adventures with the Elephant Hawa'i in 1561
The War Elephants Citranand and Udiya Collide in Battle
A watercolour of a horse-drawn chariot
The Battle Preceding the Capture of the Fort at Bundi, Rajasthan, in 1577
The Victory of the Imperial Mughal Army over Sultan Adam
Understanding the arts
There is scope for sculpture making within a Lewis Chessmen project. Pupils can use their online research to create their own chess pieces. National Museum Scotland's Lewis Chessmen Exhibition events include a making Chessmen soap workshop. This would make a great class activity too. Googling comes up with helpful 'how to' guides such as how to carve soap with a child.
More sculpture 'how to' guides can be found on Artisancam.
Understanding English communication and languages
There are storytelling opportunities in the various versions of how the Lewis Chessmen came to be hidden and National Museum Scotland's interactive, Unmask the Lewis Chessmen, outlines these for you and your pupils.
A screenshot of the NMS's Lewis Chessmen interactive showing links to the part the Vikings played in the creation of the pieces and a Viking Trading game
Get a closer look at the Lewis Chessmen
National Museum Scotland's website allows you to zoom into key Chessmen figures including the King and Queen.
You can also find out more about the Lewis Chessmen with A History of the World - the partnership between the British Museum and the BBC.
