Human Checkers

A game of checkers where students are the pieces on a 6 x 6 board taped on the floor. Each team decides its moves together, which builds strategic thinking, communication and spatial awareness.

How to play

1. Tape 2 boards of 6 x 6 squares, about 30 inches each, and mark the dark squares with an X (4 min, or set up ahead of time).
2. Make 4 teams of 6 in two pinnie colors; on each board, each team stands on the 6 dark squares of its first two rows. Explain the moves (2 min).
3. Teams take turns with 20 seconds to decide; the captain, who changes every move, announces who moves. A piece moves one square diagonally forward to an empty square.
4. A capture happens when an opponent is diagonal and the square behind is empty: walk around the outside of the board to get there. The captured player steps off and becomes a team advisor.
5. A piece that reaches the far row is kinged: they add a second pinnie and may move diagonally backward. Games last 6 min, then switch opponents (12 min).
6. Wrap-up (2 min): each team shares one move that worked.

Rules

• Safety: never jump over a classmate; walk around.
• Once a player steps onto a square, the move is final.
• Advisors whisper only to their own team during its 20 seconds.
• Only the player named by the captain moves.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student serves as permanent captain or moves a cone on a small side board.
• Visual impairment: mark dark squares with raised tape and have a partner guide by the arm.
• Shy students: suggest moves by writing or pointing instead of speaking out loud.

Learning goals

• Anticipate the other team's moves and plan their own.
• Navigate space with diagonal movements.
• Make team decisions by listening to every idea.

Equipment for a class of 25

• masking tape: 3
• colored pinnies: 30

Teacher tip

If your floor has tiles, use them as squares and skip the taping. Stick to the rotating captain so the same few students do not make every call.

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