Teacher's Notes: The King of Chess
Many words in this story have multiple meanings and ways to use them. You can teach one meaning and way that it is used in the story, but you can increase their familiarity with the word by covering its other meanings as well.
For example, “record” can be used in many senses – my dad’s old record player, the team’s record is good this year, he will record the wedding with his video camera, the reporter will record the day’s events in the newspaper, the office records were destroyed, etc.
“Point” is another example: point to the cat, my point is that he is lazy, what's the point?, the meeting was pointless, he scored three points.
With “spotlight,” you can show how the word is used literally and figuratively. A spotlight is a light that shines on a person on stage to emphasize them. But you can also say that he likes to be in the spotlight – that is, he likes to have everyone’s attention on him. It is this second example that appears in the story.
To teach the new words, you may want to use the example sentences in the Self Study. Add your own examples as well, and encourage your students to use the sentences to deduce the meaning of the new words.
New Words
saxophone
modest
brag
talent
chance
trophy
record (i.e., 3 to 2)
flawless
point (my point)
show up
slightly
single
flute
surrounded
nonstop
chatter
revolve
topic
annoyed
spotlight
glance
smirk
harden
tough
ignore
shot back
determined
suggest
set (a time)
crowd
wail
console
optimistic
close game
bury
grumpy
smug
casual
sputter
fool
challenge
conceited
back down
Worksheet Answers
Comprehension Questions: 1. Since he was three years old. 2. Because everyone's attention was on the new girl instead of him. 3. He plans to beat her at chess. 4. To look quickly. 5. His friend Jason. 6. She learned today after lunch. 7. She wanted to ask him to teach her how to play, but she changed her mind because he was so conceited.
Antonyms: modest – conceited, vain; tough – weak, wimpy; ignore – pay attention; optimistic – pessimistic; casual – formal; fool – genius
Synonyms: talented – gifted; chance – opportunity; flawless – perfect; slightly – a little bit; nonstop – constant, continuous; revolve – rotate; chatter – talking; tough – strong; (second set) suggest – recommend, advise; crowd – a big group of people; wail – cry, scream; console – comfort; casual – relaxed, not formal; fool – stupid person; conceited – stuck-up; modest – humble; topic – subject, theme; annoyed – irritated
Sentences: 1. bury, 2. close, 3. talent, 4. suggested, 5. consoled, 6. conceited, 7. trophy, 8. flawless, 9. chattering, 10. revolves, 11. annoyed, 12. smug, 13. slightly, 14. spotlight, 15. glanced, 16. brags, 17. set, 18. crowd, 19. optimistic, 20. chance, 21. tough, 22. casual, 23. grumpy, 24. fool, 25. wail, 26. ignore, 27. showed up, 28. modest, 29. topic, 30. record, 31. challenge, 32. surrounded
