Watch: Episode 12: ‘Mission shh!’ on ABC iView or download from the ACTF Shop.

The Knee High Spies need to work together as a team and sneak into the playroom and shut down Glitch’s Noise Maker machine before it wakes cousin Milo from his afternoon nap.

After watching the episode  from Knee High Spies, hold a class discussion using the following questions:

• Did the Knee High Spies work well together to solve the problem? Why?
• How did they show great teamwork? For example, encouraging one another, speaking kindly, communicating clearly, using each other’s strengths.
• Did Silver Paw and Pransky show good teamwork? Why or why not?
• Can you think of a time when you were a good team member?
  

Encourage students to give examples from the episode and from their own experiences. Highlight key teamwork skills such as communication, encouragement, cooperation and problem-solving.

Explain to students that they are going on a teamwork mission.

Before beginning, discuss and model ways to communicate non-verbally, such as:

• Using hand gestures
• Pointing
• Comparing heights back-to-back
• Using hands to show “taller” or “shorter”
  
  

After the activity, briefly reflect:

• What helped you work as a team?
• What was challenging about not speaking?

Prior to the lesson, print and cut out the pieces of the knee high spies puzzle. 

Shuffle the pieces and give each student one piece.

• If there are fewer pieces than students, some students can work in pairs.
• If there are extra pieces, some students may complete a second turn. 

[INSERT PUZZLE]

Step 1: Mission Briefing

Gather students in a circle and follow this script:

Hold up one puzzle piece.

Step 2: Teamwork planning

Before beginning, ask:

• “What will good teamwork look like during this activity?”
• “What should we do if someone is unsure where their piece goes?”
• “How can we help without grabbing?”

Encourage students to: Listen to others, speak kindly, raise a hand to help, take turns, and give helpful suggestions.

Model supportive language students can use:

• “I think your piece might go near the corner because…”
• “Can we turn it around and try again?"
• “That matches the blue part here.”
• “Good try! Let’s look at the edges.”

Step 3: Building the puzzle

Students sit in a circle.

Explain the process clearly:

1. One student at a time brings their piece to the middle.

2. They explain their thinking before placing it:

• “I think my piece goes here because it has a straight edge.”
• “I can see part of a face, so maybe it matches here.”

3. If unsure, they may ask:

• “Can someone help me?”

If a student is unsure, encourage classmates to raise their hands and offer supportive suggestions.

To deepen thinking, ask:

• “What clues can you see on your piece?”
• “Does your piece have a straight edge or a corner?”
• “What colours match?”
• “Where do edge pieces usually go?”
• “Who hasn’t had a turn to help yet?”

Step 4: Mission Debrief

Once the puzzle is complete, gather students to reflect:

• How did we work together as a team?
• What did we do well?
• How were we like the Knee High Spies?

Emphasise that teamwork involves helping, listening, encouraging and solving problems together. 

Finish with this script:

You may encourage students to ask their friends if they would like a high five.