playground

Everyday

1. A playground is a place outside where children play, with swings, slides and climbing frames. tree →
2. A school playground is the yard where pupils play at break. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: a place where children are counted or move in and out; its area or perimeter. In everyday life and safety: taking turns on the swings, playground rules. In school: recess (USA) or break time (UK) in the playground. In stories: making new friends in the playground.

Examples

• There are 20 children on the playground. tree →
• 5 children left the playground. tree →
• The playground is 30 meters long. tree →
• It has 4 swings and 2 slides. tree →
• Take turns on the slide. tree →
• We play tag in the playground at break time. tree →
• Wear shoes on the playground. tree →
• A new playground opened in our park. tree →
• Tell a teacher if someone is hurt in the playground. tree →
• One morning, when the prince had done his lessons, he ran out to call his friend, and they both hurried off to the lawn which was their usual playground. tree →

Note

A place, not a number. Children coming and going: add and subtract. Trap: the size of the playground is a measure, not a count. Americans often say «on the playground», the British «in the playground». Safety: no pushing on climbing frames; wait until the swing stops before walking past.