Read the story below to learn why names are important. If you like the story, then head over to https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/lets-go-gizmo for the lesson plan and activity.
This lesson will focus on identifying the difference between a situation being on purpose or by accident. Children can think through different scenarios and ultimately decide if it’s worth knowing a person’s intention in each action. Then what next steps can you take after identifying a person’s intention. Teach the relevant vocabulary, read through the story, and then answer the questions on the lesson plan.
One bright morning, as Gizmo walked through the park, his eyes caught sight of a new face—a yellow lab named Kari playing soccer. With her sunny disposition and wagging tail, Kari bounded towards Gizmo, her excitement contagious.
“Hi there! I’m Kari,” she barked cheerfully, “What’s your name? Do you want to play soccer with us? We need another person on my team!”
Gizmo’s heart lept with joy at the prospect of making a new friend. Her energy was contagious. “I’m Gizmo! I’d love to join you,” he replied.
From that moment on, Gizmo and Kari became inseparable. They chased squirrels, played fetch, and shared stories of space adventures and sport’s games under the shade of a towering oak tree.
But there was one thing that puzzled Gizmo. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t seem to pronounce Kari’s name correctly. “Hey, Kari,” he would bark, only to hear Kari giggle and correct him gently.
“It’s CAR-EE, not Kerry, Gizmo,” she would say, her tail wagging in amusement. “My name is popular in my home country, Finland.”
Gizmo would feel embarrassed every time he said he name wrong. He didn’t understand why saying Kari’s name was so difficult for him. Kari was patient and understanding, always encouraging him to try again.
One day, as they were playing in the park, Gizmo mustered up his courage and practiced saying Kari’s name over and over again. “Kari, Kari, Kari,” he repeated, determined to get it right.
Suddenly, Kari’s ears perked up with excitement. “Gizmo, you did it! You said my name perfectly!”
Gizmo’s heart swelled with pride as he realized the importance of getting someone’s name right. Names were more than just words—they were a part of who someone was, a reflection of their identity and uniqueness.
From that day forward, Gizmo made sure to pronounce Kari’s name correctly every time he greeted her. And with each bark of “Hi, Kari!” their friendship grew stronger, filled with laughter, joy, and mutual respect.
Gizmo and Kari knew that their friendship was like the stars above—bright, beautiful, and everlasting. No matter where their adventures took them, they would always cherish the bond they shared, one bark at a time.
