Nina watched the other second graders run outside.
Their parents were picking them up.
But Nina's mom worked late.
So Nina was going to Kids Central.
Nina walked into the gym.
She wished she could go home and play in her backyard.
A big banner over the windows read "After-School Fun & Games @ Kids Central!"
Nina didn't see anyone she knew.
She felt nervous.
"Oh, there's my name."
Nina spotted a name tag with her name on it and sat down.
Izzie was excited to be at Kids Central.
But her name tag was wrong.
"Isabel?" Izzie read. "I'm Izzie, not Isabel!"
Izzie looked at the boy next to her.
"You must be Jason."
"Welcome, everyone! Please find your seat," Miss Shelly called.
Miss Shelly was the Kids Central teacher.
Nina thought she had a nice smile.
"Today we're going to decorate name tags," Miss Shelly said.
A tall boy sat down next to Nina.
He didn't say hello.
But his name tag said "BOBBY."
"Look through the magazines on your table.
Cut out pictures of things you like," Miss Shelly said.
"For example, Nina, what do you like?" Miss Shelly asked.
Nina smiled.
"I like the color purple and I like my rain boots," she answered shyly.
"Nice! Jason, what do you like?"
Miss Shelly waited. "Jason?"
Izzie poked Jason's arm.
"He likes video games," she said.
"Jason, we don't play video games at Kids Central.
Please put that away." Miss Shelly sounded serious.
"Besides video games, what do you like?"
Jason looked up. "Cheeseburgers."
"Great! Start cutting!" Miss Shelly pointed to the magazines.
"Please pass me that magazine," Nina said.
"Please pass me those scissors," Bobby said.
Izzie waved her hand in the air.
"Miss Shelly? I need a new name tag.
Only my grandma calls me Isabel.
Everyone calls me Izzie."
"I'm sorry! You can make a new name tag."
Miss Shelly handed her some stiff paper.
"Punch two holes in the top." Izzie punched.
"Then write your name in big, beautiful letters.
Now take all the pictures you cut out.
Glue them onto your name tag.
You can glue them on the front, on the back, or on both sides!
When you're done, choose a piece of yarn.
Thread it through the holes on your tag.
Ta-da! Your name tag becomes a necklace!"
Miss Shelly tied her name tag around her neck.
"You could also hang it on your bedroom doorknob."
"Nina, your mom's here," Miss Shelly called.
Nina looked surprised. "Is Kids Central over already?"
"Yep. Time to go home, sweetie," her mom said.
"Bye, Miss Shelly!" Nina ran to her mom.
"Look what I made!"
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