Izzy Gizmo Assembly for Primary Schools – Perseverance & Keeping Going
Updated: Sep 21
This Izzy Gizmo assembly for primary schools uses the popular picture book by Pip Jones and Sara Ogilvie to explore the value of perseverance. Through Izzy’s attempts to invent, fix and create, pupils consider why things do not always work first time and why it is important to keep trying when something is difficult.
Children reflect on their own experiences of perseverance and think about how encouragement can help others to keep going.
This ready-to-use resource is part of our Books & Stories assemblies, using engaging children’s literature to explore values and meaningful questions with primary-aged children.
What is Izzy Gizmo about?
Izzy Gizmo tells the story of a young inventor who loves creating gadgets and machines.
Her inventions do not always work as planned, but Izzy learns that mistakes and setbacks do not have to mean giving up. With encouragement from her grandad, she continues experimenting, adapting and trying again.
The story gives children an accessible example of perseverance because Izzy experiences something familiar: trying hard at something and discovering that it still does not work.
Our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools use stories such as Izzy Gizmo to help children explore values through memorable characters, choices and experiences.
How does Izzy Gizmo teach children about perseverance?
Perseverance is the central value of this assembly.
Children are introduced to the world of inventions before sharing the story. Key vocabulary including inventor, gadget, glitch, dismantle and tinker helps prepare pupils for the language they will encounter.
Afterwards, children consider why Izzy kept going rather than giving up and why her grandad continued to encourage her.
The message is simple: perseverance does not mean finding everything easy. It means continuing when something is difficult, learning from mistakes and being prepared to try again.
This makes Izzy Gizmo particularly useful for a primary school assembly about perseverance, resilience or developing a positive attitude towards learning.
Why is encouragement important when we are persevering?
Izzy does not persevere entirely on her own. Her grandad encourages her when her inventions go wrong.
The assembly asks children to consider why that encouragement matters and helps them think beyond their own perseverance.
What can we do when somebody else is struggling? Can our words encourage someone to try again? Do we notice effort even when somebody has not succeeded yet?
This makes the story particularly relevant to classroom life, where perseverance and encouragement can help create a positive attitude towards learning.
How does the Izzy Gizmo assembly encourage reflection?
Children are invited to think about a time when they persevered and did not give up, before considering how they felt when they eventually succeeded.
The final challenge then turns the focus towards others:
Can you notice someone who is persevering and encourage them to keep going?
This gives children a simple way to put the value of perseverance into practice after the assembly.
This Izzy Gizmo assembly includes:
A ready-to-use PowerPoint
A focus on perseverance and keeping going
An introduction to inventions and inventors
Key vocabulary linked to the story
Time to share Izzy Gizmo
Discussion questions about perseverance
A focus on encouraging others
Personal reflection
A practical challenge for pupils
FAQs
Do I need a copy of Izzy Gizmo to deliver the assembly?
Yes. The assembly includes dedicated time to read the story, so you will need access to a copy of Izzy Gizmo.
Is this assembly suitable for a growth mindset theme?
Yes. Although the main value is perseverance, the themes of making mistakes, trying again and learning when something does not work also fit naturally with work around growth mindset and positive attitudes to learning.
Could I use this assembly as part of a curriculum topic?
Yes. The inventions theme provides natural links with Design and Technology and STEM, while the picture book provides links with reading and English.
Looking for more story-based assemblies?
Explore our Books & Stories assemblies for primary schools for more ready-to-use resources that use children’s literature to explore important values.
You can also discover more assemblies about perseverance or browse our full collection of primary school assemblies.
Explore our Books & Stories assemblies and turn brilliant children’s books into meaningful whole-school discussion.
If you do not have a copy of the book, visit our friends at Peters Books
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