State the Objective
Tell the children that theywill make zig-zag stripes on a zebra as they recognize and name the uppercase letter Z and the lowercase letter z.

Literacy Activities
Zig Zag Zebra

• Write the uppercase and the lowercase letters Z  and z; point out that size is the only difference between the two
• Name the letters and have the children write the Z and z in the air with their fingers.
• Show the children the zebra picture (see below) and ask them what is missing (the stripes).
• Help the children write black letters Z and z on the zebra to make zig-zag stripes.
• Read the words on the Z Zebra Zoo sign (see below) to the children.
• Have the children circle the letter Z in each word on the sign.
• Let the children place the zebra picture near the sign and pretend to watch the zebra at the zoo.

Identify the target letter

• Stack the letter cards (see below), then have the children take turns drawing cards.
• Ask the children whether each letter is an uppercase letter Z, a lowercase letter z, or some other letter.
• If the letter is a Z or z, have the children put it by the sign in the pretend Z Zebra Zoo.
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Write the target letter

• On the small zebra pictures (see below), have the children trace over the letter Z in the word zebra.
• Help the children write the uppercase letter Z and the lowercase letter z on their zebra pictures.
• Let the children place the small zebras by the large zebra in the pretend Z Zebra Zoo.