Pizza Puzzle
Objective
Read and write words spelled with the zz letter combination in the middle of the word.
Lesson Plan
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Target Words:
- fuzzy
- puzzle
- sizzle
- drizzle
- blizzard
- mozzarella
Materials:
- Puzzle graphic
- Dice graphic
- Pizza box
- Unfinished Story handout
State and Model the Objective
The children will build a pizza puzzle and then read and write words spelled with the zz letter combination such as fuzzy, sizzle, blizzard, drizzle, and mozzarella.
Literacy Activities
Build a pizza puzzle
- Put the children into groups and give each group a cut-out pizza puzzle graphic with two dice.
- Have each group get into a circle, mix up the puzzle pieces, and then lay them face-up on the floor.
- Read the words on the pizza slices to the children and explain any new vocabulary words as needed.
- Ask the children what the words have in common (the zz letter combination).
- Invite the children to take turns rolling the two dice.
- Have the children read both words on each die (provide support if needed).
- If both dice show the same word, the child can take the corresponding puzzle piece and put it in the pizza box.
- If the dice do not match, it is the next child's turn to roll them.
- Play until all pieces make a pizza in the pizza box.
More Practice
Identify the double letters
- Have the children take turns removing a piece of the pizza out of the pizza box and reading the word on it.
- Invite the children to circle the zz letter combination in each target word.
Pizza vs. Puzzle
- Ask the children if they see any similarities between the words pizza and puzzle (both contain two Zs).
- Slowly sound out both of the words while emphasizing the initial /p/ sound, and then ask the children what sound the words have in common.
- Slowly sound out both of the words again, this time emphasizing the /z/ sound found in puzzle and the /ts/ sound found in pizza.
- Ask the children if they hear the difference between the sounds.
- Explain that the word pizza is a special word where the two Zs make the /ts/ sound not the /z/ sound.
Finish the story
- Make a list of target words used throughout the lesson and help the children think of other words that have the zz letter combination in it.
- Give each child an Unfinished Story handout and display it for all the children to see.
- Explain that the children will help fill in the missing target words to finish the story.
- Read the completed story and then invite the children to fill out their handout.
Standards
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1. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.C: Decode regularly spelled two-syllable words with long vowels.

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69250
Pizza Puzzle