Zoe at the Zoo

FREE Subscription

Objective

Recognize and produce the /z/ sound in a series of words that all begin with /z/.

Lesson Plan

Target Words:

zoo
zebra
zip
zoom
Zoe

Materials:

Zebra graphic
Bumblebee graphics
Zoe at the Zoo target text

State and Model the Objective

Tell the children that they will follow Zoe through the zoo while listening for words that begin with the /z/ sound, such as zoo, zebra, zip, and zoom.

Literacy Activities

Hide the zebra graphic somewhere in the room.
Display the Zoe at the Zoo target text for all the children to see and remind the children that Zoe and Zoo both start with the /z/ sound.
Read the story to the children, pointing at each word as you read it and inviting the children to say the "ZZZZZZZ" parts.
Give each child a bumblebee card and read the story again.
Let the children make their bumblebees do the actions that occur in the text as they look for Zack the Zebra (zip, zoom, zig-zag).
If desired, hide the zebra card again and repeat.
Have the children recall words from the activity that start with /z/.

More Practice

Tell the children to listen for the /z/ sound as they repeat the following phrases:
- “Zoe zips around the zoo.”
- “Zoe zig zags around the zoo.”
- “Zoe zooms around the zoo.”
- “Zoe zips, zig zags, and zooms around the zoo.”
- “ZZZZZZoom. ZZZZZZip. ZZZZZZig ZZZZZZag.”

Zoe at the Zoo

Zoe, the bumblebee, is zipping and zooming through the zoo.
Zipping here. Zipping there.
“ZZZZZZZZZZZZ!” zips Zoe.

Zoe is zooming through the zoo to find her friend Zack, the zebra.

Zooming up, zooming down.
“ZZZZZZZZZZZZ!” zips Zoe.

Zoe is zig-zagging through the zebra house.

Zigging this way. Zagging that way.
“ZZZZZZZZZZZZ!” zips Zoe.

Zoe sees some zebras!
Zoe zooms around the zebra house, trying to find Zack.

Zoe zips and zigs zags.
“ZZZZZZZZZZZZ!” zips Zoe.
There is Zack the Zebra!

Zebra

Bumblebee graphics

SEEL At Home

Objective

Recognize and produce the /z/ sound in a series of words that all begin with /z/.

Materials

Zoe the Bumblebee graphic
Craft stick or pencil
Zack the Zebra graphic

Activity: Zoe at the Zoo

Before the activity, hide the zebra graphic somewhere in the room.
Help your child attach the bumblebee graphic to a craft stick or pencil as a stick puppet and introduce your child to Zoe the Bumblebee.
Ask your child what sound a bumblebee makes ("zzzzzz").
Have your child make the /z/ sound as they zip and zoom around the room with Zoe looking for Zack the Zebra.
When your child finds the zebra graphic, say, "Zoe zipped and zoomed to find the Zach the Zebra!"
Ask your child to listen for and join you in making the /z/ sound as you tell about Zoe:
- Zoe zips and zooms. Zoe zigs and zags. Zoe goes "zzzzzzzz" as she zips and zooms. Zoe goes "zzzzzzzz" as she zigs and zags.
Tell about Zoe again, allowing your child to zip and zoom and zig zag with Zoe as you make Zack do the actions, too.