State the Objective
Tell the children that they will make a zigzag lightning bolt as they recognize and name the uppercase letter Z and the lowercase letter z.

Literacy Activities
Zigzag Z

• Write and name the uppercase and lowercase letters Z and z and model the /z/ sound.
• Have the children say the letter name and sound as they write the Z and z in the air with their fingers.
• Explain that the letter Z  looks like a bolt of lightning that zips and zaps.
• Let the children zip their fingers through the the rice or bean as they write Z and z.
• Have them say, “Zigzag Z!” or "Zip! Zap! Z!" each time they make a Z lightning bolt.

Identify and write the target letter

• Show the children the cloud picture (see below).

   

• Tell them that they will need to decide which letters are zigzag Z lightning bolts and put them on the cloud.
• Let the children take turns drawing letter cards (see below).
• Help the children decide 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 glue or tape it on the cloud picture. 

Write the target letter

• Help the children write the letters Z and z on small pieces of paper.
• Let the children say "Zap!" as they attach their Z papers to the cloud picture.