Lesson 37: Zz /z/
Help Your Child Learn to Say, Write, and Read with the Letter Zz!
What Will We Learn Today?
Today we’re learning the letter Zz, which spells the sound /z/—as in zoo or zip. In this lesson, your child will learn how to say the /z/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Zz, and blend and read short words, phrases, and connected sentences using this buzzy, voiced consonant.
How to Make the /z/ Sound
The /z/ sound is a voiced, continuous sound made with your tongue close to the ridge behind your top front teeth.
Here’s how to help your child say it:
Place your tongue near the ridge behind your top front teeth (like when saying /s/).
Turn your voice on.
Let the air flow out while your vocal cords buzz: /zzzzz/
Articulate
Say it together:
“Let’s say /z/ like a buzzing bee—/zzzzz/!”
Hold it out and feel the vibration in your throat.
Compare /s/ and /z/ to feel the difference between unvoiced and voiced.
How to Write the Letter Zz
Time to grab your whiteboard and marker!
Uppercase Z
Draw a straight line across the top.
Draw a slanted line down to the left.
Draw a straight line across the bottom.
Lowercase z
Same as uppercase, but smaller—line across, slant down, and another line across.
Try writing with chalk or finger tracing in salt for extra engagement.
Let’s Practice Reading Words
Blend and read these /z/ words:
zip – zap – zit – zen – zed – zest
Model blending:
“/z/ – /ɪ/ – /p/” → zip
Then say the word smoothly.
Let’s Practice Reading Phrases
the red zip
zip and zap
a fun zap
the hot zest
a bit of zen
the best zest
a red zit
the flat zip
Ask your child to find and point to all the words with the /z/ sound.
Let’s Practice Reading Sentences
I said, “Do the zap!”
The zap is fun.
Zed is in the van.
The zit is on the leg.
Use echo reading or partner reading for fluency.
Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences
Liz got a zit.
The zit is red.
The zit is big.
Zed got the rag.
Liz said, “Do not zap it!”
Zed did the job.
“It was not fun,” said Liz.
Ask:
Who had the zit?
What did Zed do?
How did Liz feel?
Color, Trace, and Write
Use printable worksheets where your child can:
Color pictures with /z/ words (e.g., zip, zest, zap)
Trace uppercase and lowercase Zz
Write the letter independently
[Download the Zz Worksheet Here]
Flashcards – Beginning Sound Focus
Use picture flashcards to practice hearing the /z/ sound at the beginning of words.
Examples:
zip
zebra
zap
zoo
Ask:
“What sound do you hear at the start?”
“Can you say /z/ like a bee?”
[Download Zz Flashcards – Beginning Sound Set Here]
Conclusion
The /z/ sound brings a zippy buzz to early reading. With strong articulation, writing practice, and playful reading, your child will be able to recognize and use this sound with confidence.
Ask your child:
“Can you buzz like a bee and say a /z/ word?”