Z is for Zoom

Overview

This 40-minute phonics lesson is designed for Year 1 students in Ireland, adhering closely to the Primary Language Curriculum (PLC) – specifically focusing on the Foundational Stage (Junior and Senior Infants) in the area of Phonological and Phonemic Awareness. The lesson will immerse students in the sound /z/, developing their ability to identify, produce and write the letter ‘z’ through interactive, auditory, visual and kinaesthetic approaches using the Jolly Phonics programme as a foundational resource.

---

Learning Outcome (Primary Language Curriculum - English)

Oral Language > Understanding > Element: Exploring and Using

• Engage with, demonstrate awareness of and enjoy sounds, word patterns and rhymes.

Reading > Understanding > Element: Phonological and Phonemic Awareness

• Recognise and produce letter-sound relationships with increasing accuracy.

Writing > Developing Preferences and Attitudes > Element: Exploring and Using

• Engage in writing activities that represent letters and sounds.

---

Learning Objective

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

• Recognise the sound /z/ and associate it with the letter ‘z’.
• Identify and generate words containing the /z/ sound.
• Participate in recalling previous phonics sounds.
• Differentiate between images of items with/without the /z/ sound.
• Trace and write the letter ‘z’ with correct formation and form.

---

Materials Required

• Whiteboard and markers
• Word cards containing a mix of words (with and without ‘z’)
• Printed phonics image sheets featuring /z/ and non-/z/ items
• Z sound worksheets (tracing, writing and matching z words with pictures)
• Jolly Phonics materials (songs and story for letter ‘z’)
• Individual mini whiteboards and markers
• Small beanbag or soft ball for group game

---

Time Breakdown

Time	Activity	Method
5 mins	Warm-Up: Brainstorm 'Z' Words	Student-led group discussion
10 mins	Jolly Phonics: Letter Z	Multisensory: auditory, visual, story-based
5 mins	Review Previous Sounds	Group recall and phonics chanting
7 mins	Z Sound Picture Sort	Visual scanning and sound awareness
10 mins	Letter Z Worksheet	Tracing, matching, and writing (individual work)
3 mins	Recap & Z Zoom-Out Game	Active group game to reinforce today’s sound

---

Detailed Plan

🔹 1. Warm-Up: Z-Words Brainstorm (5 mins)

Method: Circle time
Purpose: Activate prior knowledge, encourage language development

Teacher writes a large 'Z' on the board. Ask: “Can anyone think of words with the /z/ sound? Let’s listen for the zzzz sound!”

• Offer prompts if needed: "Think of an animal!" ("Zebra"), "What sound does a bee make?" ("Buzz").
• Write students' word suggestions on the board and draw quick symbols (e.g. zigzag, zoo, pizza).

🧠 Extension: Can students hear /z/ at the beginning, middle or end?
👂 Emphasise pronunciation of the voiced /z/ vs unvoiced /s/

---

🔹 2. Jolly Phonics: Letter Z (10 mins)

Resources: Story, Action, Song, Sound Card
Method: Multisensory Learning – song, storytelling, movement

• Children listen to the Jolly Phonics Story for 'z' – Zippy Zebra zooms through the zoo!
• Learn and perform the Jolly Phonics action: Extend arms and pretend to buzz like a bee – “zzzzz”
• Sing the ‘Z’ song together to familiar Jolly tune.
• Teacher shows the ‘z’ sound card while children repeat the sound and perform the action.

💡 Use a zebra soft toy as a 'sound mascot'
🎶 Sing: "Zzzzz says the zebra zzzzz!"
✋ Kinesthetic link: children trace the letter ‘z’ in the air with fingers.

---

🔹 3. Review Previous Sounds (5 mins)

Method: Quick recall game

Using a mini flashcard pack with sounds previously learned (s, a, t, p, i, n, etc.), the teacher quickly holds up cards.

• Students shout the sound and do matching actions (Jolly Phonics)
• Emphasise quick recognition and clear enunciation

😄 Make it fun: “Let’s see who remembers these faster than Zippy Zebra!"

---

🔹 4. Z Sound Picture Sort (7 mins)

Resources: Worksheet with 6–8 pictures per child
Method: Visual discrimination and sound identification

• Children receive a sheet of images (e.g. zebra, sock, zip, apple, buzz, banana, zoo, sun)
• They circle pictures that contain the /z/ sound

📍Support Differentiated Learning:

• Teacher models first two examples
• Stronger students can try unaided
• Pair struggling students with peers for help

💬 Class discussion: “Can anyone explain where the /z/ is in ‘pizza’? Beginning, middle or end?”

---

🔹 5. Letter Z Worksheet (10 mins)

Method: Independent Writing Activity

Work through a worksheet focusing on:

• Tracing large and small letter z’s (upper and lowercase)
• Matching z words (e.g. zebra, zip, pizza) with pictures
• Writing simple z words independently, with help

🖊 Teacher walks around for formative assessment – looking at pencil grip, form, line use
🤲 Includes 1 sensory challenge for early finishers: Use finger to trace letter ‘z’ on a sand tray or felt board

---

🔹 6. Recap with Z Zoom-Out Game! (3 mins)

Method: Movement & Repetition Game

In a circle, students pass the soft ball quickly while music plays. When the music pauses, the child with the ball must:

• Say a ‘z’ word OR
• Repeat the /z/ sound and do the Jolly action

🌈 Light-hearted finish reinforces positivity and memory through movement and fun

---

Assessment & Differentiation

Method	Details
Formative assessment	Observing student responses during warm-up, identifying /z/ sound during the sorting task and tracing accuracy during worksheet
Visual Differentiation	Mixed-ability visuals on the worksheet
Support and Challenge	Teacher support for those who require verbal cues, offer extension writing tasks for confident early finishers

---

Plenary – Reflection Questions (verbal prompt)

• What was your favourite ‘z’ word today?
• Can you say a zzzzz word to your partner?
• Can you write a ‘z’ in the air?

🗣 Encourage correct tongue placement and vocalisation – unlike /s/, this sound is voiced!

---

Follow-Up Ideas (for next lesson or home)

• Mini book of Z: “Zippy’s Zzz Adventures” – children draw/write z words
• Bring in something from home with the /z/ sound
• Add ‘z’ words to the word wall
• Practice tracing ‘z’ with a stick in the sandbox during outdoor play

---

Teacher Wow Factor ✨

✅ Movement, music and mindfulness – multisensory integrated learning
✅ Phonics through play – no phonics fatigue here!
✅ Aligned to Irish Primary Language Curriculum with clear outcomes
✅ Differentiated without added prep
✅ Actionable assessment baked into fun!

---

Let this lesson zestfully zoom your Year 1s further into their phonics path 🐝