Lesson 21
-s /z/
The grapheme S can spell /z/ at the end of words
S is the most common spelling of the /z/ sound. S only represents /z/ at the end of a word when it follows a voiced sound. The sounds /s/ and /z/ are produced the same way, except /s/ is unvoiced and /z/ is voiced.
Today's plan
about 20 min- Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
- Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
- Step 4Blending drill3 min
- Step 5New concept6 min
- Step 5Read & spell the new words5 min
Warm Up Our Ears
Say the sounds; students blend them into a word. Then say a word; students break it apart.
Blend it (teacher says sounds → you say word)
Break it (I say word → you say sounds)
Sound Drills
Full-screen cards for the class. Tap a card to check the answer, or press Hear the words to hear the example words read aloud.
👂 Listen & Spell — teacher list (10 sounds)
Say each sound; students write the spelling(s). Read straight from this list.
- /s/s (as in sun) · sun
- /ĕ/e (as in bed) · elephant
- /b/b (as in bat) · ball
- /g/g (as in goat) · goat
- /ŭ/u (as in cup) · umbrella
- /k/c (as in cat) · cat
- /d/d (as in dog) · dog
- /ŏ/o (as in hot) · octopus
- /n/n (as in nest) · nut
- /ĭ/i (as in sit) · iguana
Blending Drill
Change one part at a time and read the new word.
Initial
b
s
Middle
n
t
Final
p
e
o
u
+
a
p
t
s
New Concept
Today we learn that the letter S can also spell /z/ at the end of some words.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
This is the letter S. We know S spells /s/. S can also be used to spell another sound at the end of some words. Sometimes, S spells /z/ at the end of words like fans and pods. S spells /z/ if the sound before it is a voiced sound like /n/ or /d/ (point to letters).
Letter formation
Practice letter formation as needed to warm up for spelling.
How our mouth moves
Remember, to make the /z/ sound, put your tongue right behind your top, front teeth, turn your voice on, and send air out like this... (model). The /z/ sound is a continuous sound that can be stretched out (use continuous hand motion). Watch me /zzz/. You try /zzz/.
Sound wall
Add grapheme card 's' to the consonant grid under the /z/ picture card.
Open the digital sound wall →Read & Spell
Read — I do
Read — We do
Spell — I do
Spell — We do