Letter of the Week: Z

March 10-14
Letter of the Week: Z
Theme: Zebra/Zoo

Z, zebra, zoo - oh, my!  We are getting close to the official start of spring.  As we tackle the letter-sound 'z', what better theme than zoo (and zebras)? 

‘Z’ is a consonant.  From a speech perspective, ‘z’ is a “skinny air” sound.  Hold your hand in front of your mouth while saying /z/.  Just like /s/, the air coming out of your mouth should feel like a skinny or thin stream.  The tongue is doing the heavy work shaping the flow of air being forced out, while the lips are contributing with a smile action.  ‘Z’ and ‘S’ are sound brothers; they are made exactly the same way - almost.  Image from the LiPS Program by Lindamood-BellThere is one difference.  ‘Z’ is the noisy brother (voice on – vocal cords vibrate – to make this sound).  Hold your hand to your throat as you say /z/; you should feel vibration from the vocal cords.  Now say /s/ (a quiet sound); feel the difference?

In therapy:  We will be reading 'z'/zebra/zoo themed books, doing ‘z’/zebra/zoo themed activities and exploring the letter name, letter sound and letter symbol for 'z'.

Suggestions for home:  Pick out ideas that appeal most to your child (and you!).  Kids learn best through active experiences.  And multi-modal learning helps make stronger and more diverse connections in the brain, which helps with retention and recall.  Sprinkle ‘z’ throughout the week.  Most important, have fun!

BOOKS

• My “xyz” Sound Box (Sound Box Books) by Jane Belk Moncure  [Kindle Edition]
• Going to the Zoo by Tom Paxton
• The View at the Zoo by Kathleen Long Bostrom
• 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo by Eric Carle
• I Want To Be A Zookeeper by Dan Liebman
• Zoo by Gail Gibbons
• If Anything Ever Goes Wrong at the Zoo by Mary Jean Hendrick
• Inside a Zoo in the City by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
• The Great Escape from City Zoo by Tohby Riddle
• If I Ran the Zoo by Dr. Seuss  [Kindle Edition]  [Android]  [iPhone/iPad]

FOOD
Eating the Alphabet - Z:  Consider adding some “z” foods to your menu this week.
      zucchini     ziti     zoo animal cookies     zero shaped cereal

Feeling adventurous?  Make Zebra cookies with your child!  Like these or these.

ACTIVITIES
Scavenger Hunt:  how many ‘z’ things can you find around the house, while shopping at the market, in a magazine or store ad flyers?

Field Trip:  

• Head to the Zoo!  Try out the Zoo app (link below) to enhance your visit.
• Aquarium:  can you find any animals with ‘z’ in their name?

I Spy:  look for the letter ‘z’ in a variety of texts (books, magazines, newspaper, road signs, license plates)

Community helper: learn about zoo keepers

Sensory Play:

• Build your own zoo - like this Draw, Build & Play Zoo activity from No Time For Flashcards
• Check out this Z is for Zoo Mommy School packet from Oopsey Daisy
• Use masking tape to make a zigzag line on the floor, then have your child do different actions (like "tiptoe") along the zigzag

APPS

• Woodland Park Zoo app for iPhone/iPad
• My Zoo Woodland Park app for iPhone
• Curious George At The Zoo app     iPhone     iPad     Android
• ABCmouse.com Zoo, Set 1 app for iPhoneiPad
• ABCmouse.com Zoo, Set 2 app for iPhoneiPad
• ABCmouse.com Zoo, Set 3 app for iPhoneiPad
• Zoo Train app     iPhone/iPad     Android
• ABC Writing Zoo Animals Game app for iPad     Lite (free)     HD (full/paid)
• Peek-a-Zoo app     iPhone     iPad
• Peek-A-Zoo: Toddler Peekaboo At The Zoo app for iPhone/iPad     Lite (free)     Full (paid)

Do you have other Z ideas to add?   I’d love to hear!

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