How to Say Z
Grown-up and child: read this together. Practice in front of a mirror.
Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).
How to do it
- Read the steps together in front of a mirror.
- Practice the sound alone, then in syllables.
- Color a star on the ladder at each level you master.
Teaching tip
Make a long s, then turn on the buzz.
About this worksheet
A cue card with a mouth picture, three simple steps, syllables to practice, and a practice ladder from the sound alone to talking.
What kids practice
Articulation means making speech sounds clearly. Z is made just like S, but with the voice turned on, so it buzzes. Many children master Z by about age 7 or 8. The Z sound is often spelled with an s, as in nose, cheese and bees, so these sheets listen for the sound, not the letter. They climb from the sound alone to reading and everyday talking. Common Core doesn't cover speech sounds, so these sheets have no Common Core code.
Watch for
- Turning the voice off so z becomes s (sip for zip).
- The tongue peeking out between the teeth.
- Thinking only the letter z makes the sound. Point out the z sound in words like is, was and his.
- If your child is hard to understand, frustrated when talking, or not improving, ask a speech-language pathologist for an evaluation.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full articulation: the z sound guide for 2nd grade.
More sheets in this set
- See it all
1. All My Z WordsEvery Z practice word on one page, sorted by where the sound is: start, middle or end. 
3. Z Cards: Start of WordsFive picture cards with Z at the start of the word, plus spaces to draw your own Z words.
4. Z Cards: Middle of WordsNine picture cards with Z in the middle of the word.
5. Z Cards: End of WordsNine picture cards with Z at the end of the word.
6. Z PhrasesNine short phrases with Z words in blue, each with a picture.
7. Z SentencesEight real-life sentences with the Z words in blue.
8. Z BingoTwo picture bingo boards packed with Z words.
9. Z Board GameA board game with Z words and star squares that add extra practice.
10. Z Roll and SaySix Z pictures, one for each side of a die, with circles to color each time you say the word. Fewer has 3 circles each and More adds a second round of 6 pictures.
11. Z Spin and SayA paper clip spinner with Z pictures and a box row for each word. Fewer, Standard or More give 6, 8 or 10 pictures.
12. Z Practice TrackerA ten-day tracker to record ten tries a day and the practice level.
13. Z Read-Aloud StoryOne of ten short stories packed with Z words in blue, with a 3-read score and a story retell.
14. Z: Talk About ItSix real conversation questions, each with Z words to try in the answer.