/s/ vs /z/ phonics practice
Whole-class phonics practice for Amplify CKLA Kindergarten · Unit 6 · Lesson 4. Every student spells words with /s/ vs /z/ and gets instant feedback — right after your direct instruction.
▶Use this lesson in CuripodThe Curipod slide where students are prompted to write as many words as they can with the target sound /s/ vs /z/.
About this lesson.
This activity pairs with Amplify CKLA Kindergarten · Unit 6 · Lesson 4, which focuses on /s/ vs /z/. The curriculum teaches the sound through letter-sound correspondence and guided word reading; this Curipod activity is the productive application step: students generate and spell their own words with /s/ vs /z/, getting feedback in real time.
The activity surfaces gaps fast. A student who can read a word with /s/ vs /z/ when the teacher shows it isn't necessarily able to produce one from scratch — even fewer can produce three or four without prompting. The “spell as many as you can” structure makes that gap visible, and the class-wide view tells you who has the pattern and who's stuck.
The activity accepts any word that matches the target pattern. Students see green confirmation for words that match, and a gentle prompt for words that don't — so misconceptions get surfaced and corrected without singling anyone out.
Four steps. About 10 minutes.
Designed to slot in right after Amplify CKLA's direct instruction on /s/ vs /z/.
Hear the sound
You introduce /s/ vs /z/ from the Amplify CKLA lesson. Students listen and identify.
Spell & get feedback
Every student types words with /s/ vs /z/. Each one gets instant feedback and a score.
Read aloud
Students share their words with a partner or the class.
Learn & try again
You see who got it. Students hear new words from peers — then try again.
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