Consonant Contrast /s/, /z/ Lesson Note - JSS3 English language Lesson Note

Consonant Contrast /s/, /z/ Lesson Note

Introduction to Consonant Sounds:

The pronunciation of consonant sounds can significantly impact clarity in spoken English. This lesson focuses on the articulation and differences between the consonant sounds /s/ and /z/.

Articulation of /s/:

To produce the /s/ sound:

Position of the Tongue: The tip of the tongue is placed near the ridge of the upper front teeth. 

Air Passage: The sides of the tongue lightly touch the upper teeth, creating a narrow channel for the air to pass through.

Voice Box Activity:The /s/ sound is voiceless, meaning there is no vibration in the vocal cords.

Common Usage This sound is often used to draw attention or indicate silence in noisy environments (e.g., "shh").

Examples in Words:

Initial Position: "sit," "sun," "sea"

Medial Position:"passage," "lesson," "castle"

Final Position:"miss," "bus," "grass"

Articulation of /z/:

To produce the /z/ sound:

Position of the Tongue:** Similar to the /s/ sound, the tip of the tongue is placed near the ridge of the upper front teeth.

Air Passage: The air passes through a narrow gap between the tongue and the teeth.

Voice Box Activity: The /z/ sound is voiced, meaning the vocal cords vibrate.

Common Usage: Often heard in plural forms of nouns and third person singular forms of verbs (e.g., "dogs," "runs").

Examples in Words:

Initial Position: "zoo," "zip," "zero"

Medial Position:** "easy," "busy," "crazy"

Final Position:** "has," "buzz," "jazz"

Spelling Patterns:

/s/:

- s (e.g., "snake")

- ss (e.g., "class")

- c (e.g., "city," "cent")

 

/z/:

- z (e.g., "zebra")

- zz (e.g., "fizz")

- s (when it sounds like /z/, e.g., "was," "is")

 

Contrast Examples:

 

/z/

Sue 

Zoo 

Rice 

Rise 

Face 

Faze 

Loose 

Lose 

Racing 

Raising 

  

Practice Sentences:

/s/ is heard in the following sentences:

1. The sun sets in the west.

2. She sells seashells by the seashore.

3. My sister loves to sing.

4. The snake hissed loudly.

5. This lesson is very interesting.

 

/z/ is heard in the following sentences:

1. The zebra crossed the road.

2. Please close the door.

3. He loves to read books.

4. The bees are buzzing around the flowers.

5. The dogs are barking loudly.

 

Listening Discrimination:

Listen to pairs of words and identify whether you hear /s/ or /z/.

Example pairs: "sip" vs. "zip," "ice" vs. "eyes"

 

Speaking Practice:

Repeat sentences emphasising the /s/ and /z/ sounds.

Example: "She sees the seas and hears the bees."