📖

Y and Z: Yes to Jesus and Zacchaeus

Finishing the Alphabet

Day 25of 180
Week 5of 36
20Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Recognize and write letters Y and Z

2

Learn the /y/ and /z/ sounds

3

Understand that we can say 'yes' to Jesus

4

Complete alphabet knowledge

📖 Scripture Connection

Luke 19:5-6

“When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.' He hurried and came down, and received him joyfully.”

— Luke 19:5-6 (WEB)

Shows Zacchaeus saying 'yes' to Jesus's invitation

📦 Materials Needed

  • Letter Y and Z cards
  • Alphabet poster
  • Yellow and zebra stickers
  • Coloring sheets
  • Pencils
  • Letter stamps
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Sing alphabet song, highlighting Y and Z. Show letter cards and make sounds.

💭 Review Question: What letters are we learning today?
2Teaching (7 min)

Introduce Y and Z with Bible story of Zacchaeus saying 'yes' to Jesus

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Y says /y/ like in 'yes'
  • Z says /z/ like in 'zebra'
  • Zacchaeus said 'yes' to Jesus's invitation
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Have you ever said 'yes' to Jesus?
  • What does saying 'yes' to Jesus mean?
3Activity: Yes to Jesus Letter Hunt (6 min)
game

Find hidden Y and Z letters around room, say their sounds when found

📝 Instructions:
  1. Hide letter cards around classroom
  2. Children search and collect Y and Z letters
  3. Say sound when letter is found
  4. Optional: Make a word starting with each letter
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Help children find letters

Challenge: Spell simple Y and Z words

4Closing (2 min)

Celebrate completing the alphabet!

📝 Review Questions:
  • What sound does Y make?
  • What sound does Z make?
  • Who said 'yes' to Jesus in our story?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank You for helping us learn all our letters. Help us always say 'yes' to You. Amen.

Coming up: Next week we'll start reading simple words!

💎 Memory Verse

John 14:6

“Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.'”

— John 14:6 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Jesus Path Game: Children step on letter stones saying each word

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Children complete alphabet knowledge today

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Practice letter sounds at home
  • Encourage positive attitude toward learning
  • Celebrate alphabet completion
🤔 Common Struggles:

Differentiating similar looking letters

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Confident letter recognition and sound production

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create Y and Z collage
  • Practice writing Y and Z
  • Make 'yes' cards to Jesus

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 26 →Back to Phonics & Reading