Lesson Plan for Junior Secondary 2 - English Comprehension - peech Work: Consonant Contrasts /s/ And /z/, /ð/

### Lesson Plan: English Comprehension - Speech Work: Consonant Contrasts /s/ and /z/, /ð/ and /θ/ #### Grade Level: Junior Secondary 2 (JS2) #### Duration: 60 Minutes #### Subject: English Language #### Topic: Speech Work: Consonant Contrasts /s/ and /z/, /ð/ and /θ/ --- ### Learning Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to: 1. Differentiate between the consonant sounds /s/ and /z/, /ð/ and /θ/. 2. Accurately produce and identify these sounds in words. 3. Use the identified sounds correctly in sentences. 4. Improve overall pronunciation and listening skills. ### Materials Needed: - Audio recordings of words with the target sounds. - Flashcards with words. - Whiteboard and markers. - Handouts with exercises. - Internet-enabled device for playing audio (optional). ### Lesson Procedure: #### Introduction (10 Minutes) 1. **Greetings and Warm-up:** - Greet the students and ask about their day. - Quick warm-up activity: Say a tongue twister involving both /s/ and /z/, like "Sister Suzy sewing shirts for soldiers." 2. **Objective Sharing:** - Clearly state the objectives of the lesson. - Briefly explain the importance of correctly producing and recognizing the consonant sounds /s/ and /z/, /ð/ and /θ/. #### Presentation (20 Minutes) 1. **Explanation and Demonstration:** - Write the target sounds on the board /s/, /z/, /ð/, /θ/ and explain that they are called fricative consonants because they are produced by constricting airflow through the vocal tract. - Demonstrate how to produce each sound. - For /s/: Place the tongue close to the roof of the mouth, near the teeth, and force air out. - For /z/: Same mouth position as /s/, but use the vocal cords to create a buzzing sound. - For /θ/: Place the tongue between the teeth and blow air out (voiceless 'th' as in "think"). - For /ð/: Same tongue position as /θ/, but use the vocal cords (voiced 'th' as in "this"). 2. **Listening Exercise:** - Play audio recordings of words containing these sounds. - Examples: - /s/ as in "sip" - /z/ as in "zip" - /θ/ as in "think" - /ð/ as in "this" - Ask students to repeat the words after you to practice pronunciation. #### Practice (20 Minutes) 1. **Paired Activities:** - Distribute flashcards with words containing the sounds /s/, /z/, /ð/, and /θ/. - Students work in pairs to practice saying the words on their flashcards. One student reads while the other listens and provides feedback on the correct production of the sounds. 2. **Group Exercise:** - Write sentences on the board that include target sounds, for example: - “This is a zoo.” - “The sun is shining.” - Have students come to the board to underline the words containing the target sounds and read the sentences aloud. #### Evaluation (10 Minutes) 1. **Quiz:** - Hand out a worksheet containing a mix of words with the target sounds. - Students will circle the correct sound (/s/, /z/, /ð/, /θ/) found in each word or sentence. 2. **Recap and Feedback:** - Quickly review the objectives to assess if they are met. - Discuss any common issues noticed during the exercises. #### Conclusion (5 Minutes) 1. **Summarize the Lesson:** - Recap the main points of the lesson: proper pronunciation of /s/, /z/, /ð/, /θ/ and their importance in communication. 2. **Homework Assignment:** - Ask students to find and write down 5 words containing each of the sounds /s/, /z/, /ð/, and /θ/ from books, magazines, or online sources. - Encourage them to practice pronouncing these words at home. 3. **Closing:** - Thank the students for their participation. - Encourage them to keep practicing their pronunciation. ### Notes for the Teacher: - Be patient and provide plenty of positive reinforcement. - Keep the atmosphere relaxed to reduce any anxiety about making mistakes. - Adjust the pace based on the students' comfort levels and understanding. - Use visual aids and gestures to help illustrate the tongue and mouth positions for producing sounds if necessary. --- This lesson plan aims to engage students through varied activities that target multiple learning preferences, thus ensuring a comprehensive understanding and application of the consonant sounds.