Lesson 34: Xx /ks/
Help Your Child Learn to Say, Write, and Read with the Letter Xx!
What Will We Learn Today?
Today we’re learning the letter Xx, which spells the sound /ks/—as in box or fox. In this lesson, your child will learn how to say the /ks/ sound, write uppercase and lowercase Xx, and blend and read short words, phrases, and connected sentences featuring this sharp, unvoiced consonant pair.
How to Make the /ks/ Sound
The /ks/ sound is an unvoiced consonant blend made of two parts said quickly one after the other.
Here’s how to help your child say it:
Raise the back of your tongue toward the roof of your mouth.
Make a short, unvoiced /k/ sound with a little puff of air.
Follow it with a /s/ sound by hissing the air through your teeth.
Blend it quickly: /k/ + /s/ = /ks/
Articulate
Say it together:
“Let’s say /ks/ like in box—/ks/!”
Practice it slowly: /k/ … /s/ → then quicker: /ks/
Ask your child to repeat the sound and then try it in words.
How to Write the Letter Xx
Time to grab your whiteboard and marker!
Uppercase X
Draw a slanted line from left to right.
Then draw another slanted line from right to left, crossing the first to make an “X.”
Lowercase x
Draw a smaller version of the uppercase X using the same two slanted lines.
Practice using chalk, crayons, or finger tracing for variety and fun.
Let’s Practice Reading Words
Blend and read these short words with the /ks/ sound:
fix – ax – mix – lax – box – six – fax – max – tax
Model:
“/m/ – /ɪ/ – /ks/” → mix
Let your child stretch each sound, then blend.
Let’s Practice Reading Phrases
the red box
fix the fax
I said to mix
fox and ox
do the text
flex the ax
Encourage your child to say the /ks/ sound clearly at the end of each word.
Let’s Practice Reading Sentences
Max is in the box.
The flax is next to the ox.
Do the fax next.
Fix the wax jug.
Have your child circle the words with the /ks/ sound and read the sentence aloud.
Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences
The fox is fast.
The ox is big.
The fox ran to the ox.
I said, “Do not vex him!”
The fox hid in the box.
The ox is not mad.
He did a flex!
Ask:
Who was hiding in the box?
Why might the ox be mad?
What did the ox do at the end?
Color, Trace, and Write
Use printable worksheets where your child can:
Color pictures with /ks/ words (e.g., box, six, fox)
Trace uppercase and lowercase Xx
Write the letter independently
[Download the Xx Worksheet Here]
Flashcards – Final Sound Focus
Use picture flashcards to help your child hear and identify the /ks/ sound, especially at the end of words.
Examples:
box
six
wax
fox
Ask:
“What sound do you hear at the end?”
“Can you say /ks/ at the end of this word?”
[Download Xx Flashcards – Final Sound Set Here]
Conclusion
The /ks/ sound may be tricky at first, but with clear practice in saying, writing, and reading, your child will master this important sound—especially at the end of words.
Ask your child:
“Can you find something around you with an X in it?”