Lesson 34: Xx /ks/

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:
“/t/ – /ă/ – /ks/” → tax

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?

Trace and Write

Use printable worksheets where your child can:

• Trace uppercase and lowercase Xx

• Write the letter independently

Download the Xx Worksheet 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.