Continuing the series of free videos on how to teach phonics – learn and practise the most common sound of the letters “x” and “u”.
The sound of the letter “x” is really two sounds, /ks/. Children will never notice this and it would only cause confusion if you pointed it out, so just teach the sound as /x/. Fine details are interesting and important to academics, but keep things as simple and straight forward as possible for children.
Explain to children that “x” usually has a different sound when it starts a word, so we use words that have “x” at the end. “X-rays” is all right too because we can hear the /x/ sound in it.
Always talk about new words, or anything interesting or unusual, e.g “ox” and “cox” or “sub”. You can use this as an excuse to use a simple dictionary, an encyclopaedia or an internet search, or to visit the library, and discover things together.
Humour is a powerful teaching tool. Who is making the ugliest face? Can you make a face that ugly? What is going to happen to the clown as he struggles to open the umbrella?
Remember to pause the videos whenever you want to talk about something or ask a question.
Click on the bottom right hand corner of each video to see it full screen. If you have trouble seeing the videos try x, Phonic Comic 1/17, ox box cox, u, Phonic Comic 1/18, ub sub tub
Thanks to J. Harrison, Swim Central, New Town, Tasmania for underwater photo.
All illustrations for Phonic Comic books © A. H. M. Wherrett, 2004.
To see the other videos go to Videos for Children
Print the books easy 1-17 and easy 1-18 back-to-back on A4 paper, cut across the centre on the line, assemble, fold and staple.
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