The Elementary Spelling Book, being an Improvement on the American Spelling Book · No. 128 · Part 8: Special sounds
95. X that sounds like gz
Goal: Your child knows that x sometimes sounds like gz, as the book shows.
You'll need
- The book, open to this table
- A slate, small whiteboard, or paper and pencil
What's in the book
No. 128 is headed "In the following words, x passes into the sound of gz", with its list of words. (This page could not be fetched on its own when these guides were made, so only the heading and the rule are given here. Follow the page itself for the words.)
The lesson, step by step
Review
Say "whale" and "when" with the breathed h.
The pattern
Usually x sounds like ks (box, six). In the words of this table it sounds like gz instead. The key line at the top of the right-hand pages shows a word of this kind: "exist".
Read the heading
Read the rule printed over the table with your child:
In the following words, x passes into the sound of gz.
Say it again in your own words, then try it on two words.
Read the table aloud
Read the table aloud a column at a time. You read a word, your child repeats it, pointing. Then your child reads a column alone.
Spell aloud by syllables
Your child spells each word a syllable at a time, saying each syllable, then the whole word. Do one column looking, then cover it and spell a few from memory.
Listen for it
Say "box", then "exist", then "example". Your child tells you which have ks and which have gz. The gz usually comes when the next syllable is the strong one: ex-IST, ex-AM-ple.
Dictation
Choose six words from the table. Say each, use it in a short sentence, and say it again. Your child writes it. Check together against the book.
Wrap up
Your child finds the word "exist" in the key line and reads it.