Week 1, lesson 5 Phoneme "x" and Grapheme "x" - Phonics Phase 3 - Lesson plan

In the fifth lesson of Week 1, young learners are introduced to the phoneme /x/ and its corresponding grapheme as part of their phonics education in Phase 3. The lesson's objective is to teach children that the /x/ sound is a combination of two familiar sounds, /k/ and /s/, which together create the sound /ks/. The lesson begins with a creative approach, using a Kangaroos-Seal flashcard to illustrate the concept and a grapheme flashcard to visually represent the . This multisensory method helps children to associate the sound with the letter shape.

The lesson plan includes a variety of interactive activities to reinforce the learning. Children participate in a lively game where they identify graphemes placed on different walls, correlating to the direction words North, South, East, West. A story is used to teach the /x/ phoneme, engaging children with the tale of Kangaroos and a Seal navigating through spiky grass, with the /x/ sound emphasized as they break through the grass. Children then practice the sound through a corresponding action, crossing their arms and vocalizing the /x/ sound. The lesson continues with exercises in writing the grapheme, including finger writing in the air or on a peer's back, and reading exercises where children determine if written phrases are true or false. The session concludes with hands-on activities such as writing the grapheme on mini whiteboards and extension activities that may include using playdough or sand writing to further develop their understanding of the grapheme .