Two Spellings for One Sound

Instructor, please take note: This lesson introduces two possible consonant spellings for the sound of |ks|—cks and x. In other words, your student will need to select the appropriate spelling from several choices. Spelling choices in this lesson and future lessons will be introduced and mastered one at a time. Focus on today’s lesson.

I REVIEW the x spelling pattern with the |ks| sound, as in six.

II REVIEW the cks spelling pattern with the |ks| sound, as in rocks.

III & IV REVIEW the x and cks spelling patterns with the |ks| sound, as in box and ducks.

As was discussed in Lesson 14, if a word ending with cks is a noun, the s indicates that the noun is plural (more than one), as in the sentence: “Gavin is putting five basalt rocks in Carolynn’s flower bed.” The s ending on a verb, however, shows that a certain action is occurring now, in the present tense (e.g., “Allen’s band really rocks”).

Better Reader or Better Speller?

Some students find reading the patterns easier than spelling them; others find spelling easier than reading. Both skills must be mastered in every lesson! A third skill that is essential for real reading is comprehending the meaning of the words. If your student can pronounce a word but does not know what it means, what has he gained? Sometimes a student will glean a word’s meaning from context, or perhaps he will find the meaning by asking you for a definition or by consulting a dictionary. However the meaning is obtained, it is crucial that your student understand the words. This is a practice to be nurtured.

We require your student to spell all of the words in each lesson on paper. The activity of writing words establishes a pathway between your student’s brain and hand, and research indicates that the act of writing does increase learning. The spelling of every word initially may seem to slow down the learning process but it is absolutely essential.

Your student’s handwriting probably will improve (with some encouragement from you) as he spells through the lessons. Penmanship is important, and so as your student gains confidence as a reader, you might aim for improvements in his penmanship one letter at a time. For example, if he is not closing the letter o, making it look like the letter u, explain to him that until he finishes his o’s, you will not be able to count words as being spelled correctly. At a minimum, insist that he write his words legibly.

Frequency of Lessons

Students benefit enormously from daily lessons. This frequency spurs progress
and helps speed elimination of the difficult-to-break habit of guess reading.