Grown-Up Goals. Kid-Sized Joy.
Learning in disguise.
Extra-Special X
Day 1: X is for X-Ray
Focus: Introducing the letter shape and the "hidden" view. Since very few words start with the /ks/ sound, we focus on the X sound at the end of words (like Box and Fox) and the "hidden" X-rays inside things.
Lesson: Introduce the letter X. It’s two lines crossing paths! Practice the /ks/ sound—it’s like a /k/ and an /s/ stuck together. Talk about how an X-ray lets us see bones inside our bodies.
Craft: X-Ray Hands. Trace the children's hands on black paper. Use white chalk or Q-tips dipped in white paint to draw the "bones" (lines) inside the hand.
Activity: X-Ray Vision. Put several objects inside a pillowcase. Have the children use their hands to "see" what is inside without looking, just like an X-ray!
Books to Read: Jessica's X-Ray by Pat Zonta.
Song: "The X-Ray Song."
Tune: The Wheels on the Bus
The X-ray camera goes click, click, click,
Click, click, click, click, click, click.
(Make a clicking sound with your tongue)
The X-ray camera goes click, click, click,
To see the bones inside!
(Point to your arm or ribs)
Snack: X-shaped pretzels or "Bones" (breadsticks).
Day 2: X is for Xylophone
Focus: Music and rhythm.
Lesson: Discuss the Xylophone. It’s an instrument with many different sized bars that make different sounds.
Craft: Rainbow Xylophone. Glue strips of different colored paper in order from longest to shortest on a large piece of paper. Add two "mallets" made of popsicle sticks.
Activity: Musical X's. Lay out two sticks in an X shape on the grass. Play music and have the children march around. When the music stops, they must find an X to stand over.
Books to Read: Xylophone: Sound of Music (or any book featuring orchestra instruments).
Song: "The Xylophone March."
Tune: The Ants Go Marching
The Xylophone makes a happy sound,
ding-ding, ding-ding!
The Xylophone makes a happy sound,
ding-ding, ding-ding!
(Pretend to hit keys with mallets)
We play the bars from low to high,
The music reaches to the sky,
And we all go marching...
To the sound of the X-X-X!
Snack: X-tra special fruit salad.
Day 3: X is at the end of FOX
Focus: Ending sounds and forest animals.
Lesson: Sometimes X hides at the end of a word! Practice saying "Fo-X."
Craft: Paper Bag Fox. Paint a paper bag orange. Add two "X" shapes for eyes and a white chest.
Activity: Fox in the Box. One child is the "Fox" and hides inside a large cardboard boX. The other children have to tiptoe up and say, "Fox in the box, are you awake?"
Books to Read:
Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss.
Song: "The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night."
Tune: Pop Goes the Weasel
All around the forest trees,
The fox chased the squirrel.
The fox jumped into the big brown box,
POP! goes the fox!
(Have the child "fox" jump out of the box)
Snack: X-trail mix (cereal, raisins, and seeds).
Day 4: X Marks the Spot
Focus: Directions and discovery.
Lesson: Talk about how pirates and explorers use an X on a map to show where something important is hidden.
Craft: Treasure Maps. Use a brown paper grocery bag. Have the children draw your backyard, adding trees and the sandbox, and marking an X where they would hide a treasure.
Activity: The Backyard X-Hunt. Hide large cardboard Xs around your yard. Have the children find them all and bring them back to the "Home Base."
Books to Read:
The Treasure Map (or any explorer-themed story).
Song: "We’re Going on an X-Hunt."
Tune: Going on a Bear Hunt rhythm
This song is a high-energy "call and response" chant. You lead a line, and the children at your daycare repeat it back to you while patting their knees to the beat.
It’s a fantastic way to get them moving around your backyard while practicing that tricky /ks/ sound!
Teacher (Call): We’re going on an X-hunt!
Kids (Response): We’re going on an X-hunt!
Teacher: We’re going to find a big one!
Kids: We’re going to find a big one!
Teacher: We’re not scared.
Kids: We’re not scared.
Teacher: Look! A big box.
Kids: A big box.
Teacher: Can’t go over it.
Kids: Can’t go over it.
Teacher: Can’t go under it.
Kids: Can’t go under it.
Teacher: Got to go through it!
(Make "creak, creak" sounds like opening a box lid)
Teacher: Look! A clever fox.
Kids: A clever fox.
Teacher: Can’t go over him.
Kids: Can’t go over him.
Teacher: Can’t go under him.
Kids: Can’t go under him.
Teacher: Got to tiptoe past him!
(Tiptoe very quietly on the grass: "shhh, shhh, shhh")
Teacher: Look! An X-ray machine.
Kids: An X-ray machine.
Teacher: Can’t go over it.
Kids: Can’t go over it.
Teacher: Can’t go under it.
Kids: Can’t go under it.
Teacher: Got to click-clack through it!
(Make "click, click, click" sounds like a camera)
Teacher: Look! An X on the ground.
Kids: An X on the ground.
Teacher: X marks the spot!
Kids: X marks the spot!
Teacher: It’s the treasure! RUN HOME!
(Everyone runs back: through the X-ray machine "click-click," past the fox "shhh-shhh," through the box "creak-creak," and back to the start!)
A "Joyful" Variation
Since you’re exploring the yard, you can hide actual cardboard X shapes around the garden. When you reach the "Look! An X on the ground!" part of the song, the children can race to be the first one to stand on it.
Snack: X-marked sandwiches (cut sandwiches diagonally to form an X).
Day 5: X is for eXercise & eXit
Focus: Movement and review.
Lesson: Review all "X" sounds. Talk about eXercising to keep our bodies strong.
Craft: eXercise Headbands. Decorate paper strips with "X" patterns to wear while moving.
Activity: The X-Jumping Jack. Show the children how to make an X with their bodies by jumping their arms and legs out wide. Do ten X-jumps together!
Books to Read:
Get Up and Go! by Nancy Carlson.
Song: "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" (at an eXtra fast speed!).
Snack: X-tra large apple slices with sun butter.