style of handwriting where the letters are joined together in a flowing and connected manner

the stroke or line that guides us to smoothly finish a letter

this is the line that most letters sit on

this is the line that x-height letters reach

The first join: ag, ac, na and to with no lead in

English

The first join: id, ig, ed, eg with no lead in

The first join: en, ud and ir with no lead in

The second join: ck, ch, nk, lk  with no lead in

The second join: il, it, ik, ul with no lead in

The second join: el, mb, at and tt with no lead in

The third join: oo, og, wa and wo with no lead in

The third join: on, om, ow, oi with no lead in

The third join: os, rm, wi with no lead in

The fourth join: wl, oh and ot with no lead in

The fourth join: ol, ok and of with no lead in

The fourth join: rl, rk and rt with no lead in

Looped descenders and break letters

Review of the four joins with no lead ins

In this unit, pupils learn the four joins and break letters with no lead ins. In 'Year 2: Handwriting: capital letters and numerals', pupils practise formation and size of capital letters and numerals.

In 'Year 2: Handwriting: lower case letters revision', pupils learnt the letter formation for all 26 lower case letters. In this unit, pupils build on this knowledge, learning the four joins and break letters.

In this unit, pupils learn to form each of the four joins without lead ins. They practise using diagonal and horizontal strokes to connect letters and identify 'break letters' that do not join. Pupils also learn how to form looped descenders and how to end a join with a lead out.

The four joins

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Risk assessment required - physical activity

True or False? Cursive handwriting is 'joined up' handwriting.

Match the capital letter with its corresponding lower case letter.

Match the capital letter to its corresponding lower case letter.

Which is the correct formation of the letter x in print?

Which is the correct formation of the letter y in print?

Which is the correct formation of the letter z in print?

The first join: ag, ac, na and to with no lead in

Lesson outcome

Content guidance