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

the stroke or line that guides us into starting a letter

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

this is the line that x-height letters reach

The third join: us, rs and ws with lead in

English

The first join: in, ig, ed, eg with lead in

The first join: aw, ap, an, ar with lead in

The second join: ck, ch with lead in

The second join: if, il, it with lead in

The third join: oo, wa, wo with lead in

The third join: on, om, ow with lead in

The fourth join: ob, of, ot, oh with lead in

The fourth join: wl, ok, rt and rl with lead in

The third join: oe, we, ve and re with lead in

In this unit, pupils learn the four joins. In 'Handwriting: capital letters and numerals', pupils practise formation and size of capital letters and numerals. 

In 'Pre-cursive lower case letters', pupils learnt the pre-cursive letter formation for all 26 lower case letters. In this unit, pupils build on this knowledge, learning the pre-cursive four joins and break letters.

In this unit, pupils learn to form each of the four joins with 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

Put the tramlines in the correct order, from the top to the bottom.

Which line do x-height letters reach up to?

Select the correct formation of the third join of 'oe'.

Select the correct formation of the third join of 'we'.

Select the correct formation of the third join of 've'.

Select the correct formation of the third join of 're'.

The third join: us, rs and ws with lead in

Lesson outcome

Content guidance