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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The letter u is an x-height letter.
- The letter u is formed by going down, around, back up, down and finish with a flick.
- The letter y is like a u but goes under the baseline to the descender line and curls up.
- The letter j is formed by going down, curls up and finishes with a dot at the top.
- The letter j and y have descenders.
Keywords
Tripod grip - a special way of holding the pencil with three fingers (thumb, index, and middle fingers) that helps us write smoothly and with control
X-height letter - letters that reach the middle height on the line
Ascenders - the part of a letter that extends above the level of the top of an "x"
Descenders - the part of a letter that descends below the level of the bottom of an "x"
Baseline - this is the line that most letters sit on
Common misconception
Confusion on the direction for the 'curl up' on the y and j.
Be consistent with wording and modelling. Left direction is 'curl up' whereas 'flick' is when the direction is to the right.
Equipment
Pencil and paper
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select the correct formation of the letter i on the tramlines.
Q2.Select the correct formation of the letter l on the tramlines.
Q3.Select the correct formation of the letter t on the tramlines.
Q4.Select the letters u and j.
Q5.Select the letter y.
Q6.Match the word to the definition.
Letters that are formed in a similar way.
Lines used as a guide to form letters at the correct size.
Parts of the letter that go above the x-height line.