Capital letters: J, U, X, Y and Z
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can form the capital letters J, U, X, Y and Z.
Key learning points
- The capital letters J, U, X, Y and Z start on the ascender line.
- The capital letters J, U, X, Y and Z all have either one or two vertical or diagonal lines going down to the baseline.
- The letters J, X and Y all need the pencil to be lifted to form the horizontal or diagonal lines.
- You do not lift your pencil when forming the letters U and Z.
- The letter Z has a zigzag pattern.
Keywords
Ascender line - the line above the x-height line which most letters with ascenders reach up to
Baseline - the tramline that most letters sit on
Vertical line - a straight line that goes up and down
Horizontal line - a straight line that goes from left to right or right to left
Diagonal line - a line that slants or leans
Common misconception
The formation of the Y and the Z can be challenging for children at first, particularly finding the correct position for the diagonal lines and forming the zig-zag.
Giving the children lots of opportunities to trace these letters will help them to become familiar with the formation and the sizing.
Teacher tip
Teaching capital letters gives a fun opportunity to get children looking around their environment and noticing capital letters. Can they spot capital letters around the classroom? On road signs? Ask them to think about why capital letters are being used- this can be a valuable revision discussion.
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.A capital letter is....
Q2.Select the capital letters.
Q3.Select the capital letters which have curved lines in their formation.
Q4.Select the capital letters which have straight, horizontal lines in their formation.
Q5.Select the correct formation of the capital letter A.
Q6.Order these capital letters in alphabetical order.
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Capital letters: J, U, X, Y and Z, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Capital letters: J, U, X, Y and Z, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 English lessons from the Capital letters and numerals unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.