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      Pre-cursive formation of c, a and d

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can form the pre-cursive letters c, a and d.

      Key learning points

      1. The pre-cursive letters c, a and d all start on the baseline with a lead in
      2. The pre-cursive letters c, a and d all have a curved up stroke on the baseline as the lead out
      3. The letters c and a are x-height letters
      4. The letter d has an ascender
      5. The letters c, a and d are all formed by curling round in an anti-clockwise direction

      Keywords

      • Lead in - the stroke or line that guides us into starting a letter

      • Lead out - the stroke or line that guides us to smoothly finish a letter

      • X-height letter - letters that sit between the baseline and the x-height line

      • Curved up stroke - single movement of a pencil in a upward movement

      Common misconception

      For these letters, children may finish on the baseline and forget the curved stroke as the lead out

      Emphasise to the children through modelling that there has to be a 'tail' for the letter to join to the next letter.

      Teacher tip

      When modelling, ensure to emphasise the lead in and lead out. It can sometimes be helpful to describe it as the letters holding out their hands to join together. If you forget the lead in or lead out then they can't hold hands.

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - physical activity

      Supervision

      Adult supervision required

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Select the correct formation of the lower case letter c in print.

      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q2.
      Select the correct formation of the lower case letter a in print.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q3.
      Select the correct formation of the lower case letter d in print.

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q4.
      Select the correct formation of the pre-cursive letter b.

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q5.
      Select the correct formation of the pre-cursive letter p.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q6.
      Select the correct formation of the pre-cursive letters h and k.

      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Pre-cursive formation of c, a and d, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...