Pre-cursive formation of u, y and j
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can form the pre-cursive letters u, y and j.
Key learning points
- The letters u, y and j all have a lead in and a lead out
- The letters u, y and j all start on the baseline
- The letters y and j have a loop at the bottom of the descender as the lead out line
- The letters u and y are similarly formed but the y has a descender
Keywords
Pre-cursive - the stage of writing where children begin to learn and practice the joining of individual letters, preparing them for cursive writing
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
Loop - a rounded shape made in certain letters
Descender - the part of a letter that descends below the x-height line
Common misconception
Children can struggle with the shape and size of the loop at the end of the descender.
More tracing practice will support children to get a feel for the size and shape of the loop.
Teacher tip
Pattern practice is important before attempting loops so ensure to spend time practicing the looped pattern within the warm up.
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 statement.
Q2.Select the correct statement.
Q3.Select the letters with descenders.
Q4.Select the letters with ascenders.
Q5.True or false: pre-cursive lower case letters always have a lead in and a lead out.
Q6.Match the handwriting formation with the definition.
individual letters standing on their own
style of handwriting where the letters are joined together
formation of letters which include a lead in and a lead out
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Pre-cursive formation of u, y and j, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Pre-cursive formation of u, y and j, 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 Pre-cursive lower case letters revision unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.