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      Formation of c, a, d, o, g and q

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can form the letters c, a, d, o, g and q.

      Key learning points

      1. The letters c, a, d, o, g and q all start just below the x-height line and go round in an anti-clockwise direction.
      2. The letters c, a and o are x-height letters.
      3. The letters g and q have descenders and d has an ascender.
      4. The letter g finishes with a curl up at the descender line.
      5. The letter q finishes with a diagonal line out to the side at the descender line.

      Keywords

      • X-height letter - a letter which sits between the baseline and the x-height line

      • Ascender - the part of a letter that extends above the x-height line

      • Anti-clockwise direction - moving or going in the opposite direction of a clock's hands

      • Descender - the part of a letter that descends below the baseline

      • Diagonal line - a line that slants or leans

      Common misconception

      Children can get confused about the direction to take when forming the letters c, a, d, o, g and q.

      Be very explicit about going anti-clockwise, use a clock to emphasise this to the children.

      Teacher tip

      To support students with the anti-clockwise direction you can add an arrow on their whiteboard/paper.

      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.

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      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
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      Q2.
      Select the correct formation of the lower case letter a in print.

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

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

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

      Q4.
      Select the correct formation of the lower case letter o in print.

      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
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      An image in a quiz
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      Q5.
      Select the correct formation of the lower case letter g in print.

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

      Q6.
      Select the correct formation of the lower case letter q in print.

      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: Formation of c, a, d, o, g and q, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...