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      Reviewing further common exception words, using lead ins

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can write common exception words using cursive handwriting.

      Key learning points

      1. Common exception words do not follow regular spelling or phonics rules.
      2. Letters in the common exception words will be joined using a range of joins depending on the letters in the word.
      3. The first letter always has a lead in and the last letter always has a lead out.
      4. There is appropriate spacing between the letters.
      5. You don't lift your pencil to add the 'dot' for the letter i until the letter string is complete.

      Keywords

      • Common exception word - a word that does not follow the regular spelling or phonics rules, often occurring frequently but requiring specific memorisation

      • 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

      • Join - connecting together

      • Letter string - a group of letters that are written together in a word

      Common misconception

      As a child becomes more confident at keeping their pencil on the page, they may forget to go back and add the 'dot' for the letter 'i' or the cross for the letter 't'.

      Model to the children that when you finish a word, you look back at it and check if anything is missing. Modelling this habit will create the habit for them.

      Teacher tip

      We have selected a few common exception words to use. It would be beneficial to practise other common exception words pupils come across in cursive so they become more familiar and start to memorise the spellings.

      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 statements which are correct about this pre-cursive letter.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: This is an x-height letter.
      This letter as a descender.
      Correct answer: This letter has a lead-in.
      Correct answer: This letter has a lead-out.
      This letter reaches up to the ascender line.

      Q2.
      Select the statements which are correct about this pre-cursive letter.

      An image in a quiz
      This letter has an ascender.
      Correct answer: This letter has a descender.
      Correct answer: This letter has a lead-out loop.
      This letter is an x-height letter.
      Correct answer: This letter has a lead-in.

      Q3.
      Select the statements which are correct about this pre-cursive letter.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: This letter has an ascender.
      This letter has a lead-out loop.
      This letter is an x-height letter.
      Correct answer: This letter has a lead-in and a lead-out.
      This letter only has a lead-out.

      Q4.
      You should learn pre-cursive before learning print.

      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q5.
      Select the correct cursive joins below.

      An image in a quiz
      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

      Q6.
      Select the correct cursive joins below.

      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      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

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: Reviewing further common exception words, using lead ins, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...