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      Reviewing further common exception words, no 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 starts at the correct starting point.
      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

      • Join - connecting together

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

      • Starting point - the starting point is the place where we begin to write a letter

      • 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 (2026), 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 lower case letter in print.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: this letter has a cross on the x-height line
      this letter has a cross on the baseline
      Correct answer: this letter has an ascender
      Correct answer: this letter has a descender
      this letter is an x-height letter

      Q2.
      Select the statements which are correct about this lower case letter in print.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: this letter starts on the x-height line
      this letter starts on the baseline
      this letter is an x-height letter
      this letter has an ascender
      Correct answer: this letter has a descender

      Q3.
      Select the statements which are correct about this lower case letter in print.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: this letter has a dot at the top
      Correct answer: this letter has a descender
      this letter is an x-height letter
      this letter finishes on the baseline
      Correct answer: this letter curls up at the descender line

      Q4.
      True or false? You should use cursive handwriting before learning print.

      Correct Answer: false, False

      Q5.
      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

      Q6.
      Select the correct cursive joins below.

      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: Reviewing further common exception words, no lead-ins, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...