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      The third join: oe, we, ve and re with lead in

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can correctly form the third join with a lead in and lead out.

      Key learning points

      1. The letters all have a lead in and a lead out.
      2. The pencil does not lift when forming the join.
      3. The third join starts at the x-height line and dips below the x-height line and back up to join the next letter.
      4. When connecting the letter e, with the third join, the dip down starts the formation of the letter e.

      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 line - this is the line that x-height letters reach

      • Dip down - dropping under something

      Common misconception

      Children can struggle to get the gap size between the letters correct with this join.

      Model this join lots emphasising 'we dip down and across and then form the next letter so they can still hold hands. We don't want them to be far away from each other'.

      Teacher tip

      Give the children a visual of the letters being joined together by holding hands. If you lift your pencil then you are breaking the connection and they can't hold hands.

      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.
      Match each description to the correct handwriting style.

      Correct Answer:cursive,letters are joined

      letters are joined

      Correct Answer:print,each letter is formed separately

      each letter is formed separately

      Correct Answer:pre-cursive,letters have a lead in and a lead out

      letters have a lead in and a lead out

      Q2.
      Select the x-height letters.

      Correct answer: a
      Correct answer: w
      Correct answer: r
      h
      y

      Q3.
      Select the correct formation of the fourth join of 'wl'.

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

      Q4.
      Select the correct formation of the fourth join of 'ok'.

      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 fourth join of 'rt'.

      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 fourth join of 'rl'.

      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: The third join: oe, we, ve and re with lead in, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...