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The first join: en, ud and ir with no lead in

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can correctly form the first join.

Key learning points

  1. The letters are formed by following the right starting point and direction.
  2. Cursive letter joins refer to how the letters connect together.
  3. The pencil does not lift when forming the join.
  4. The first join goes from the baseline to the x-height line.
  5. The dot for the letter i gets added once the letter string is complete.

Keywords

  • Cursive - style of handwriting where the letters are joined together in a flowing and connected manner

  • Join - connecting together

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

  • Baseline - this is the line that most letters sit on

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

Common misconception

Children will often revert back to taking their pencil off the page to add the dot to the letter i.

When modelling, ensure to talk out loud to yourself showing the children you are leaving the dot until the end. For example, 'I am forming the letter i, but I remember that I leave the dot until the end'.

Teacher tip

Consistent practice is crucial. Short, daily practice sessions are more effective than longer, less frequent ones.

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.
Match the capital letters with the corresponding lower case letters.

Correct Answer:M,m

m

Correct Answer:N,n

n

Correct Answer:O,o

o

Correct Answer:P,p

p

Q2.
Match the capital letters with the corresponding lower case letters.

Correct Answer:Q,q

q

Correct Answer:R,r

r

Correct Answer:S,s

s

Correct Answer:T,t

t

Q3.
True or false? Cursive handwriting is also known as 'joined up' handwriting.

Correct Answer: True, true

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

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

Q5.
Select the correct lower case formation of the letter r 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.
Which letter is missing it's matching capital letter?

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 first join: en, ud and ir with no lead in, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...