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      The third join: oo, og, wa and wo with no lead in

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can correctly form the third join.

      Key learning points

      1. The letters are formed by following the right starting point and direction.
      2. The third join starts at the x-height line and dips below the x-height line and back up to join the next letter.
      3. When using the third join, you leave enough space to ensure the letters are not touching without leaving a big gap.
      4. The pencil does not lift in between the beginning and end of a letter string or word.

      Keywords

      • Join - how things connect

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

      • Starting point - the point the formation of a letter begins on the tramlines

      • Dips below - dropping under something

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

      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 (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.
      True or false. The uppercase formation is always the same as it's lowercase formation but bigger.

      Correct Answer: false, False

      Q2.
      Select the correct formation of the first join ac.

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

      Q3.
      Select the correct formation of the first join ag.

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

      Q4.
      Select the correct formation of the first join na.

      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 formation of the first join to.

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

      Q6.
      True or false. The first join is from the baseline to the ascender line.

      Correct Answer: false, False

      To help you plan your 2 English lesson on: The third join: oo, og, wa and wo with no lead in, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...