Formation of b and p
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can form the letters b and p.
Key learning points
- The letter b has an ascender.
- The letter p has a descender.
- The letters b and p are formed by "going down and back up and around".
- The middle part of the letters b and p are x-height letters and sit in the middle set of the tramlines.
Keywords
Ascender - the part of a letter that extends above the level of the top of an "x"
Baseline - this is the line that most letters sit on
Tramlines - straight, parallel lines that we can use as a guide to help us write neatly and keep our letters the same size
Descender - the part of a letter that descends below the level of the bottom of an "x"
Common misconception
Children can become confused about which of the tramlines to start and end b and p on.
Explicit naming of the start and end points and modelling of this.
Teacher tip
Remind children to place a starting dot on their tramlines. Linking to your phonics scheme can support with the formation of the letters.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Select the correct formation of the letter h.
Q2.Select the correct formation of the letter k.
Q3.Select the letter b.
Q4.Select the letter p.
Q5.Why do we use tramlines when practising our handwriting?
Q6.Place the line names of the tramlines in order from top to bottom.
To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Formation of b and p, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Formation of b and p, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 English lessons from the Writing lower case letters in print unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.