Formation of e, s and f
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can form the letters e, s and f.
Key learning points
- The letters e and s are x-height letters.
- The letter is e is formed by "going across and around".
- The letter s is formed by "starting at the top, curling up and around and back round again".
- The letter f "starts by curling up, straight down and curls up just above the descender line".
- The letter f has a cross on the x-height line
Keywords
X-height letter - letters that reach the middle height on the line
X-height line - this is the line that x-height letters go up to
Baseline - this is the line that most letters sit on
Ascender line - the line above the x-height line which most letters with ascenders reach up to
Anti-clockwise - moving or going in the opposite direction of a clock's hands
Common misconception
Direction of movement for the s and e can be challenging.
Use the clock in the classroom to remind children of the anti-clockwise direction. Put arrows on the children's page to support.
Teacher tip
Lots of modelling of the letter s will be required. Practising curved writing patterns frequently will support the formation of these 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 lower case letter o in print.
Q2.Select the correct formation of the lower case letter g in print.
Q3.Select the correct formation of the lower case letter q in print.
Q4.Select the letter e.
Q5.Select the letter s.
Q6.Select the letter f.
To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Formation of e, s and f, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Formation of e, s and f, 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.