Practice of x-height letters
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can form the x-height letters correctly.
Key learning points
- x-height letters can be called small letters
- x-height letters sit between the baseline and the x-height line
- The letters are formed by following the right starting point and direction
- X-height letters are all the same height
- The small letters are: a, c, o, e, i, m, n, r, s, u, v, w, x and z
Keywords
X-height letters - letters that reach the middle height on the line
Small letters - regular-sized letters that are not as tall as the tall letters
Baseline - this is the line that most letters sit on
X-height line - this is the line that x-height letters go up to
Starting point - this is the place where we begin to write a letter or shape, usually at the top or left side.
Common misconception
Some children may ask why b, d, g, p, q and y are not x-height letters.
Use pictures of these letters to emphasise to the children that they have ascenders or descenders.
Teacher tip
This is a good lesson to address confusion with direction of travel. The letters have been grouped in the cycles to support this. Lots of opportunities will be available to use arrows or points in the room to support direction.
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 letters with ascenders.
Q2.Select the letters with descenders.
Q3.Select the x-height letters.
Q4.Order the tramlines from top to bottom.
Q5.The letters s, a, o and c curl back in which direction?
Q6.Which letter has a zigzag formation?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.X-height letters sit between which two tramlines?
Q2.X-height letter are....
Q3.Select the x-height letters.
Q4.Select the small letters.
Q5.Which x-height letters are formed by going down and back up?
Q6.Which x-height letters have diagonal, straight lines?
To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Practice of x-height letters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 1 English lesson on: Practice of x-height letters, 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.