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The third join: oo, wa, wo, on, om, ow

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can correctly form the third join.

Key learning points

  1. The letters all have a lead in and a lead out.
  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 joining from a "w" or an "o", remember the small 'dip down' to aid joining.
  4. The pencil does not lift when forming the join.
  5. When using the third join you leave enough space to ensure the letters are not touching without leaving a big gap.

Keywords

  • Join - connecting together

  • Lead in - the stroke or line that guides us into starting a letter

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

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

  • Dip down - dropping under something

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 (2026), 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.
'Ready, line, go' is useful to say before starting to write because...

it gets you emotionally ready.
it lets the people around you know you are ready.
Correct answer: it reminds you to start on the baseline for the lead in.

Q2.
Select the correct first join.

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

Q3.
Select the correct first join.

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 second join.

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

Q5.
Select the correct second join.

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

Q6.
Match the key term with the correct definition.

Correct Answer:first join,goes from the baseline to the x-height line

goes from the baseline to the x-height line

Correct Answer:second join,goes from the baseline up towards the ascender line

goes from the baseline up towards the ascender line

Correct Answer:break letter,a letter that you lift your pencil after forming in cursive

a letter that you lift your pencil after forming in cursive


To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: The third join: oo, wa, wo, on, om, ow, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...