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