New
New
Year 2

Pre-cursive formation of u, y and j

I can form the pre-cursive letters u, y and j.

New
New
Year 2

Pre-cursive formation of u, y and j

I can form the pre-cursive letters u, y and j.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The letters u, y and j all have a lead in and a lead out
  2. The letters u, y and j all start on the baseline
  3. The letters y and j have a loop at the bottom of the descender as the lead out line
  4. The letters u and y are similarly formed but the y has a descender

Common misconception

Children can struggle with the shape and size of the loop at the end of the descender.

More tracing practice will support children to get a feel for the size and shape of the loop.

Keywords

  • Pre-cursive - the stage of writing where children begin to learn and practice the joining of individual letters, preparing them for cursive writing

  • 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

  • Loop - a rounded shape made in certain letters

  • Descender - the part of a letter that descends below the x-height line

Pattern practice is important before attempting loops so ensure to spend time practicing the looped pattern within the warm up.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Select the correct statement.
Descender refers to the part of a letter that is above the x-height line.
Descender refers to the part of a letter that is below the x-height line.
Correct answer: Descender refers to the part of a letter that is below the baseline.
Q2.
Select the correct statement.
Ascender refers to the part of the letter that is above the baseline.
Correct answer: Ascender refers to the part of the letter that is above the x-height line.
Ascender refers to the part of the letter that is below the baseline.
Q3.
Select the letters with descenders.
Correct answer: g
b
Correct answer: y
Correct answer: q
d
Q4.
Select the letters with ascenders.
g
s
Correct answer: b
Correct answer: d
Correct answer: l
Q5.
True or false: pre-cursive lower case letters always have a lead in and a lead out.
Correct Answer: true, True
Q6.
Match the handwriting formation with the definition.
Correct Answer:print,individual letters standing on their own

individual letters standing on their own

Correct Answer:cursive,style of handwriting where the letters are joined together

style of handwriting where the letters are joined together

Correct Answer:pre-cursive,formation of letters which include a lead in and a lead out

formation of letters which include a lead in and a lead out

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