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New
New
Year 2

Formation of e, s, f, v, w, x and z

I can form the letters e, s, f, v, w, x and z.

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New
New
Year 2

Formation of e, s, f, v, w, x and z

I can form the letters e, s, f, v, w, x and z.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The letters e, s, v, w, x and z are all x-height letters.
  2. The letter f has an ascender and a descender.
  3. The letters v and w are both formed by going diagonally down and back up.
  4. The letter x is formed by making two diagonal straight lines crossing in the centre.
  5. The letter z is formed by a zig-zag pattern with a straight, then diagonal and then a straight line.

Keywords

  • X-height letter - letters that sit between the baseline and the x-height line

  • Ascender - the part of a letter that extends above the x-height line

  • Descender - the part of a letter that descends below the baseline

  • Anti-clockwise direction - moving or going in the opposite direction of a clock's hands

  • Diagonal line - a line that slants or leans

Common misconception

There is a tendency for children to form the letter z backwards.

Model with directions in the room - 'straight across towards the door, diagonally back to the window, straight across to the door again'.

Having pictures around the classroom of the letters will support children with their writing. Pictures which show the starting point and direction the pencil will travel first is very useful.
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Teacher tip
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Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letter e in print.
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q2.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letter s in print.
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q3.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letter f in print.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q4.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letter v in print.
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 formation of the lower case letter w in print.
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
An image in a quiz
Q6.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letters x and z in print.
Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
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

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