Practice of x-height letters

I can form the x-height letters correctly.

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Year 1

Practice of x-height letters

I can form the x-height letters correctly.

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Lesson details

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.

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.

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).