Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn to sit comfortably and hold a pencil correctly. They learn handwriting patterns to help with letter formation and how to form all 26 lowercase letters in print. Finally, pupils practise forming letters in different letter families, for example ascenders and descenders.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to form the letters with descenders correctly.

Key Notes

• The part of the letter that goes below the baseline is called the descender
• Letters with descenders reach down towards the descender line
• The letters g, j, p, q and y all start on the x-height line
• The letters with descenders are: g, j, p, q, f and y

Vocabulary To Learn

• descender: the part of a letter that descends below the level of the bottom of an "x"
• baseline: this is the line that most letters sit on
• descender line: the line below the baseline that descenders go down to
• x-height line: this is the line that x-height letters go up to
• starting point: starting point is the place where we begin to write a letter or shape, usually at the top or left side.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• That g, y, p and q are x-height letters.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Formation of b and p Study Guide
• Formation of c, a and d Study Guide
• Formation of e, s and f Study Guide
• Formation of h and k Study Guide
• Formation of i, l and t Study Guide
• Formation of m, n and r Study Guide
• Formation of o, g and q Study Guide
• Formation of u, y and j Study Guide
• Formation of v,w, x and z Study Guide
• Introduction to skills and patterns Study Guide
• Practice of letters with ascenders Study Guide
• Practice of x-height letters Study Guide