Year 1 - English
Practice of x-height letters
Writing lower case letters in print
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
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 x-height letters correctly.
Key Notes
- 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
Vocabulary To Learn
- 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 Mistakes To Avoid
- Some children may ask why b, d, g, p, q and y are not x-height letters.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.
x-height letters can be called small letters. x-height letters sit between the baseline and the x-height line.
2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'x-height letters'
letters that reach the middle height on the line.
3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.
Mistake: Some children may ask why b, d, g, p, q and y are not x-height letters. Correction: Use pictures of these letters to emphasise to the children that they have ascenders or descenders.
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 letters with descenders Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 1 English guide library.