Looped descenders and break letters | English | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

Select the correct formation of the lower case letter y in print.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letter g in print.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letter j in print.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letter f in print.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letter x in print.
Select the correct formation of the lower case letter z in print.

Worksheet

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Presentation

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Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

In cursive handwriting, letters with descenders use a lead out loop to join with the next letter in the letter string.
The descenders for y, g, j and f have a loop to aid joining.
The letter f has a lead in and a lead out loop to aid joining.
Break letters are letters in the alphabet that do not join to the next letter in the letter string.
The letters x and z are break letters.

Common misconception

Some children might think the break letters don't join to any letters at all.

Model and frequently re-visit the concept that break letters do join to the letters before them but don't join to the letters after them. Over exaggerate when modelling that you lift your pencil after the break letter.

Keywords

Descender - the part of a letter that descends below the level of the baseline
Lead out - the stroke or line that guides us to smoothly finish a letter and join to the next
Loop - a rounded shape made in certain letters
Letter string - a group of letters that are written together in a word
Break letter - a letter which doesn't join to the letter after it in a letter string