Letter Formation Language

For homework that requires handwriting, please use the following language, to help your child correctly form the LOWERCASE letters.  We use this language at school and your child will be familiar with these terms. For capital letters, the only term you should be reviewing with your child is that all capitals letters start at the “Sky Line.”

 

The lines on the paper we use have special names:

 

The top line is the “Sky Line.”

The middle line is the “Plane Line.”

The bottom line is the “Grass Line.”

The far bottom line (for lowercase letters such as “p”) is the “Worm Line.”

 

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a is a plane line round letter. It starts on the plane line. Fly back on the plane line, down and around to the grass line. Straight line up the plane line, trace back down to the grass line.

 

b is a sky line letter. It starts on the sky line. Straight line down to the grass line, trace up to the plane line and fly around to the grass line.

 

c is a plane line round letter.  It starts on the plane line. Fly back on the plane line and go down and around to the grass line.

 

d is a plane line round letter. It starts on the plane line (just like a “c”). Fly back on the plane line and go down around to the grass line. Straight line up the sky line, and trace back down to the grass line.

 

e is SPECIAL letter. It starts below the plane line (point between the plane line and the grass line). Fly over and up to the plane line, then around to the grass line.

 

f is a sky line letter.  It starts in the sky line. Fly back on the sky line and make a straight line down to the grass line (looks like a candy cane). Pick your pencil up and cross on the plane line.  

 

g is a plane line round letter. It starts on the plane line (just like a “c”). Fly back on the plane line, go down and around to the grass line and back up to the plane line.  Make a straight line down to the worm line and make a hook (“hook the worm”).

 

h is a sky line letter.  It starts on the sky line. Straight line down to the grass line. Trace back up to the plane line and make a “hump” back down to the grass line.

 

i is a plane line letter. It starts on the plane line. Straight line down to the grass line. Pick your pencil back up and make a dot in between the plane line and the sky line. (no “lollipop” i’s)

 

j is a plane line letter. It starts on the plane line. Straight line down to the worm line and make a “hook” towards the worm. Pick your pencil back up and make a dot in between the plane and the sky line. (no “lollipop” j’s).

 

k is a sky line letter. It starts on the sky line.  Straight line down the grass line. Pick your pencil back up, leave a little space on the plane line. Make a “sliding board” line to the straight line and a “sliding board” line down to the grass line.

 

l is a sky line letter. It starts on the sky line.  Straight line all the way down to the grass line and stop.  

 

m is a plane line letter. It starts on the plane line.  Straight line down to the grass line, trace back up to the plane line. Make a hump down to the grass line, trace back up to the plane line and make one more hump down to the grass line.

 

n is plane line letter. It starts on the plane line. Straight line down to the grass line, trace back up to the plane line and make a hump down to the grass line.

 

O is a plane line round letter. It starts on the plane line, fly back on the plane line, around to the grass line, and back up and around to the plane line.

 

p is a plane line round letter. It starts on the plane line.  Straight line down to the worm line, trace back up to the plane line and around to grass line.

 

q is a plane line round letter.  It starts on the plane line (just like a “c”). Fly back on the plane line, go down and around to the grass line and back up to the plane line.  Make a straight line down to the worm line and make a hook away from the worm.

 

r is a plane line letter.  It starts on the plane line.  Straight line down to the grass line, trace back up to the plane line and make a little curve.

 

s is a plane line round letter. It starts on the plane line (just like a “c”).  Fly back on the plane line and make a tiny little “c”.  Then fly back again and land on the grass (like a snake).

 

t is a sky line letter.  It starts on the sky line. Straight line down to the grass line, pick your pencil up and cross on the plane line.  

 

u is a plane line letter.  It starts on the plane line, straight line down to the grass line, make a curve and go straight back up to the plane line, and trace a straight line back down to the grass line.

 

v is a plane line slide letter. It starts on the plane line. Make a “sliding board” down the grass line and “sliding board” back up to the plane line.

 

w is a plane line slide letter.  It starts on the plane line.  Make a “sliding board” down the grass line, a “sliding board” back up to the plane line, a “sliding board” down the grass line, and another “sliding board” back up to the plane line.

 

x is a plane line slide letter. It starts on the plane line.  Make a “sliding board” down to the grass line. Pick your pencil back up and leave a space on the plane line. Make another “sliding board” down to the grass line, crossing in the middle (x marks the spot!).

 

y is a plane line slide letter. It starts on the plane line.  Make a “sliding board” down to the grass line. Pick your pencil back up and leave a space on the plane line. Make another “sliding board” all the way down to the worm line.

z is a plane line slide letter, but it does not slide right away.  It starts on the plane line.  Fly on the plane line, then make a “sliding board” down to the grass line and a straight line over on the grass line.