- Define and explain Joining Letters in your own words
- Use key terms such as baseline accurately
- Apply what you have learned to new examples and questions
- Avoid the common mistakes learners make with this topic
This lesson focuses on Joining Letters: connect letters smoothly to build fluent, joined-up writing.
Connect letters smoothly to build fluent, joined-up writing.
Key ideas
Start at the top
Almost every letter starts at the top and travels down or around. Starting letters in the right place keeps them neat and makes joining them later much easier.
Spaces matter as much as letters
Leave a finger-width space between each word so your writing can be read easily. Words that run together are hard to read, even when every letter is perfect.
Key term — baseline: The line that letters sit on. Round letters like a, c and o rest on the baseline.
Which of these letters have ascenders: b, a, h, g?
b and h.
Answer: b and h.
- Writing letters in different sizes Use the lines to guide you: tall letters reach the top line, small letters stay between the lines.
- Starting letters at the bottom Nearly all letters start at the top. Bottom-up letters are slow and hard to join later.
Practice
p and y.
Resting on the baseline.
At the start of a sentence and for names of people and places.
Holding the pencil with the thumb and first two fingers.
Quick check
Which of these best defines "baseline"?
How big should the space between words be?
- Joining Letters: connect letters smoothly to build fluent, joined-up writing.
- Start at the top: Almost every letter starts at the top and travels down or around.
- ascender: The tall part of a letter that rises above the rest, such as the top of b, d, h and k.
- Watch out for: writing letters in different sizes