LA 3.07Letter Formation on Paper
The child writes individual letters with pencil on unlined, then widely lined, paper.
Age 4½–5½Work 7 of 7 in Writing Preparation
Presentation
- 1
Bring a known sandpaper letter, pencil, and a strip of unlined paper to the table.
- 2
Trace the sandpaper letter and say its sound.
- 3
Write the letter once on the paper, slowly, saying the sound.
- 4
Compare with the sandpaper letter.
- 5
Invite the child to write the letter several times across the strip, leaving a space between each.
- 6
Ask the child to circle the letter they think is best formed.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Writing letters on wide-lined paper, touching top and bottom lines
- Writing all the letters with the same starting stroke as a group (c, a, d, g, o)
- Writing letters as the adult dictates sounds
Control of error
The sandpaper letter for comparison; lines on the paper show height.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Writes most letters correctly from memory
- Keeps letters touching the guide lines
- Leaves spaces between letters
Guide note
Left-handed writers tilt the paper right and keep the wrist below the line to avoid smudging. Do not push paper writing before the hand is ready; the Moveable Alphabet lets the child compose meanwhile.