Looking for videos of exemplary classroom instruction? Check out the Reading Universe YouTube channel.

Skill Explainer

2. How to Teach Letter Formation

Handwriting and Letter Formation Skill Explainer

Marion McBride, M.Ed.
a template to for students to use when learning to write letters of the alphabet

To write a lower case letter ‘a’, begin on the belt line, go around to the shoe line, back up the belt line and then down to the shoe line.

A capital letter A and a lower case letter a with up down directional arrows for handwriting the letter.
a – around, up, down b – down, up, around | Say: It's a straight back with a big belly. c – around, stop d – around, up, down | Say: See (as in 'c') the 'd'. e – across, around, stop f – curve, down, cross g – around, down, hook h – down, hump i – down, dot j – down, hook, dot k – down, slant in, slant out l – down m – down, hump, hump n – down, hump o – around, close p – down, up, around q – around, down, backwards hook r – down, up, over s – curve, slant, curve t – down, cross u – down, curve up, down v – slant down, up w – slant down, up, slant down, up x – slant right, slant down y – slant right, slant left z – across, slant, across
Recognizing and Forming Letters Chart

Recognizing and Forming Letters Chart

Letter Formation Cards

Letter Formation Cards (A to Z)

Letter Formation Student Desk Chart

Letter Formation Student Desk Charts

Reading Universe is made possible by generous support from Jim & Donna Barksdale; the Hastings/Quillin Fund, an advised fund of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (opens in new window); the AFT (opens in new window); the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation (opens in new window); and three anonymous donors.

AFT Education Healthcare Public Services