2. How to Teach Letter Formation

Students who are proud of their handwriting and who can write fluently are more likely to write more frequently, with more quality, and have more interest in writing.  This skill begins early and takes repeated practice and lots of feedback to really help them to master the skill early in their literacy development.

To explicitly teach letter formation, use the following descriptors while modeling how to form each letter as they are learning the letters’ names and sounds. Lines are often provided names to describe where students should begin and end their strokes to form the letters. 

Letters written in manuscript should be formed using one continuous stroke, meaning students do not pick up their pencil in the process of forming the letter. If students are taught using this approach, when expected to learn cursive, the strokes are often very similar and it’s easier to teach and learn.

Let's look at the letter 'a'. When you teach students how to write the a lower case 'a', you might say,

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.

Here are the directional strokes for teaching all of the lower case letters in the alphabet.

From Carreker, S (1992). Reading readiness. Bellaire, TX: Neuhaus Education Center; adapted with permission.

Letter Recognition and Formation Charts

There are a number of programs available to support the formation of individual letters.  They typically begin with uppercase letters and gradually move to lowercase letters.  Our recommended letter formation strokes can help! Download these handy reference carts and charts for your classroom. 

Recognizing and Forming Letters Chart

Letter Formation Cards (A to Z)

Letter Formation Student Desk Charts