# Lesson 2: Writing Letters Neatly

✍️ WRITING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Getting Started with Writing

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## Objective

I can write lowercase letters neatly on the line, keep letters about the same size, and leave clear spaces between letters and words.

## Materials

- Short, sharpened pencil
- Eraser
- Ruled paper (primary lines preferred)
- Tracing Pad (below)
- Alphabet strip or chart (to check letter shapes)

## Mini-lesson — Neat letters on the line

When your letters are neat, other people can read your words easily. Neat writing is not about being fast. It is about being careful and using the lines to help you.

1. Letters sit on the line

- Most lowercase letters sit on the bottom line.
- Some letters are tall and touch the top line (like b and l).
- Some letters have a tail that goes below the line (like g and y).

2. Letters are about the same size

- Short letters (like a, c, m) should be about the same height.
- Tall letters are taller, but all tall letters should match each other.
- Do not let letters be very big and very tiny in the same word.

3. Leave small spaces

- Leave a tiny space between each letter so they do not touch.
- Leave a bigger finger space between words.
- If letters bump into each other, slow down and try again.

4. Go slowly and start in the right place

- Start most letters near the top of the short space, not at the bottom.
- Use smooth strokes, not little scratchy marks.
- It is okay to go slowly. Slow and neat is better than fast and messy.

Ask yourself: "Is my letter sitting on the line? Is it the right size? Can I see spaces between my letters?"

Picture strip: "Neat letter line"

## Guided Practice — Neat letter rows

Use this routine to practice neat letters on the line before you write words and sentences.

1. Choose your letters: Pick one or two lowercase letters to practice, like a, c, or m. Look at an alphabet strip to check the correct shape.
2. Set up the lines: On the Tracing Pad, choose primary lines if you want to see top, middle, and bottom lines. You can change to baseline or grid later.
3. Trace slowly: Use light pressure. Start your letter near the top of the short space. Let it sit on the bottom line. Make each letter in one smooth, careful motion.
4. Check size and spaces: After a row, stop and look. Are your letters about the same height? Do they sit on the line? Is there a small space between each letter?
5. Try a second row: On your paper, write a row of the same letter, like a a a a a. Circle the row that looks the neatest.
6. Mix & match: Now choose two letters, like a m a m. Write them in a pattern on the line. Keep the pattern neat and even.

You can use this neat letter warm-up at the start of writing time to get your hand ready for tidy words and sentences.

Tracing Pad
Lines
Trace
Pen

## Drag & Drop — Build and write neat letter rules

First, build each short sentence. Then copy it onto your ruled paper.

Step 1 (on the device): Drag the words into the correct order. Release inside a slot to drop.

Step 2 (on paper): Write each finished sentence on your paper with letters on the line and clear spaces.

Letters sit on the line.
Make short letters the same size .
Leave small spaces between each word .
Start each letter near the top .
Write slowly and neatly in rows .

## Quick Check — Writing letters neatly

Answer each question about letter size, lines, and spacing. This is a gentle 10-question check.

#### Where should most lowercase letters sit?

Floating in the air On the bottom line Hanging from the top line

#### Which letters should touch the top line?

All letters No letters Tall letters like b and l

#### In a neat word, short letters should be…

About the same height All different sizes As tall as possible

#### What should be between each letter?

No space at all A small space A giant gap

#### How big should the space between words be?

A finger space No space As big as the page

#### What is the best speed for neat letters?

As fast as you can Start fast, then stop Slow and careful

#### Where should the tail of the letter g go?

Above the top line Below the bottom line In the middle of the letter

#### After you finish a row of letters, you should…

Stop and check your letters Scribble over them Erase everything

#### A neat letter is made with…

Many tiny scratchy lines A big scribble One smooth main stroke

#### How should you sit for neat writing?

Lying down on your tummy Sitting tall with feet on the floor Twisted sideways in the chair

## Assessment (parent/teacher)

Writes lowercase letters on the line (not floating in the air) Keeps most letters about the same height (short letters match, tall letters match) Leaves small spaces between letters and a finger space between words Forms letters with slow, smooth strokes, not scratchy marks

## Exit ticket (student)

😀 My letters sit on the line and look neat. 🙂 I need practice with size or spaces. 😅 Keeping my letters neat still feels tricky.

#### I will practice…

Sitting letters on the line Keeping letter size the same Leaving spaces between words
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