Key learning points

1. The pre-cursive letters m, n and r all have a lead in and a lead out
2. The pre-cursive letters m, n and r are all x-height letters
3. The pre-cursive letter r has a dip down below the x-height line as the lead out
4. The pre-cursive letters m, n and r all start on the baseline for their lead in
5. The pre-cursive letters m and n are formed in similar ways

Common misconception

Keywords

• Pre-cursive - the stage of writing where children begin to learn and practise the joining of individual letters, preparing them for cursive writing

• Lead in - the stroke or line that guides us into starting a letter

• Lead out - the stroke or line that guides us to smoothly finish a letter

• X-height letter - letters that sit between the baseline and the x-height line