DLI 5th Grade Guide

Groupings for Lowercase Manuscript Letters for Handwriting Instruction

The following suggestion for letter groupings in handwriting instruction represent one way to accomplish the goal of systematic instruction. Best practice for handwriting instruction integrates letter formation into letter-sound and/or letter name instruction.

Group 1: Continuous movement

h

Hat line down, up to belt line, hump forward

b

hat line down, up to belt line, forward around

m

belt line down hump, hump

n

belt line down, hump

r

belt line down up and hook

p

belt line down, below foot line, up and around

Group 2: Letters with continuous movement, beginning at 2 o’clock below belt line

a

curve up, back, around, then down

c

curve up, back, around, leave open

d

curve up, back, around, up, down

g

curve up, back, around, down below foot line, hook back

o

curve up, back, around, all the way

q

curve, back, around, down below foot line, hook forward

s

curve up, back, around, slat forward, curve back

Group 3: Letters with straight down strokes

i

belt line down, dot

l

hat line down

t

hat line down, cross

k

hat line down, slant in, slant out

f

curve up to hat line, down, cross