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Learn uppercase cursive letters and practice connecting letters to write full words.
Imagine your pen is a roller coaster that never has to stop for a break! Did you know that writing in cursive can actually help your brain think faster because you don't have to lift your pen between every letter?
In cursive, uppercase letters (also called capital letters) are the stars of the show! They are often larger and more decorative than lowercase letters. Some uppercase letters, like A, C, and E, have a little 'tail' at the end that allows them to connect to the next letter. However, some capitals like O or S might stand alone. Learning these shapes is like learning a secret code. While lowercase letters do most of the work in a sentence, the uppercase letters stand tall at the beginning to let everyone know a new thought is starting. Remember, the goal is fluidity—keeping your hand relaxed so the pen glides across the page.
Quick Check
Do all uppercase cursive letters have to connect to the letter that comes after them?
Answer
No, some uppercase letters stand alone, while others have tails to connect.
The most important part of cursive is the connection. Think of every letter having a small 'hand' or 'tail' called an exit stroke. To write a word, one letter's exit stroke reaches out to become the entry stroke of the next letter. This creates a 'bridge' between them. When we write three-letter words, we practice keeping the pen on the paper for all three letters. For example, in the word 'cat', the 'c' reaches for the 'a', and the 'a' reaches for the 't'. We only lift our pen to cross the 't' or dot an 'i' after the whole word is finished!
1. Start with the letter 'c' at the baseline. 2. Without lifting your pen, swing the tail of the 'c' up to start the 'a'. 3. Complete the 'a' and swing its tail up to start the 't'. 4. Once the 't' is done, lift your pen and cross the 't' with one straight line.
Quick Check
When should you dot your 'i' or cross your 't' in a cursive word?
Answer
You should do it only after you have finished writing the entire word.
Why do we learn this? It's all about efficiency. In manuscript (printing), you lift your pen for every single letter. If a word has letters, you might lift your pen times! In cursive, you only lift your pen once at the end. This 'continuous flow' allows your hand to move faster. Scientists have found that this flow helps students remember their ideas better because they aren't stopping and starting constantly. Imagine running a race where you have to stop every three steps versus running smoothly to the finish line—that is the difference between printing and cursive!
Try writing the word 'sun' three times in print, then three times in cursive. 1. Print: s-u-n (3 lifts per word). Total lifts: . 2. Cursive: sun (0 lifts until the end). Total lifts: . Notice how much smoother the second version feels!
Write the name 'Amy' starting with an uppercase 'A'. 1. Draw the large cursive 'A'. 2. Use the 'A's' exit stroke to glide right into the first hump of the 'm'. 3. Finish the 'm' and glide into the 'y'. 4. Ensure the 'y' loops below the baseline and finishes with a tail.
What is the name of the stroke that connects one letter to the next?
If you write a 5-letter word in cursive, how many times do you usually lift your pen during the middle of the word?
Writing in cursive can help you write your ideas down faster than printing.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to write your name in cursive and see if you can remember which uppercase letters connect and which ones stand alone.
Practice Activity
Practice writing 'the', 'and', and 'cat' in cursive five times each to feel the 'bridge' between the letters.