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Cursive handwritingGrades 2–4

Cursive X

Prints a cursive X page: a large model, capital and small x to trace, a joined row, and fox, box and six. For children in grades 2 to 4.

By Paul Gunder. Free to print for home, classroom and office use; see how our printables are made.

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Cursive X: Capital X and Small x2 pages · US Letter

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NameDateScoreCursive X: Capital X and Small xTrace the grey letters, starting each one where the dark model starts. Then practise x joined to itself and in wordsthat start with x.Print: X xWords: fox, box, sixPrintablePal.com · free cursive worksheetsCursive X: Capital X and Small x · page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2
NameDateScoreCursive X: Capital X and Small xTrace the grey letters, starting each one where the dark model starts. Then practise x joined to itself and in wordsthat start with x.Print: X xWords: fox, box, sixPrintablePal.com · free cursive worksheetsCursive X: Capital X and Small x · page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 2

On this page

What prints

A large dark "Xx" at the top, then "Print: X x" and fox, box, six. The lines below carry two rows of capital X, two of small x, an "xxx" row and the words. The first copy on each is dark.

Small x

Small x is two strokes. First, a curved line from top left that sweeps down to the baseline, curving as it goes, like the right side of a parenthesis flipped. Then lift and draw the cross stroke, a short slanted line from top right to bottom left through the first. In a word the cross is often added last, after the whole word, to keep the joins smooth.

X belongs to the over-curve group in Zaner-Bloser, with n, m, v, y and z. Because x almost always sits at the end of a short word, its main job is receiving a join, not giving one.

Capital X

Capital X is also two strokes: a curve from the upper left to the lower right, and a second curve crossing it. Programs vary, and D'Nealian differs. This font looks like a natural handwriting, so it is a guide, not a rule.

Joining x

Letters join into x from the baseline with a low upstroke. In "fox" the o has to exit from the top and drop to the start of x. In "box" the same happens. In "six" the i exit is low and easy. Since x has little exit stroke of its own, the xxx row is mostly lifted pencil work: write each x, then cross.

Errors

  • A print X made of two straight lines
  • Crossing at the wrong height
  • Cross stroke pointing the wrong way
  • Forgetting to cross, so x looks like a c

The settings

  • Practice. One letter.
  • Letter. X x on open.
  • Line size. Beginners use Large; Medium is the default; Small fits confident writers.

Worked example: Noor writes six

Noor writes "six" and leaves out the cross, so it reads "sic". Her teacher prints at Line size: Medium. On the "xxx" row she writes three curves, then goes back for three crosses. In "fox" she writes f, o and the curve, then crosses.

Before this, cursive W. After, cursive Y. The cursive alphabet chart shows x next to every other letter.

Sources

  1. Reading Rockets: Writing (handwriting and writing instruction for children) readingrockets.org