Cursive handwritingGrades 2–4
Cursive Z
Prints a cursive Z page: a large model, capital and small z to trace, a joined row, and zoo, zip and zebra. The last letter of the alphabet, for grades 2 to 4.
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On this page
What prints
The last page of the set opens with a large dark "Zz", "Print: Z z" and the words zoo, zip, zebra. Under it: two lines of capital Z, two of small z, a "zzz" line, and each word. The first copy is dark and the rest grey.
Small z
Small z does not look like a print z. Start at the baseline, undercurve up to the midline, then make a small curve across the top, sweep down to the baseline on the left, and finish with a tail that drops below the line and curls back, a little like a figure 3. This is the same descending tail idea as in g and j, only smaller.
Z is the fourth of the special-shape letters on this site, with s, r and q. It also falls in the over-curve family.
Capital Z
Capital Z is a curved cousin of the number 3, with a curl at the top and a swing at the bottom that drops below the baseline. Zaner-Bloser and D'Nealian both soften the print form; they differ in details. The model is from a font in a natural hand, so a school's chart wins when they conflict.
Joining z
Z rarely sits at the start of a long chain. When it does, as in "zoo", the tail exits the loop at the baseline and the next letter o meets it at the top. In "zip" the tail leads into i, and in "zebra" into e. The z tail sits lower than most, so the join may need a slight lift. The zzz row shows the tail overlapping the next z: keep the lines wide enough.
Typical mistakes
- A print z with sharp corners and a horizontal bar
- Tail too short to reach under the line
- Capital Z drawn as a 2
- No curve at the top, so the letter looks like a 7
The settings
- Practice. One letter.
- Letter. Z z when the page opens.
- Line size. Beginners should take Large, regular practice suits Medium, and Small is for fluent hands.
Worked example: Ben finishes the alphabet
Ben has done every other page and meets z last. His teacher prints at Line size: Medium. He traces the dark small z and says "up, over, down, curl". On the zzz row the tail swings under the baseline. "Zoo" takes two tries, since the join to o must rise to the top. Then he writes "zebra" with only one lift.
The previous page is cursive Y. To go back over everything, use cursive worksheets A to Z or the cursive alphabet chart.
Sources
- Reading Rockets: Writing (handwriting and writing instruction for children) readingrockets.org