The easy, fun (and FREE!

Progressive way to teach handwriting.

Printing 5½+
Print out these instructions and
T.M.
Step 1
age worksheets. For more than one
student, print copies of the
“Worksheets Only” version of
this booklet.

Take a break between the

Step 2 lessons (a snack, a walk,
a nap – whatever works).
This helps to maximize the
mental “processing” of the
material.

Don’t skip the “Air Writing” – the

Step 3 big motions help commit the
patterns to memory. The motions
also help strengthen the shoulder

Book 3: from ‘i’ to ‘z’

and arm muscles for writing.

Letters taught: i, I, k, f, x, p, z. Note: More rules about capital letters

Also taught: An intro to capital letters and
will be taught in the second handwriting
how to remember ‘p’ vs. ‘g’ and ‘s’ vs. ‘z.’ series, Capital Letters.
 n so n
e s so How to write the letter ‘i’
e s continued...
L 1 (Demonstrate on a blackboard
or piece of paper.)
L 1

The letter <i> is a little line with a dot on top. Air “Writing”
To help you remember, you can pretend that
the dot is a little “eye.” “Write” the letter <i> in the air, using big arm
movements, saying:

i “Little line down.

Then a dot on top.”

Then have your child/students “air write” the

letter many times, also saying the steps out loud.

Notes: (1) Children/students need to say the

steps out loud – this is not a silent exercise.
To write the letter <i> –
(2) Write BIG letters in the air. (2) Students
should use the arm they write with.

Draw a Then put

little line a dot above
down. the line.
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise1 1– –practice
Lesson page 1 page
of 2 (A) Exercise1 1– –practice
Lesson page 2 page
of 2 (B)
(Name) (Name)

i
2
1

iiiiiiii iiiiiiiiii
llllllll in in in in in
iiiiiiii in in in in in
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 n so n
so Capital I s
Les
continued...
e
2 (Demonstrate on a blackboard L 2
or piece of paper.)

The “Big Letter I” is a tall line with a top and Air “Writing”
a bottom, almost like the little ‘i’ grew up and
started wearing sunglasses and a pair of boots. “Write” the big letter <I> in the air, using big
arm movements, saying:

i II
“Tall line down;
cross it on the top;
cross it on the bottom.”

Then have your child/students “air write”

the letter many times, also saying the steps
out loud.

To write the big letter <I> –

Note: For this lesson, there are

TWO practice pages –
Lesson 2 Practice Pages A, B, C & D.

If necessary, take a short break

Draw a Then lift And a little between the two pages.
tall line your pencil line on the
down. and put bottom.
a little line
on top.
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise2 1– –practice
Lesson page 1 page
of 2 (A) Exercise2 1– –practice
Lesson page 2 page
of 2 (B)
(Name) (Name)

I win

i II
IIIIIII I win I win
iiiiiiii I win I win
IIIIiiii I win I win
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise2 1– –practice
Lesson page 1 page
of 2 (C) Exercise2 1– –practice
Lesson page 2 page
of 2 (D)
(Name) (Name)

in a hat

i II in a
bath

IIIIIII I I I am in
iiiiiiii I I I am in
IIIIiiii I I I am in
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 n so n
so How to write the letter ‘k’ s
Les
continued...
e
3 (Demonstrate on a blackboard
or piece of paper.)
L 3

The letter <k> looks like a kitten climbing up a .wall. Air “Writing”
1
“Write” the letter <k> in the air, using big arm

k
movements, saying:
2

“Tall line down.

Slanted line in (touch!).
Slanted line out.”

Then have your child/students “air write” the

To write the letter <k> –
letter many times, also saying the steps out loud.
1

2 If anyone asks or is confused about the letter:

Note: ‘kuh’ for “cat” and ‘kuh’ for kitten

both make the same sound – “kuh.”
(grass
line)
So, yes, they make
the same sound,
Draw a Then draw Then without but the two letters
tall line a little slanted lifting your are used differently
down. line, coming pencil, slant to spell words in
toward the the line out, English.
first line. away from
the first line,
You will learn more about these
and end it at
(cut or fold)

the grass. letters later in school.

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise3 1– –practice
Lesson page 1 page
of 2 (A) Exercise3 1– –practice
Lesson page 2 page
of 2 (B)
(Name) (Name)
1

k 2

k k k k k k kid kid kid

h h h h h h hid hid hid
k k k k k k kid hid kid
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise3 1– –practice
Lesson page 1 page
of 2 (C) Exercise3 1– –practice
Lesson page 2 page
of 2 (D)
(Name) (Name)

I did

i
1 2 1

did did did did did did

dad did dad kid kid kid
I did I did hid hid hid
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 n so n
so How to write the letter ‘f’ s
Les
continued...
e
4 (Demonstrate on a blackboard
or piece of paper.)
L 4

The letter <f> looks like the letter <t> with a bent-over Air “Writing”
top, sort of like a flower bending in the wind.
“Write” the letter <f> in the air, using big arm
movements, saying:

To write the letter <f> –

ff “Round on top;
straight line down.
cross it in the middle.”

Then have your child/students “air write” the

letter many times, also saying the steps out loud.

Start at Then, without Then lift

the top lifting your your pencil
and draw pencil, make and draw
the round the line go the little line
part. straight down across the
to the “grass” middle.
(cut or fold)

line (the green

line).

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise4 1– –practice
Lesson page 1 page
of 2 (A) Exercise4 1– –practice
Lesson page 2 page
of 2 (B)
(Name) (Name)

ff
f fffffff fit fit fit fit
ttttttt it it it it it it
f fffffff fit fit fit fit
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 s on Practice Page Lesson 5 – practice page (B)
Les 5 (No verbal lesson – just practice.)
(Name)

sit sit sit sit bit bit bit bit

fit fit fit fit it bit it bit
sit sit sit sit it did it did
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 s on Practice Page Lesson 6 – practice page (B)
Les 6 (No verbal lesson – just practice.)
(Name)

if if if if if if if if if if if
it it it it it it it it it it it
fit fit fit fit if it fit in it
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 n so n
so How to write the letter ‘x’ s
Les
continued...
e
7 (Demonstrate on a blackboard
or piece of paper.)
L 7

The letter <x> looks like two bones crossing each Air “Writing”
other in an x-ray –
“Write” the letter <x> in the air, using big arm
movements, saying:
1 2
“Criss... cross.” **

Then have your child/students “air write” the

letter many times, also saying the steps out loud.

To write the letter <x> –

** Definition: Criss-cross (or “crisscross”)

is any shape or pattern where straight lines
cross over each other.

Saying “Criss... cross,” while making the

motion, will help children remember the
shape.

Draw the first Then lift your pencil and

slanted line, draw a second slanted
going down line, going the other way.
toward the The lines cross in the
(cut or fold)

right. middle.

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise7 1– –practice
Lesson page 1 page
of 2 (A) Exercise7 1– –practice
Lesson page 2 page
of 2 (B)
(Name) (Name)

1 2

x x x x x x fix fix fix it

k k k k k k kid kid kid
x x x x x x fix fix fix it
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise7 1– –practice
Lesson page 1 page
of 2 (C) Exercise7 1– –practice
Lesson page 2 page
of 2 (D)
(Name) (Name)

six six six If six mix it

mix mix mix Can six mix
six mix fix Six mix it
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 s on Practice Page Lesson 8 – practice page (B)
Les 8 (No verbal lesson – just practice.)
(Name)

six six six him him him

fix fix fix in in in in in
Can six fix I fit him in
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 n so n
so How to write the letter ‘p’ s
Les
continued...
e
9 (Demonstrate on a blackboard
or piece of paper.)
L 9

The letter <p> looks a lot like the letter <g> – they To write the letter <p>’ –
both have round bodies that sit on the grass line, and
they both have legs that go down underground. 1

Draw a line Then, without Now do a

down into lifting your bunny hop,
To help you remember which is the <p> and which the ground. pencil, come all the way
is the <g>, put your fists together with your thumbs all the way around. Don’t
pointing down: back up... lift your pencil until
you are finished!

This hand
is the
letter ‘p’
pg This hand
is the
letter ‘g’
Air “Writing”
“Write” the letter <p> in the air, using big arm
movements, saying:

Now pretend that your hands are making a pig:

“Line down, underground,
then up for a bunny hop

Wiggle your
thumbs to
pig all the way around.”

Then have your child/students “air write” the

letter many times, also saying the steps out loud.
(cut or fold)

make the
pig run.

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise9 1– –practice
Lesson page 1 page
of 2 (A) Exercise9 1– –practice
Lesson page 2 page
of 2 (B)
(Name) (Name)

pig
p p p p p p p pig pig pig
g g g g g g g pppp gggg
p p p p p p p pig pig pig
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 n so n
so Remembering the letters s
Les
continued...
e
10 (Demonstrate on a blackboard
or piece of paper.)
L 10

We can also remember with our hands –

Movement exercises (to help remember):

The letters <b> and <d> have ARMS that reach up in

the sky (make everyone wave their arms up high).
This hand
is the
letter ‘b’ bed This hand
is the
letter ‘d’

They also have LEGS that go down underground

(make everyone stand up and jump up and down).
This hand
is the
letter ‘p’ pig This hand
is the
letter ‘g’

And which one has the foot? Remember,

a “foot” is always at the END of a “leg.”

The letter <g> also has a FOOT at

the end of its leg (make everyone
shake one foot). The letter ‘g’
has the foot, so
This hand
is the
letter ‘l’ leg it’s always at
the end of the
word, “leg.”
(cut or fold)

(Repeat this exercise once or twice.)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise101 – practice
Lesson page 1 ofpage
2 (A) Exercise101 – practice
Lesson page 2 ofpage
2 (B)
(Name) (Name)

bed pig
bbbbbbb ppppppp
ddddddd ggggggg
bed bed bed pig pig pig
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise101 – practice
Lesson page 1 ofpage
2 (C) Exercise101 – practice
Lesson page 2 ofpage
2 (D)
(Name) (Name)

leg

leg leg leg big big big

pppp gggg pig pig pig
leg leg leg big pig hid
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 s on Practice Page Lesson 11 – practice page (B)
Les 11 (No verbal lesson – just practice.)
(Name)

big pig wig

w w w w w big pig wig
wet wet wig big pig wig
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 n so n
so How to write the letter ‘z’ s
Les
continued...
e
12 (Demonstrate on a blackboard
or piece of paper.)
L 12
To write the letter <z> –
The letter <z> is a zigzag
letter – it looks like this:

Because its easy to mix up the letter <z> and the

letter <s>, here are some tips to help remember
which is which:
Draw a Then, without Then, again
The “s” is curvy, like a snake. Also, a little line lifting your without lifting
snake never goes in a straight line – it at the pencil, draw a your pencil,
always moves like this... (make a curvy bottom slanted line draw another
shape with your hand in the air). of the “sky.” down to the little line along
“grass.” the “grass.”
Now you show me how a snake moves.
(Have your students show you.)

z But the letter “z” has straight lines like

a zipper... (make some straight lines with
your hand in the air).

Now you show me how you zip a zipper.

(Have your students show you.)
Air “Writing”
“Write” the letter <z> in the air, using big arm
movements, saying:

“Zig, zag, zip.”

Then have your child/students “air write” the

And then there’s the sound..
letter many times, also saying the steps out loud.
The letter <s> says “sssss” like a snake...
(have everyone make a long, loud “ssssss”). Now have your students “air write” lots of <s>
letters AND <z> letters, saying, “Sssss like a snake,”
(cut or fold)

The letter <z> says “zzzzz” like a zipper... and “Zzzzz like a zip.”
(have everyone say, “zzzzzz”).

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 Exercise121 – practice
Lesson page 1 ofpage
2 (A) Lesson 12 – practice page (B)
(Name) (Name)

s z
z z z z z z z ss sip zz zip
s s s s s s s ss sip zz zip
z z z z z z z ss sip zz zip
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 s on Practice Page Lesson 13 – practice page (B)
Les 13 (No verbal lesson – just practice.)
(Name)

tip tip tip lip lip lip lip

tip sip zip tip tip tip
tip tip tip lip lip lip lip
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 s on Practice Page Lesson 14 – practice page (B)
Les 14 (No verbal lesson – just practice.)
(Name)

I win

in

in in in in in kid hid did

in win in win did kid hid
IIII iiiii hid did kid
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 s on Practice Page Lesson 15 – practice page (B)
Les 15 (No verbal lesson – just practice.)
(Name)

it if if
if it

it bit sit f it if if if if if if
it bit sit fit if it if it if it
it bit sit fit if it fit sit
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 s on Practice Page Lesson 16 – practice page (B)
Les 16 (No verbal lesson – just practice.)
(Name)

fix fix fix him him him

six six six him him in
mix mix mix him him in
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting
 s on Practice Page Lesson 17 – practice page (B)
Les 17 (No verbal lesson – just practice.)
(Name)

pig pig pig ss sip zz zip

big big big sip zip lip
wig wig wig lip tip lip tip
(cut or fold)

Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting Copyright © 2014, 2015 Miz Katz N Ratz Progressive Phonics Beginner Book 3 Handwriting