The Palmer Method of Business Writing · Lesson 29 · Part 6: a, d, g, q, the loop letters and L
29. Drill 30: small a
Goal: Your child writes small a as a little capital A, in connected groups of five.
You'll need
- Wide-ruled lined paper (several sheets)
- A sharp pencil or a smooth gel pen
- The book open at today's page
- A watch, clock or phone timer that shows seconds (only for the optional speed check)
What's in the book
Lesson 29 is a study page comparing capital A with small a, d, g and q, then drill 30, rows of small a.
The lesson, step by step
Warm up
Three to five minutes: compact ovals (drill 3), a line of small o (drill 11) and a line of small m (drill 14). This is the book's daily opening from now on.
Look at the model
Open the book page. Look at the study line and drill 30.
Small a is, in the main, a reduced copy of capital A, and the first parts of small d, g, and q are identical with it.
The book prefers a looped d and a short, blunt g at the end of words.
Small a in groups
Count "1, 2" for each a, or 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 for five. Close each a at the top. Six lines, as small and even as the copy.
Optional speed target: seventy a minute.
Watch for
An a that is open at the top looks like u. An a with too tall a stem looks like d.
Gentle check
Your child compares their row of a's with the book: same size? Same slant?
Finish
Write "and", "man" or "mama".