The Palmer Method of Business Writing · Lesson 54 · Part 9: S, G, p and P
49. Drills 61 to 63: capital S
Goal: Your child writes capital S with an upper loop half the height of the letter, in two finishing styles.
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 54 has drill 61 (capital S followed by a reverse traced oval), drill 62 (capital S) and drill 63 (S with an angular finish that can join the next letter).
The lesson, step by step
Warm up
About three minutes: compact ovals, then a line each of small o, small m and small l (drills 3, 11, 14 and 33).
Drill 61: S with an oval
Make S, then trace a reverse oval round it. Count ten: two for the S and eight for the oval. Two lines.
Optional speed target: about sixteen complete drills a minute.
Look at the model
Open the book page. Look at drill 62.
Study the curve of the first stroke; study the loop at the top, and give especial attention to the fact that the loop (upper part of S) is one-half the entire length of the letter.
Drill 62: rows of S
Three lines, counting "1, 2" for each.
Optional speed target: forty-five to fifty a minute.
Drill 63: the angular finish
Two lines of the S with the angular finishing stroke, which can join on to any letter after it. Count "1, 2, swing" or "1, 2, 3".
Gentle check and finish
Is the top loop half the letter? Finish by writing "Sam" or "Sue".