In this lesson the learners are introduced to grids, the idea of a letter space, a base line, start positions and the left-to-right rule for writing. 

Prior knowledge and skills 
The rules and attention skills for watching a demonstration and following instructions
Some experience working with grids
Ability to draw medium sized circles that fit into a block with a age appropriate control. 

Materials 
A large block grid and markers for each learner and the educator 
Example card: with letters a, n, d, h, g, i, l

   
Steps
1  Start the lesson by repeating the rules for listening, paying attention and following instructions. Make sure all the learners understand the stop-watch-listen and only start when instructed to do so. 

2  Talk to the learners about the grid: identify the rows and draw attention to the base line of each row. Demonstrate which block is the first block in the row and then count the blocks in the row. 

3  Let the learners identify the top row of the grid, the first block and count the blocks in the row moving from left to right. 

4  Demonstrate how to draw a circle in each block starting in the first block of the first row and moving from left to right. 

5  Use an empty grid to draw another row of circles - but this time make mistakes, starting in the wrong block and moving in the wrong direction. Encourage the learners to correct you. 

6  Instruct the learners draw a circle in each block of the first row, following the left to right rule. 

7  Next use examples of letters to demonstrate how letters fit in the block - each letter has it own space. Some letters are tall and some fit into the bottom half of the letter space. Other letters have tails that hang down below the base line of the block. 

8  Let the learners draw small shapes that fit in the bottom half of each of the empty blocks, following the left to right progression. 

   If the learners have already learned to print some letters, let them print these letters in the blocks.