Pre-writing
Straight lines across Worksheet
Printable straight lines across tracing practice. Left-to-right movement, which is the direction all writing goes. Trace the dashed guide, then try the empty row underneath. Adjust the size to suit the hand using it, then print or save a PDF.
Four steps
How to practise straight lines across
- 1
Say the cue
Start at the dot and drive straight across to the end.
- 2
Trace the guide
Start on the dot, follow the dashed line without lifting the pencil.
- 3
Try the empty row
The row underneath has no guide, so the movement is repeated unaided.
- 4
Shrink it over time
Reduce the row height as control improves.
What straight lines across trains
Left-to-right movement, which is the direction all writing goes.
Say this while they trace: “Start at the dot and drive straight across to the end.”
Why it matters later
The crossbars of A, E, F, H and t, and the whole habit of working left to right.
That connection is the reason to practise the movement on its own. When one of those letters later refuses to come out right, the problem is usually this movement rather than the letter, and a page of straight lines across fixes it faster than another page of the letter.
Where it sits in the order
This is pattern 1 of 11 in the teaching order used across these sheets. Once it is comfortable, move on to straight lines down.
Related printables
See all pre-writing patterns, or move on to alphabet tracing and number tracing when the movements are secure.
Answers