Letter Q Formation Worksheet
Trace the capital Q and the small q with numbered start points and direction arrows, then write them on your own.
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How to write the letter Q
The capital Q is written in two strokes, and the small q in two strokes. The worksheet above is already set to this letter. It shows a model of each letter with green numbered start points and red direction arrows, then rows of dotted copies to trace and empty space to write on your own. Change the letter case, the size or the number of rows in the settings.
Capital Q
Draw a circle, as for the capital O, starting at the top and going counter-clockwise. Then lift your pencil and add a short slanted tail at the bottom right, going down and to the right.
Small q
Draw a small circle, starting near the top right and going counter-clockwise. Then draw a straight line down the right side, from the top of the circle into the space below the base line.
Teaching tip for Q
In the small q, the line is on the right and drops below the base line. It is a mirror image of p, so the two are easily mixed up. In English words q nearly always comes with u (queen, quick), so teach the pair "qu" together.
The sound of Q and words to practice
The letter Q usually stands for the sound /kw/ as in queen (q is almost always followed by u). Words to practice: queen, quilt, question, quail, quarter, quack. Say each word, listen for the first sound and trace the letter. Try the beginning sounds worksheets to match the sound to pictures, or trace the words themselves with word tracing.
Letters that look alike
The letter Q is easy to mix up with Letter Pp and Letter Gg. Practice them on separate days, one at a time, and say the starting point out loud each time before the pencil touches the paper.
More letters
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Frequently asked questions
Why is q always followed by u?
In English words the letter q is almost always followed by u, and together they say /kw/, as in queen, quick and equal. A few words borrowed from other languages, such as Qatar, do not follow this rule, but children rarely meet them in early reading.
Free printable workbooks
Want a planned set instead of a single page? These free PDF workbooks use the same worksheets in a step-by-step order.
ABC Tracing Book
Every letter A to Z with numbered stroke arrows, a picture to color and a word to trace.
Dot Marker Activity Book
Big letters, numbers, shapes and pictures filled with circles for dot markers, stickers or fingertips.
CVC Words Workbook
Read, build, trace and write short a, e, i, o and u words with pictures, sound boxes and sentences.
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