Fading Letter Boxes
Read the word. Write it three times: in the bold boxes, in the light boxes, then on the line all by yourself. Your letters stay the same size even when the boxes go away!
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This is sheet #124124601.
How to do it
- Read the word in its boxes.
- Write it in bold boxes, then light boxes.
- Write it on the plain line on your own.
Teaching tip
Compare the last word to the first. Are the letters the same size? This sheet is aligned with Common Core L.1.1a.
About this worksheet
Each word is written three times as the boxes fade away, ending on a plain line.
What kids practice
Letter boxes, sometimes called shape boxes, give every letter its own box shaped like the letter. Small letters get a short box, tall letters and capitals a tall box, and tail letters a box that hangs below the line. Occupational therapists use them to teach letter size, spacing and staying on the line.
Watch for
- Making tall letters short. Tall letters and capitals touch the top of the box.
- Letting tails sit on the line. Tails hang down into the bottom of the box.
- Writing two letters in one box, or skipping the space between words.
It's free to print, with Fewer, Standard or More on the page. See the full letter boxes guide for 1st grade.
More sheets in this set
- See it all
1. Letter Boxes ChartSmall, tall and tail letters, each with its box shape, and the word "frog" in its boxes. 
2. Alphabet in Letter BoxesLowercase a to z in their letter boxes, with empty boxes underneath to copy into.
3. Alphabet in Light Letter BoxesThe same alphabet page with light outlined boxes, a step closer to writing without boxes.
4. Capital and Lowercase Pairs in BoxesCapital and lowercase pairs like Aa, Bb and Gg in their letter boxes. Capitals always get a tall box. New sheet switches between Aa to Mm and Nn to Zz.
5. Letters by Box ShapeAll the small letters together, then the tall letters and the tail letters, each group in its box shape. New sheet switches between the two pages.
6. Which Box Fits?A letter and three boxes, short, tall and hanging. Kids circle the box that fits and write the letter in it. With an answer key.
7. Mixed-Up Letters in BoxesMixed-up lowercase letters in their letter boxes, with empty boxes underneath to copy into. New sheet makes a new mix.
8. Fading Alphabet BoxesEach letter is written three times as its box fades away, ending on a plain line.
9. Copy Words in Bold BoxesPhonics words like ship, frog and kite to copy into letter boxes, with shaded boxes in a strong blue, the easiest to see.
10. Copy Words in Light BoxesPhonics words like ship, frog and kite to copy into letter boxes, with pale shaded boxes, for kids who need less help.
11. Copy Words in Bold OutlinesPhonics words like ship, frog and kite to copy into letter boxes, with boxes drawn with a dark outline.
12. Copy Words in Light OutlinesPhonics words like ship, frog and kite to copy into letter boxes, with faint outlines, the last step before plain lines.
13. Copy Sentences in Bold BoxesSentences like "The frog can jump." to copy one letter per box, with shaded boxes in a strong blue, the easiest to see.
14. Copy Sentences in Light BoxesSentences like "The frog can jump." to copy one letter per box, with pale shaded boxes, for kids who need less help.
15. Copy Sentences in Bold OutlinesSentences like "The frog can jump." to copy one letter per box, with boxes drawn with a dark outline.
16. Copy Sentences in Light OutlinesSentences like "The frog can jump." to copy one letter per box, with faint outlines, the last step before plain lines.