Letter boxes worksheets
Aligned with Common Core L.K.1a
Printable kindergarten letter box worksheets: a letter box chart, alphabet practice in letter boxes, copying words and sentences in bold or light boxes and outlines, and fading boxes.
The worksheets
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Letter Boxes Chart
Small, tall and tail letters, each with its box shape, and the word "dog" in its boxes.
Alphabet in Letter Boxes
Lowercase a to m in their letter boxes, with empty boxes underneath to copy into. Tap New sheet for n to z.
Alphabet in Light Letter Boxes
The same alphabet page with light outlined boxes, a step closer to writing without boxes. Tap New sheet for n to z.
Capital and Lowercase Pairs in Boxes
Capital and lowercase pairs like Aa, Bb and Gg in their letter boxes. Capitals always get a tall box. New sheet shows the next nine pairs.
Letters by Box Shape
All 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.
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.
Mixed-Up Letters in Boxes
Mixed-up lowercase letters in their letter boxes, with empty boxes underneath to copy into. New sheet makes a new mix.
Fading Alphabet Boxes
Each letter is written three times as its box fades away, ending on a plain line.
Copy Words in Bold Boxes
Short words like dog, pig and hat to copy into letter boxes, with shaded boxes in a strong blue, the easiest to see.
Copy Words in Light Boxes
Short words like dog, pig and hat to copy into letter boxes, with pale shaded boxes, for kids who need less help.
Copy Words in Bold Outlines
Short words like dog, pig and hat to copy into letter boxes, with boxes drawn with a dark outline.
Copy Words in Light Outlines
Short words like dog, pig and hat to copy into letter boxes, with faint outlines, the last step before plain lines.
Copy Sentences in Bold Boxes
Short sentences like "The dog is big." to copy one letter per box, with shaded boxes in a strong blue, the easiest to see.
Copy Sentences in Light Boxes
Short sentences like "The dog is big." to copy one letter per box, with pale shaded boxes, for kids who need less help.
Copy Sentences in Bold Outlines
Short sentences like "The dog is big." to copy one letter per box, with boxes drawn with a dark outline.
Copy Sentences in Light Outlines
Short sentences like "The dog is big." to copy one letter per box, with faint outlines, the last step before plain lines.
Fading Letter Boxes
Each word is written three times as the boxes fade away, ending on a plain line.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
Letter boxes, sometimes called shape boxes, give every letter its own box shaped like the letter. Small letters get a short box, tall letters 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.
What comes next
First grade writing.
How to teach it
- Start with the chart. Sort a few letters into small, tall and tail together.
- Point to the box before writing each letter and say which kind it is.
- Begin with bold boxes, then move to light boxes and outlines as letters get steady.
- Use the fading boxes sheet to check that letters stay the same size without the boxes.
Common mistakes
- Making tall letters short. Remind your child that tall letters 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. One letter goes in each box.