Letter O Formation Worksheet
Trace the capital O and the small o with numbered start points and direction arrows, then write them on your own.
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How to write the letter O
The capital O is written in one stroke, and the small o in one stroke. 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 O
Start at the top and go around counter-clockwise: left, down, around the bottom and up the right side, until the circle closes where you started.
Small o
Draw the same circle as the capital O, but smaller, starting at the middle line and stopping at the base line.
Teaching tip for O
Teach the circle counter-clockwise from the start. The same movement starts a, c, d, g and q, and children who draw o clockwise often find these letters harder and slower to write later. Try to close the circle where it began, without a gap or an overlap.
The sound of O and words to practice
The letter O usually stands for the short sound /o/ as in octopus (and the long sound /oh/ as in open). Words to practice: octopus, orange, owl, otter, ostrich, olive. 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 O is easy to mix up with Letter Cc and Letter Aa. 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
Previous: Letter Nn · Next: Letter Pp · All letters A to Z
Frequently asked questions
Which way should my child draw the circle in o?
Counter-clockwise, the opposite direction from the hands of a clock. Most print handwriting models teach this because it is the way that a, c, d, g, o and q all begin. A child who learns it for o has the right movement ready for five more letters.
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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Guides for parents and teachers: Letter Formation Order: Which Letters to Teach First · How to Teach a Child to Write Their Name · How to Teach Cursive Handwriting to Kids · Cursive Letters A to Z: A Simple Guide for Kids