Sentence Tracing Worksheets
Updated November 2026 · 5 free printables
Free printable sentence tracing worksheets for first and second grade: short first grade sentences (I can hop like a frog.), longer second grade sentences, kind sentences, the quick brown fox pangram that uses every letter, and an original rhyming poem, My Pencil Boat, to copy line by line.
Each sentence is printed in dashed letters with wide finger spaces between the words, followed by an empty handwriting line with a green start dot. Children trace first, then copy the sentence on their own, which practices capital letters, spacing and end marks all at once.
At a glance
- Pages
- 5 free printables, one PDF each
- Ages
- 6 to 8
- Levels
- Grade 1, Grade 2
- Paper
- US Letter and A4
- Price
- free, no sign-up needed to download
All 5 Sentence Tracing Worksheets, One by One
Here is a closer look at every page in this collection, with who it's best for and a coloring idea for each one.
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1. Simple Sentences Handwriting Practice
Four short sentences for beginning writers to trace and copy: I can hop like a frog. The sun is hot. We play in the park. My cat has a red hat. Each one is followed by an empty handwriting line. First graders can do it on their own once they know the strategy at the top of the page.
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2. Sentence Writing Practice for Second Grade
Five longer sentences to trace and copy on smaller lines, such as "A fox ran into the woods." and "My friend and I built a fort." Builds steady letter size and finger spaces for second graders. Second graders usually finish it in 10 to 15 minutes.
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3. Poem Copywork Handwriting Practice: My Pencil Boat
A short rhyming poem, "My Pencil Boat", to read, trace and copy line by line: a pencil that sails across the page as it zigs and zags. Four lines of copywork with commas, a period and an exclamation mark. It fits second grade, around ages 7 to 8.
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4. Kind Sentences Handwriting Practice
Four short, kind sentences (I am kind. We can share. Thank you! You are my friend.) to trace, each followed by an empty handwriting line to copy it. Practices capitals, spaces between words and end marks. First graders can do it on their own once they know the strategy at the top of the page.
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5. Pangram Handwriting Practice: The Quick Brown Fox
Trace the classic pangram "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." in three parts, each followed by an empty line to copy it. The sentence contains every letter of the alphabet, so it is a full handwriting check-up. First graders can do it on their own once they know the strategy at the top of the page.
Tips for coloring Sentence Tracing Worksheets
- Read the sentence together before tracing, so your child knows what the words mean.
- Check three things on each copied line: a capital at the start, finger spaces, and the end mark.
- Second graders can copy on smaller lines; slip a sheet of plain handwriting paper under the page for extra rows.
Fun facts about Sentence Tracing Worksheets
- A pangram is a sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet at least once.
- For hundreds of years children learned to write by copying sentences and poems into copybooks.
- The exclamation mark shows strong feeling; the period ends a calm telling sentence.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Let your child illustrate the poem My Pencil Boat on the back of the page.
- Swap one word in a traced sentence (frog for bunny) and write a new sentence together.
- Copy one sentence a day into a small notebook and read the whole collection back at the end of the week.
How to print
Click Download PDF on any page and print it at 100% on US Letter or A4 paper. Use regular printer paper for crayons and pencils, or cardstock for markers and paint. Every page here is free for home, classroom and party use, so feel free to print as many copies as you need.
Frequently asked questions
What is copywork?
Copywork means copying a good sentence or a short poem by hand. It trains letter shapes, spacing, capitals and punctuation at the same time, without the child having to think up what to write.
How long should the sentences be?
First graders do well with four to six short words per line. Second graders can copy longer sentences on smaller lines, like the five on the Sentence Writing Practice page.
My child forgets the spaces between words. What helps?
Ask your child to lay a finger on the line after each word before starting the next one. The traced sentences show the same wide finger space to copy.