R-Controlled Vowels Worksheets: 4 Free Printables! (2024)

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What are r-Controlled Vowels?

When a vowel is followed by the letter r, the r takes control of the vowel. The vowel will no longer say its long or short sound, but it joins together with the r and a new sound is created.

This is why it is sometimes called the “Bossy R.” The Vowel + r will come together to make ONE new sound!

Sounds of The Bossy R

• a + r says /ar/
• e + r says /ər/*
• i + r says /ər/*
• o + r says /or/
• u + r says /ər/*

*er, ir, and ur all make the same sound.

Teaching r-Controlled Vowels

Explicitly teach the r-Controlled vowels one at a time. I like to start by teaching AR by itself, and OR by itself.

Next, teach ER, IR, and UR together, because they have the same /ər/ sound, then develop the patterns one at a time on separate days.

Provide children with lots of opportunities to practice reading words with these patterns and sounds. Allow them to practice spelling words with these sounds as well, using word and sentence dictation.

👉 Helpful Tip: Use a keyword as an anchor for each bossy r pattern!

Here are the little chants I say with my students, using the free printable r-Controlled anchor chart. I flash my phonogram cards and kids say the sound, followed by the keyword in this jingle:

AR: “/ar/ like the /ar/ of car.”
OR: “/or/ like the /or/ of corn.”
IR: “/ir/ like the /ər/ of bird.”
ER: “/er/ like the /ər/ of her.”
UR: “/ur/ like the /ər/ of nurse.”

👉 Note: ER, IR, and UR are tricky! They all make the same sound, and there are no clear-cut spelling rules for which one to use.

Children must rely on visual memory and ask themselves, “Which one looks right?” This requires practice! Have students play our R-Controlled Bingo Game for more reinforcement.

Remember, the goal isn’t just to read the words on these worksheets, but to quickly identify and read words with controlled vowels within text.

Tips & Tricks

• These pdf worksheets are designed for studentsGrades 1-3to practice identifying and reading words with r-Controlled vowels.
• Use decodable texts to support this important phonics skill.
• Use these worksheets to challenge your students and deepen with spelling practice. For extra practice, flip over the worksheets and challenge kids to spell words that include these patterns!

• 150+ R Controlled Vowel Words
• Silent E Worksheets
• 100 First High Frequency Words

Download & Print

We’d love to hear about your experience using these worksheets!
Please leave a comment below or tag us on Instagram@literacylearn.

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