How to Teach R Controlled Vowels (2024)

Teaching sounds can be fun, especially when it comes to r-controlled vowels! These 3 sounds, spelled 5 different ways (ar, or, er, ir, ur) can be introduced and reviewed using several engaging strategies and resources. Read on for tips, tricks and jokes to make your r-controlled vowel lessons pop!

What are R Controlled Vowels?

R controlled vowels are exactly what they sound like…vowels controlled by the r! There are three r controlled vowel sounds: ar says arrrr like the pirate sound, or, and er/ir/ur says irrrrrr like someone slamming on the brakes! Let's take a look at some sample r controlled words:

• ar: cart, sharp, large, mark, farm
• er: herd, germ, clerk, tiger, feather
• ir: shirt, bird, circle, first, birthday
• or: short, corn, story, port, orbit
• ur: hurt, turtle, burn, purple, nurse

It can be helpful to create an r controlled vowel anchor chart to help students retain these sounds. A lot of teachers like to call these sounds “bossy r” sounds. The “bossy r” concept is that he is bossy and controls the sound but DOES still let the vowel go first.

So, now that we have figured out what the r controlled vowel sounds are, let's take a look at some engaging and educational activities to enhance your lesson!

R Controlled Vowel Activities

Want to add some engaging technology into your lesson? Check out these options!

1) Videos & Songs

Jack Hartmann-Look out for Bossy R

4 Minute Phonics R Controlled Practice

Pirates say AR!

2) Books

There are even books to teach the r controlled sounds! Note: These are Amazon Affiliate links.

The Bossy r: How the R Controlled Vowels Came to Be

by Lynell Hecht

A Day at the Berns Family Farm: A Book of Phonics

by Laura Hudgens

3) The Ultimate Resource

When you are ready for students to practice their r controlled vowels in small group or independently, Lucky Little Learners has you covered! Introducing our R-Controlled Vowels Pack:

• Phonics posters
• Lesson plans
• Word lists & sample sentences
• Decodable passages
• Hands-on activities
• Digital teaching slides
• Word & picture cards…and more!

How to Use These R-Controlled Vowels Resources in Your Classroom?

With so many resources, there are numerous ways to use this pack in your classroom. However, by following the daily lesson plans, these resources can fit seamlessly into your already busy day!

Whole Group Ideas

Use the word cards or words & sentences lists to introduce or review the sound.

Additionally, use the daily digital slides to further develop skills.

Small Group Ideas

Try using the decodable poems and passages to give students practice reading materials they can actually read! The poem includes five days of practice and makes a great beginning of group check in. Phonics ladders are a great way to quickly assess student skills!

Independent Center Ideas

When your students are ready to practice these sounds on their own, try one of the engaging centers!

Don't delay! Make teaching R-Controlled Vowels easy today!

How to Teach other 2nd Grade Phonics Concepts

Ready to teach another phonics skill? We've got a post for that!

Silent Letters

Short Vowels

Short Vowel Digraphs

Long Vowels

Vowel Teams

Diphthongs

Inflected Endings

Syllable Patterns/Multisyllabic Words

Contractions

Happy teaching!