R-Controlled Vowels

Learn the R-Controlled Vowels
R-controlled vowels, also known as “bossy r” or “r-colored vowels,” are a key concept in English phonics. They occur when a vowel is followed by the letter “r,” and the “r” changes the way the vowel is pronounced. The “r” takes control of the vowel sound.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common r-controlled vowel sounds:

1. “ar”
   This sound is similar to the “a” in “car."
   Examples: car, star, far, arm, dark, hard, farm, smart, start
   
2. “or”
   This sound is similar to the “aw” in “law” or the “o” in “for."
   Examples: for, or, more, born, corn, form, north, short, sport, store, storm
   
3. “er,” “ir,” and “ur”
   These three spellings usually represent the same sound.
   Examples:
   er: her, term, person, under, number
   ir: bird, girl, first, shirt, stir
   ur: fur, burn, turn, hurt, purple
   

The following diagram shows r-controlled vowel words. Practice saying these words. Scroll down the page for more examples.

 

Key Characteristics of R-Controlled Vowels:
The “r” changes the vowel sound: The vowel does not make its typical short or long sound. Instead, the “r” creates a new, blended sound. Each r-controlled vowel represents a single sound, not two separate sounds.

Look Out for Bossy R
Fun Phonics Song for Kids

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The Rules of Bossy “R”

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R Controlled Vowels Practice

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R-Controlled Vowels & Digraphs
AR Sound	Er,Ir,Ur	OR Sound
Ar,Er,Ir,Or,Ur	Ou, Ow	Oi, Oy
OO Sound

Learn the sound of the letters

Learning Short Vowels

Short Vowels
Short A	Short E	Short I
Short O	Short U	Short Vowels

Learning Long Vowels

Long Vowels
Long A	Long E	Long I
Long O	Long U	Y (vowel)
Long Vowels	Short & Long Vowels

Compare Short & Long Vowels

Short & Long Vowels
Short & Long A	Short & Long E	Short & Long I
Short & Long O	Short & Long U

Learning Consonants

Consonants
Letter B	Hard C	Soft C
Letter D	Letter F	Hard G
Soft G	Letter H	Letter J
Letter K	Letter L	Letter M
Letter N	Letter P	Letter Q
Letter R	Letter S	Letter T
Letter V	Letter W	Letter X
Letter Y	Letter Z

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