Bossy R Chart
When r comes after a vowel, it bosses the vowel into a new sound.
Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).
How to do it
- Read ar and or and their words.
- Read er, ir and ur and listen. They sound the same.
- Keep the chart out while you practice.
Teaching tip
Have your child growl like a pirate on the ar words. It makes the sound stick. This sheet is aligned with Common Core RF.2.3b.
About this chart
ar, or, er, ir and ur with pictures and words, plus a spelling tip.
What kids practice
When the letter r comes right after a vowel, it changes the vowel's sound. Kids often call it "bossy r." ar says /ar/ as in car, or says /or/ as in fork, and er, ir and ur all say /er/ as in her, bird and turtle. R-controlled vowels are a key second grade phonics pattern.
Watch for
- Reading the vowel short, like ca-r for car.
- Spelling bird as berd or burd. All three sound right, so it takes practice to remember.
- Mixing up or and ar when reading fast, like farm and form.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full r-controlled vowels phonics guide for 2nd grade.
More sheets in this set
2. Fill In the Bossy RPicture words with ar, or, er, ir or ur missing. A hint shows which ones to choose from.
3. er, ir or ur?Pictures with three spellings that all sound the same. Only one is right.
4. Bossy R SortWords to sort into ar, or and er/ir/ur.
5. Bossy R SentencesSentences with a missing word. Pick between two bossy r words that look alike, like farm and form.
6. Color by Bossy RA hidden picture made of r-controlled words like car, fork, fern, bird and turn. Includes an answer key.