Fill In the Bossy R
Say the picture's name. Write the vowel and r in the blue box.
Fresh sheet anytime. Tap New sheet or reload for a different one. Tap + for up to 10.
This is sheet #47124601.
How to do it
- Say the picture's name.
- Read the hint under the word.
- Write the vowel and r in the box.
Teaching tip
For er, ir and ur, it's fine to check the chart. Those take time to remember. This sheet is aligned with Common Core RF.2.3b.

About this worksheet
Picture words with ar, or, er, ir or ur missing. A hint shows which ones to choose from.
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, with Fewer, Standard or More on the page and an answer key. See the full r-controlled vowels phonics guide for 2nd grade.
More sheets in this set
- See it all
1. Bossy R Chartar, or, er, ir and ur with pictures and words, plus a spelling tip.
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.