L-blends and r-blends worksheets
Printable l-blend and r-blend practice for 3rd grade: picture charts for bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl, br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr and tr, picture cards, an l-or-r picking sheet, add-a-sound word pairs, write-the-blend and read-aloud sentences.
The worksheets
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L-Blend Picture Chart
All six l-blends (bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl) on one page, each with picture words and the blend shown in blue.
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R-Blend Picture Chart
All seven r-blends (br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr, tr) on one page, each with picture words and the blend shown in blue.
L- and R-Blend Picture Cards
Nine picture cards with the blend in blue and a blend tag on each card. Each version mixes in different words, so printing a few versions gives you a bigger deck.
L or R?
Ten pictures, each with two blends to pick from, like fl and fr. Half are l-blends and half are r-blends. Includes an answer key.
Add an L or R
Six picture pairs, like bush and brush or pug and plug, where adding l or r makes a brand new word. Includes an answer key.
Write the Missing Blend
Ten pictures with the end of each word printed. Kids write the blend in two big boxes. Includes an answer key.
Blend Sentences
Eight read-aloud sentences packed with l-blend and r-blend words in blue, each with a picture. A different mix each time you print.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
An l-blend is a consonant joined to l at the start of a word, like fl in flag. An r-blend is a consonant joined to r, like fr in frog. Both sounds are said, with no stop in between. L and r are both later sounds for many children, so blends with them can take extra practice. Kids who are still working on them often say w for the l or r (fwog for frog, pwane for plane), drop it (fog for frog), or add a little vowel between the sounds (fuh-rog). Common Core doesn't list blends in 3rd grade, so these sheets have no Common Core code.
What comes next
For more practice with r or l alone, use the R articulation set here or the L articulation set in 2nd grade. Three-sound blends like str (string), spr (spring) and spl (splash) come next.
How to teach it
- Start with the two picture charts. Say the first sound, then slide right into l or r with no stop.
- Practice the l-blends and r-blends on their own before mixing them on the L or R? sheet.
- Use the add-a-sound pairs. Saying bush and then brush shows your child that the r really changes the word.
- Go from words to sentences. When the blends are clear in words, read the sentences out loud.
- If your child is working with a speech-language pathologist, start with the blends they are practicing.
Common mistakes
- Saying w for l or r (fwog, pwane). Practice the l or r sound alone first, then add the first sound in front of it.
- Dropping the l or r (fag for flag). Say the word slowly and listen for both sounds.
- Adding a vowel (puh-lane). Keep the two sounds touching, like train cars with no gap.
- Mixing up l-blends and r-blends (frute for flute). The L or R? sheet gives practice telling them apart.
- If your child is hard to understand or not improving, ask a speech-language pathologist for a check.