Printable R-Controlled Vowels Worksheets
Printable r-controlled vowels worksheets for 1st through 3rd grade, with an answer key on every sheet. The sets below cover 2 different skills, so you can start where your child actually is. Available as fill in the blank and sorting activities.
Targeted Practice by Skill
About R-Controlled Vowels
What this skill is
R-controlled vowels occur when a vowel is followed by r, changing the vowel sound (ar in car, or in horn, and er/ir/ur in bird, fern, surf).
When children learn it
R-controlled vowels are taught in 1st through 3rd grade foundational reading.
Teaching Tips
- Emphasize the bossy r sound that changes the vowel sound.
- Group bossy r words by spelling pattern for dictation practice.
Common Mistakes
- Trying to pronounce standard short vowel sounds before the letter r.
- Confusing er, ir, and ur spellings that produce identical sounds.