When we first teach kids about vowels, we usually focus on the long and short vowel sounds. However, vowels come with many rules and nuances, such as how the sounds they stand for can change when you throw the letter R into the mix, forming an r-controlled vowel sound.  

While you’ve definitely said and heard many words with r-controlled vowels, the phrase may be new to you. Here’s an explanation of these vowels and how you can help your child understand and recognize them.  

What Are R-Controlled Vowels? 

When a vowel is followed by the letter R in a word or syllable, it often changes the pronunciation of that vowel.

For example, consider the words ban and barn. The first word, ban, is a typical consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) word, with the vowel pronounced using its short a sound (/ǎ/). But when you add an R to the word, as in barn, the vowel sound becomes something different altogether–“b-ahr-n.” This is an example of the letter R “controlling” a vowel. Some people call this concept the “Bossy R” rule to help students remember that the R changes the way the vowel is pronounced. 

Tip: R-controlled sounds also appear in longer words, such as first, charm, and short.  

What Are the R-Controlled Vowels Rules? 

As with any phonics rule in English, there are always exceptions. However, these guidelines can be helpful for students as they work to understand r-controlled vowels.  

Note that three r-controlled vowel combinations (-er, -ir, and -ur) are all usually pronounced as /er/. This can simplify things for new learners, although there are still complications. For example, words like fir and fur are pronounced the same, yet spelled differently. It can take new readers a bit of practice to master tricky words like these. 

There are additional r-controlled vowel rules for when these letter combinations are paired with silent-e or vowel teams. Students usually learn these specific r-controlled vowel rules in conjunction with their related phonics concepts. 

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Examples of R-Controlled Vowel Words 

These are examples of r-controlled vowel words, sorted by vowel + R. 

Here are the same words, sorted by pronunciation. 

Why Is It Important to Teach R-Controlled Vowels?  

The English language includes hundreds of words with r-controlled vowels and understanding this concept can significantly impact how a child decodes and spells words. Because r-controlled vowels stand for unique sounds that aren’t a standard long or short vowel and are present in many common words, they’re an important part of developing strong reading and writing skills. 

The earlier students learn about this concept, the sooner they’ll be able to expand their personal bank of readable words. However, children typically don’t start learning about r-controlled vowels until first grade. 

How to Teach R-Controlled Vowel Words   

Students usually learn about r-controlled vowels as part of learning CVC words. In general, CVC words are pronounced using their short vowel sound, but CVC words ending in the letter R (like car, for, or sir) don’t fit the rule.   

As you begin teaching CVC words, leave out those ending in the letter R. Once your child seems comfortable with the general CVC spelling and pronunciation pattern, you can introduce CVC words ending in R and explain r-controlled vowels.    

Activities to Help Teach R-Controlled Vowels    

These hands-on activities are designed to add fun to learning r-controlled vowels. They also use a variety of approaches to provide children with multiple opportunities to grow their understanding of the concept.   

Add an R 

Use alphabet letter magnets or cards to spell out CVC words like cat, ton, or bun. Sound out the word letter by letter. Then, slide an R into each word after the vowel, turn it into an r-controlled vowel word like cart, torn, or burn. Sound the word out again to hear the difference.    

Word Sort  

Write a collection of r-controlled vowel words on note cards, then sort them according to the sound they make: /ar/, /er/, or /or/. Ensure your child says each word out loud as they work.    

Elkonin Boxes   

This simple tool helps young readers break words into their individual sounds. They write the letters or letter blends into each box, helping them break a word down using phonics. When using these boxes with r-controlled vowels, be sure to write the vowel and the letter R in the same box. For instance, the word shirt would be written /sh/ /ir/ /t/, with one sound in each box.    

Spin the Sound  

Make a simple spinner using a paper plate and paper clip. Divide and label the plate into three sections: /ar/, /er/, /or/, and use a pencil point to hold a paperclip in the middle. Spin the clip and see where the end lands. Then, come up with words that use that r-controlled vowel sound.    

Read and Highlight   

As your child reads a passage out loud, encourage them to stop and underline or highlight every r-controlled vowel word they come across. Resist the urge to point out those they miss until after they’ve read through the passage at least twice.    

R-Controlled Vowel Stories   

Choose a sound and take turns telling a story that uses the sound as much as possible. For instance, if you choose the sound /er/, you could start: “Sir Chirp was the third bird to curl up in Fern’s fur.” For more of a challenge, change the r-controlled vowel sound for each sentence!     

Printable Vowel Worksheets   

Get some hands-on practice with our free printable vowel worksheets, which include several options for practicing r-controlled words. Check out the first grade vowel worksheets and second grade vowel worksheets for more.    

Online Vowel Games    

Playing games online can add fun to practicing phonics skills like r-controlled vowels. Here are three of our favorites. Please note, these games may require an ABCmouse subscription to play.    

Samson’s Word Crates

Help Samson the strongman label his crates by choosing the correct vowel-R combination.

Hen House Hatcher

Crack the egg that matches the requested sound to hatch some adorable baby chicks.  

More Words with Mr. Wordsmith

Test Mr. Wordsmith’s new machine by matching the right /or/ word with each sentence. 

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Remember, every child’s learning journey is unique. They each progress at their own pace, and that’s perfectly okay.

What’s most important is fostering a love for reading and creating a supportive learning environment where they feel confident to tackle new challenges.

What’s most important is fostering a love for reading and creating a supportive learning environment where they feel confident to tackle new challenges.

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