Phonics Practice · Step 10 of 12
Vowels with r
ar, or, er, ir and ur: an r after a vowel changes the vowel's sound.
Made by Teddy Rook Book to practice alongside Hannah Ward's lessons. It is not part of her curriculum. About this practice
For grown-ups
What this step teaches
When r comes right after a vowel, it changes the vowel's sound: ar (car), or (corn), and er, ir and ur, which all say the same sound (her, bird, turtle). These are called r-controlled vowels. Each pair shares one sound box.
As you practice: er, ir and ur sound the same. When your child spells, they'll need to learn which one a word uses; when reading, any of them says “er.”
Away from the screen
- Say pairs and listen for the change: cat and cart, fin and firm, hut and hurt.
- Make a “bossy r” card and lay it after a vowel card. Read the vowel, then read it with the r.
- Hunt for ar, or and er words in a favorite picture book.
With Hannah's lessons
Goes with the r-controlled vowels in the later lessons of Hannah's 120-lesson program and her Phonics Reading Boot Camp.
📖 Read in 120 Lessons🎯 Phonics Boot Camp
Hannah's lessons may bring in sounds in a different order. Follow her order, and use the step here that matches what she has taught.
The new sounds, and how to say them
- ar as in carar says the sound in car and star.
- or as in cornor says the sound in corn and fork.
- er as in herer says the sound in her. Hold it: “errr.”
- ir as in birdir says the same sound as er, as in bird.
- ur as in turtleur says the same sound as er, as in turtle.
Heart words for this step
Heart words are common words with a part that doesn't follow the rules your child knows yet. Sound out the regular parts, and learn the ♥ part by heart.
fouryourverymanyany