Phonics · lesson 21 of 24 · free

R-controlled vowels — Phonics for kids

When r comes after a vowel, it changes the vowel’s sound. ar says the sound in “car”, or the sound in “fork”, and er, ir and ur all make the same sound — tiger, bird, turtle.

▶ Watch how it works

Got it? Practise ↓

How the sounds work

The r changes the vowel — “a vowel followed by r makes a new sound: ar, or, er, ir, ur”

  1. Spot the vowel + r: ar, or, er, ir or ur.
  2. Read it as one sound: c-ar, f-or-k.
  3. er, ir and ur sound the same, so learn which spelling each word uses: bird, turtle, tiger.

Use it for: Reading and spelling words like star, corn, girl and burger.

Worked example: 🚗 c_ _ — which two letters are missing? → ar

  1. Look at the picture: 🚗 is “car”. Say it slowly.
  2. The “r” changes the vowel sound: c[ar].

Check: c + ar = car ✓

▶ Watch it animated

✏️ Practice

Listen (🔊), look at the pictures, then tap the answer. Grown-ups: read the question together.

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🏁 Lesson 21 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🦈 R-Sound Racer badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 9 lessons of Part 3 · Digraphs and long vowels. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ R-Controlled Vowels Phonics Worksheets

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