Classroom · Phonics · R-controlled vowels · 1st and 2nd grade
ar words worksheets
A free seven-page pack for the r-controlled vowel ar: picture words, which sound do you hear, picture match, missing letters, a word sort, read and trace with short sentences, and an answer key.
Watch it solved
49 sec · with voice and captionsA pencil works one example of each activity, so you can see how the worksheet goes before you print it. Tap a step to jump to it. The rest of the sheet is left for your child to finish.
Read what the video says
- 0:00 Let's practice A R words, step by step.
- 0:03 Say each word, and listen for the sound. Car, star, jar.
- 0:09 Say the picture name, and circle the sound you hear. Car. You hear A R.
- 0:14 Draw a line from each picture to its word. The car goes with the word car.
- 0:20 Write the missing letters in the box, then write the whole word. Car.
- 0:25 Read each word, and write it in the box where it belongs. Bark goes under A R K.
- 0:31 Read each word aloud, then trace it.
- 0:36 Read each sentence, and circle the words with A R. A star is in the dark sky.
- 0:43 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.
The picture words
- car
- star
- jar
- shark
- yarn
- scarf
- cart
- arm
How to say it
When r comes after a, the a changes its sound. Ar sounds like the name of the letter r, as in car and star. Children can remember it as the pirate sound: arr!
Watch for
Reading the a as short, as in "cat" for cart. Point to the r: when a is followed by r, the two letters make one new sound together.
More words to read
-ar
carjarfarstar
-ark
parkdarkbarkshark
-art
cartpartdartstart
Read the sentences
- A star is in the dark sky.
- The car is in the park.
- I see a shark!
What the worksheets look like


Common questions
What are ar words?
Words where the r changes the vowel sound in front of it (the ar sound), such as car, star, jar, shark. Teachers often call it bossy r.
How do I teach ar words?
When r comes after a, the a changes its sound. Ar sounds like the name of the letter r, as in car and star. Children can remember it as the pirate sound: arr!
What mistake should I watch for?
Reading the a as short, as in "cat" for cart. Point to the r: when a is followed by r, the two letters make one new sound together.
Is there an answer key?
Yes. Page 7 has every answer, the circled words for each sentence, and a teaching tip.
Mix ar, or, er, ir and ur
Bossy r detective, sort by vowel sound, an answer key and a Bossy R Champion certificate.










