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Classroom · Phonics · R-controlled vowels · 1st and 2nd grade
er, ir and ur words worksheets
A free seven-page pack for the r-controlled vowels er, ir, ur: 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
53 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 E R, I R, and U R words, step by step.
- 0:05 Say each word, and listen for the sound. Bird, shirt, turtle.
- 0:10 Say the picture name, and circle the sound you hear. Bird. You hear I R.
- 0:16 Draw a line from each picture to its word. The bird goes with the word bird.
- 0:22 Write the missing letters in the box, then write the whole word. Bird.
- 0:27 Read each word, and write it in the box where it belongs. Bird goes under I R.
- 0:33 Read each word aloud, then trace it.
- 0:39 Read each sentence, and circle the words with E R, I R or U R. The bird is on the fern.
- 0:46 Great job! Now print the free worksheet, and finish the rest on your own.
The picture words
- bird
- shirt
- turtle
- purse
- burger
- tiger
- ladder
- hammer
How to say it
How to say itEr, ir and ur all make the same sound, as in her, bird and turtle. Children say the sound, then learn which spelling each word uses by reading it often.
Watch for
Watch forChoosing the wrong spelling when writing, as in "berd" for bird. That is normal at this stage: praise the right sound, then show the right spelling.
More words to read
er
herferntermherd
ir
birdgirlfirstdirt
ur
furturnhurtburn
Read the sentences
- The bird is on the fern.
- Her shirt is red.
- The turtle can turn.
What the worksheets look like
Common questions
What are er, ir and ur words?
Words where the r changes the vowel sound in front of it (the er sound), such as bird, shirt, turtle, purse. Teachers often call it bossy r.
How do I teach er, ir and ur words?
Er, ir and ur all make the same sound, as in her, bird and turtle. Children say the sound, then learn which spelling each word uses by reading it often.
What mistake should I watch for?
Choosing the wrong spelling when writing, as in "berd" for bird. That is normal at this stage: praise the right sound, then show the right spelling.
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
Mix ar, or, er, ir and urBossy r detective, sort by vowel sound, an answer key and a Bossy R Champion certificate.
