Learning to read and spell can be quite a challenge…especially when there are numerous ways to make the same sound. Today we are tackling r-controlled vowels with fun bossy r worksheets for kindergarten and first grade students to cut and paste! Using r controlled vowels activities is a simple, fun way for kids to learn about the r sound using no prep bossy r activities.

bossy r worksheets
Learning to read and spell can be quite a challenge, especially when it comes to mastering the many ways to produce the same sound. One particular area that often confuses young learners is r-controlled vowels. These vowels change their sound when paired with the letter “r,” creating unique sounds that aren’t always intuitive.
Today, we are diving into a fun and interactive way to help kindergarten and first grade students grasp this concept with our bossy r worksheets! These engaging cut and paste activities allow kids to explore r-controlled vowels in a hands-on manner. Not only do they get to be creative, but they also reinforce their understanding of sounds like “ar,” “er,” “ir,” “or,” and “ur.”
Research has shown that kinesthetic learning—where students physically engage in the learning process—can significantly enhance retention and understanding. By using no prep bossy r activities, educators can provide a simple yet effective way for children to practice these challenging vowel sounds without the stress of complicated preparations.
We have lots more free language arts worksheets, fun bossy r activities, and 1st grade worksheets to choose from! Plus don’t miss ar sound games, 5-in-a-Row words with ir games, and r controlled syllable words list.
r controlled vowels activities
Start by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >>_____<<. The bossy r worksheets pdf file will open in a new window for you to save your freebie.

r controlled vowels
R-controlled vowels are vowels that are followed by an r. And that bossy r then changes the vowel sound. It controls the vowel.
There are three main sounds you hear with r-controlled vowels.
The first is the “ar” sound. You hear that sound in words like car and shark.
The next one is the “or” sound. I like this one because it makes a word that many kids recognize, or. And, for once, it actually makes that sound in bigger words. You can find it in words like fork and sort.
And that brings us to the final sound. But if you notice we have three vowels left. Yep! Three vowels + an r all make the same sound.

bossy r activities
The “er” sound as I’ll call it, is made by three vowels next to an r.
The one that is used with the most frequency is the “e” and the “r”. You will also find it at the end of a comparative adjective, slower. It can also be found at the end of a noun to show a job, such as a painter. And if you have a two-syllable word, the “er” will be used.
That is the easy one. The other two, “ir” and “ur” really don’t have any rules.
You see the “ir” in words like shirt, skirt, dirt, and bird.
And the “ur” in words like curve, curl, church, and nurse.
But since there aren’t any rules, children need lots of exposers to the words that make the “er” sound. And that is what this worksheet is about.

bossy r lesson set
These worksheets get children reading words that make the “er” sound, and then finding the picture that represents them.
- First, have your child cut out the words…..great fine motor skills.
- Next, have them read the words. It may be helpful to point out how the “er” sound it made.
- Then find the picture that matches that word.
- Finally, glue the word on top of the picture.
That’s it. This simple activity gets your little ones reading “er” words, and beginning to notice when “er”, “ir” and “ur” are used.
1st Grade
If you have a 1st grader and you are looking for more fun, hands on 1st grade Worksheets, games and activities to make learning fun – you will love these resources!
- 100 Free 1st grade reading books pdf free , Chapter Books for 1st Graders, free Printable 1st Grade Book Report
- Kid favorite Cut and Paste Worksheets for a variety of subjects, Sight Words Printable List, First Grade Word Search, and alphabet order worksheets
- Phonics Dab the th worksheets, sh, ch, th word Digraph Games, Ending Blends Worksheets with do a dot markers
- 1st Grade Reading Games – Reading the Easy Way 1st Grade
- Fun Counting Coins Games, Over 500 pages of Kindergarten Writing Prompts Free
- Sentence Scramble Worksheets, Princess Color by Sight Word Worksheets
- Time Puzzles, Gumball Math Worksheets, and Crack the Code Worksheets for practicing math
- Bingo Shapes Game, Color the Coin Money Coloring Pages, Addition and Subtraction Math Mystery
- Long u words worksheets
- Number Bonds to 20 Worksheets, printable number bonds games, or Number Bonds Worksheets to 100
- Printable Addition Tic-Tac-Toe Game, before after between worksheet for class 1, Free Hundreds Tens and Ones Worksheets, and 3-digit Place Value Worksheets
- Free printable 1st grade math worksheets, Solar System Worksheets Pack
- Life-size Human Body Project with free printable template plus TONS of fun Human Body for Kids activities, experiments, and free printables too!
- EASY Lemon Battery Experiment, Mind-blowing Magnetic Slime, and Magnet experiments for Kids
- Balloon Solid, liquid, gas hands-on activities, oreo Phases of the Moon for Kids worksheets & activities
- Weather Unit with worksheets and projects, Learn planets in Solar System for Kids plus tons of Solar System Project Ideas, Learn about Animal Classifications for Kids with cootie catchers
- HUGE Ocean Animals for Kids Unit, Dive into plants for kids lessons
- Learn about LOTS of life cycles for kids (panda, spider, watermelon, bee, sunflower, spider, and more!)
- Free Scientific Method Worksheets, Printable USA Presidents Coloring Pages, Cute, Free Printable State Coloring Pages
- Free Printable States and Capitals Matching Game, Free Presidents Worksheets, US States I Spy Worksheets
- Help kids understand where do I live and learn about American symbols with these Patriotic American Symbols for Kids
- Learn about USA for Kids, American Symbols Worksheets, and explore American History for kids

bossy r worksheet
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