---
title: "R-Controlled Vowel Sounds"
description: "Read and spell words containing r-controlled vowels (ar, er, ir, ur, or, ore) and vowel-r patterns where 'r' modifies the vowel sound"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/r-controlled-vowel-sounds-mt_a6m7PqTuJN
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/r-controlled-vowel-sounds-mt_a6m7PqTuJN.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# R-Controlled Vowel Sounds

Read and spell words containing r-controlled vowels (ar, er, ir, ur, or, ore) and vowel-r patterns where 'r' modifies the vowel sound

Subject: English · Area: Phonics & Word Reading · Ages 5 to 6
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/r-controlled-vowel-sounds-mt_a6m7PqTuJN

## Ready when they can

- Read words with r-controlled vowels (e.g. 'car', 'bird', 'fork', 'her')
- Recognise that 'r' changes the vowel sound (e.g. 'cat' vs 'cart')
- Spell words with common r-controlled patterns

## Lesson: The Bossy R Sound

Sometimes the letter r sits right after a vowel. When it does, the vowel sound changes. It stops making its normal sound. The r takes over. We call this a bossy r.

*(drawing: Say car out loud. Hear how the r changes the a?)*

**Example.** Look at cat and cart. In cat, you hear a short a. In cart, the r changes the a sound completely. Cart does not rhyme with cat.

R-controlled vowels have special spelling patterns. Look for ar, er, ir, ur, or, and ore. Er, ir, and ur often sound the same. Think her, bird, and nurse.

A bossy r spelling keeps its sound in new words. The or in born sounds just like the or in storm. Some words spell that same sound with ore, like more and shore.

**Recap.** When r comes right after a vowel, it changes that vowel's sound.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Blending Sounds to Read Words](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/blending-sounds-to-read-words-mt__KHQttMde3)
- [Single Letter Sounds](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/single-letter-sounds-mt_F978c32kDr)

## Opens up

- [Alternative Spellings for Known Sounds](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/alternative-spellings-for-known-sounds-mt_OgJPbGkrYk)