2nd grade
Bossy R: or
The or sound: trace corn, fork and horse, color the or words, choose or or ar to finish six words and read a sentence.
Phonics worksheet · Bossy R and diphthongs
Bossy R: ar
The ar sound: trace car, star and shark, color the ar words, choose ar or or to finish six words and read a sentence.
- Grade level
- 2nd grade
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- R-controlled vowels, Diphthongs, Spelling one sound many ways
What kids do
“The r is bossy: it changes the sound of the a! Read, trace, find and fill in ar words.”
Printed on the sheet:
- 2. Read and trace
- 3. Color every word with ar
- 4. Write ar or or to finish each word
- 5. Read the sentence. Trace the ar words.
- A shark swam in the dark.
- 6. Draw a star over a farm
Words on this sheet
arcarfarmstarjarpark sharkamduckcartcarddarkyardbarnarmyakbancatcodshstden
Teacher tip
Say ar like a pirate. Kids love it.
How to use it
- Sort word cards by sound before writing.
- Point out that one sound can have several spellings, so kids need to remember which one.
- Say every word on the sheet together before kids start, stretching the sounds.
Watch for
er, ir and ur sound the same, so spelling them is about memory. Group words by spelling.
Talk about it
- What sound does the vowel make when r comes after it?
- What sound does this letter or letter team make?
Take it further
Make a bossy R anchor chart with words from class books.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More bossy r and diphthongs worksheets
2nd grade
Bossy R: er, ir, ur
One sound, three spellings: trace her, bird and fur, color the er, ir and ur words, pick the right spelling for six words and read a sentence.
2nd grade
Bossy R Sentences
Eight sentences with ar, or, ir and ur words to finish: car, fork, bird, nurse, star, horse, shirt and dirt.
2nd grade
oi and oy
The /oy/ sound: trace coin, oil and boy, color the oi and oy words, fill in the right spelling and read a sentence.
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