DO NOT give the learners words with ‘ar’ in the second syllable at this stage. Have the learners read two-syllable words with ‘ar’ in the first syllable only. Repeat the process until the learners understand this concept.Īn R Controlled Syllable is one of 6 types of syllables. Have them read ‘had’ then replace the ‘a’ with ‘ar’ and read ‘hard’. Have the learners read ‘cat’ then replace the ‘a’ with ‘ar’ and read ‘cart’ (There’s also a worksheet for this in our bundle!). Repeat the process with other CVC words, asking the learners to read the word with ‘ar.’ Have your learners read CVC words containing short ‘a’, for example: ‘can’, ‘cat’, ‘cab’, and ‘cap.’ Tell the learners that the consonant ‘r’ changes the vowel’s sound immediately before it and read the word ‘car’ for them. The word ‘heart’ is an irregular, tricky word.) Because /ar/ is the most commonly used R Controlled Vowel sound and has only one representation, we utilize this to introduce what happens when ‘r’ is in charge. In systematic phonics instruction, you move from simple to complex and most common representations to less common. I prefer to utilize the mnemonic ‘R in Charge.’ In some phonics programs, the letter ‘r’ is called ‘Bossy R’ to help learners understand the strong impact this consonant has on the preceding vowels.

R Controlled words make up about 10% of single-syllable words. What are the R Controlled Vowel Representations? The ‘r’ following the vowel distorts the typical vowel sound, creating a new vowel sound (sometimes referred to as a ‘growl vowel’).

But have you taught the R Controlled Vowels?Ī ‘R Controlled’ vowel is immediately followed by the letter ‘r’ and can no longer be pronounced as a long or short vowel.

You’ve taught your learners the long vowel sounds and their representations. You’ve taught your learners the short vowel sounds and their representations. The five most common r-controlled vowel combinations are ar, er, ir, or, and ur.Īmerican English pronunciation has four widely identified r-controlled-vowels: These are vowels that are trailed by an r that “controls” them.

What is an r controlled vowel