Grade 3 · Spelling · Phonics

3rd Grade R-Controlled Vowels worksheets

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R-Controlled Vowels

Grade 3 Spelling Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

Circle the answer, or write the answer on the line.

1.
Which letters fill the empty boxes? The word means "a home with rooms inside a bigger building".
- or
- ur
- er
- ar
Spell the word that means "worried about something that will happen".
3.
Which two letters make the vowel-and-r sound in "uniform"?
- ni
- or
- rm
- un
4.
Which word has the same vowel-and-r sound as "thirsty"?
- surface
- forest
- market
- morning
5.
Which word does NOT have a vowel followed by r?
- service
- garbage
- zebra
- popcorn
6.
Which letters fill the empty boxes? The word means "a fair with rides, games, and music".
- ar
- ir
- er
- ur
Spell the word that means "to tell people about something so they will buy it".
8.
Which two letters make the vowel-and-r sound in "important"?
- im
- or
- po
- an
9.
Which word has the same vowel-and-r sound as "confirm"?
- normal
- popcorn
- turtle
- sharpen
10.
Which word does NOT have a vowel followed by r?
- normal
- hurry
- cricket
- dirty

3rd Grade R-Controlled Vowels worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

R-controlled vowels are sometimes called bossy r patterns because the r changes the vowel sound. The vowel no longer sounds short or long in the usual way. Third graders hear the same sound in perfect, thirsty, and turtle but must remember whether to spell it er, ir, or ur, while ar and or each have a sound of their own. This worksheet uses two- and three-syllable words that each have one vowel-r pattern. Students fill in the missing pattern from a meaning clue, spell whole words, find the vowel-r letters, match words by sound even when the spelling differs, and spot a word with no vowel-r at all.

Support items use shorter words and three choices. Challenge items use longer words such as apartment and orchestra. Encourage your child to circle the vowel plus r together and treat that pair as one spelling unit.

What your child will learn

Recognize ar, er, ir, or, and ur patterns
Spell words whose vowel sound is changed by r
Hear that er, ir, and ur make the same sound
Tell a vowel-r pattern from an r after a consonant

Common Core standard: L.3.2.F

Worked example

Thirsty and turtle share one vowel-r sound, spelled ir in thirsty and ur in turtle. Garden has the different ar sound.

Common mistake

Spelling the er sound with the wrong letters, such as thursty for thirsty.

Helpful hint

Find the vowel and r together.

Next skill: Syllable Types Earlier: Diphthongs and Vowel Teams

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with r-controlled vowels?

Spelling the er sound with the wrong letters, such as thursty for thirsty.

How can I help my child with r-controlled vowels?

Find the vowel and r together.

Are these 3rd grade spelling worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 3rd grade phonics

See all phonics

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