Grade 3 - Spelling

Grade 3 R-Controlled Vowels Worksheet

6 printable versions - Building Confidence - About 7 minutes each

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R-Controlled Vowels

Grade 3 - Spelling - Building Confidence

Worksheet 1

  1. Which r-controlled pattern completes the multisyllable word meaning "a portable light with a handle"?

    Letter boxes show an r-controlled word with the pattern hidden.A row of 7 boxes for the letters of a word. 2 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.lantn

  2. Choose the complete r-controlled Grade 3 word for "a person who creates drawings or paintings".

    A row of 6 empty letter boxes.A row of 6 boxes for the letters of a word. 6 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.

  3. In "artist", which vowel-r spelling controls the vowel sound?

    Letter boxes hide only the r-controlled pattern.A row of 6 boxes for the letters of a word. 2 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.tist

  4. Which multisyllable word shares the same vowel-r pattern as "harvest"?

  5. Why should a reader keep the ar together in "harvest"?

  6. Which r-controlled pattern completes the multisyllable word meaning "the place where two edges meet"?

    Letter boxes show an r-controlled word with the pattern hidden.A row of 6 boxes for the letters of a word. 2 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.cner

  7. Choose the complete r-controlled Grade 3 word for "the time when crops are gathered".

    A row of 7 empty letter boxes.A row of 7 boxes for the letters of a word. 7 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.

  8. In "orbit", which vowel-r spelling controls the vowel sound?

    Letter boxes hide only the r-controlled pattern.A row of 5 boxes for the letters of a word. 2 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.bit

  9. Which multisyllable word shares the same vowel-r pattern as "corner"?

  10. Why should a reader keep the ar together in "artist"?

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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 may hear the er sound in bird, fern, and turn but not know whether to spell it ir, er, or ur. This worksheet keeps r-controlled spelling as its own topic rather than mixing it with general vowel questions. Students identify the r-controlled part, complete missing patterns, spell words from clues, and choose a word that shares the same pattern. Support items offer pattern choices. Standard and challenge items require more independent recall. Encourage your child to circle the vowel plus r together and treat that pair as one spelling unit before reading or writing the whole word.

What your child will learn

  • Recognize ar, er, ir, or, and ur patterns
  • Spell words whose vowel sound is changed by r
  • Match r-controlled spellings to meaning clues
  • Compare words that share the same pattern

Worked example

In bird, the letters ir work with r to make the vowel sound.

Common mistake

Trying to spell an r-controlled sound with a plain short vowel.

Helpful hint

Find the vowel and r together.

Diphthongs and Vowel TeamsSyllable Types

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with r-controlled vowels?
Trying to spell an r-controlled sound with a plain short vowel.
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.

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