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PSPKK12314 Comments

R-controlled vowel games

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Looking for games to teach words with bossy r?  We’ve got five of them!

These 5 FREE bossy r games are great for teaching kids to read those tricky r-controlled vowel words.

(This post contains affiliate links.)

Those bossy r words are tricky.  Sometimes we call them words with “r controlled vowels.”  Because when you stick an “r” after the vowel, it changes the sound.

Hen… her.

Sit…sir.

Hug…hurt.

Fox...for.

Bat…barn.

These 5 FREE bossy r games are great for teaching kids to read those tricky r-controlled vowel words.

Here’s my newest game!

How to play

1. Give each player ten counters.  We used these transparent counting chips.

2. Take turns rolling the die and moving forward.

3. If you land on a word, read it.  Is it a bossy r word?  If it is, give up one of your counters.

4. If it’s a picture, name it.  Is it a bossy r word? If it is, give up one of your counters.

5. If you land on a number, add that number of counters to your pile.

6. After all players have reached Finish, add up your counters. Whoever has the most, wins!

These 5 FREE bossy r games are great for teaching kids to read those tricky r-controlled vowel words.

I’ll tell you right up front that this game did not go over as well as my Is it Real? game for bossy r words.  This is because my Four (who just turned five today) didn’t like losing counters.  He was frustrated by how often he had to give them up.

Because of that, I made a change to the game so that it looks slightly different than what you see in the pictures. All the numbers have been changed to positive ones.  So instead of a -3, for example, it’s a +3.  I’m going to print these again and see if that gives him a better attitude. 🙂

These 5 FREE bossy r games are great for teaching kids to read those tricky r-controlled vowel words.

Since most kids playing this game will be in kindergarten or first grade, they’ll hopefully be better sports than my son was. 😉

Why I think this is a great game

1. You get five different versions. (ar, er, ir, or, ur)

2. It gives a lot of practice reading both r-influenced vowel words and short vowel words.  This is important because it makes kids really look closely at the words instead of assuming they’ll all be pronounced the same.

3. It helps kids notice spelling patterns. My son made his own observation about a word without my prompting: “It’s a bossy r word because the r comes after.  If it was r-i, then it wouldn’t be a bossy r word.”

4. The pictures help kids listen to sounds in words.  It’s important to be able to hear the bossy r sound in addition to recognizing it in a printed word.

5. The games are quick. You know I’m all about quick, fun practice!  We were able to play a single game in less than ten minutes.

When my oldest son (a fluent reader at the end of kindergarten) saw the game, he observed, “That looks like fun.  Is it?”  His younger brother said it was, so he must have forgotten his earlier frustration. 🙂 I hope your beginning reader enjoys it!

(I like color, but if you don’t want to use color ink, these work just fine printed in grayscale.)

More free bossy r activities!

  • “It’s Not Real” game
  • Go Fish

Get your free games!

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Editable Reading Games for Every Season – MEGA PACK!

$24.00

Your students will ASK to practice their reading when you start using this versatile set of word games! Simply type up to 12 words, and they’ll autofill into the 150 seasonal games.

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Filed Under: Reading, R-controlled vowels Tagged With: first grade, second grade, kindergarten, r-controlled vowels

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Reader Interactions

14 Comments

  1. Lisa

    March 4, 2020 at 9:26 am

    Love the game! Question, though. If 2 students are playing and each have 10 and they lose a couple and put it in a draw pile, what happens when the student lands on 6+ and there are not enough counters in the draw pile? do they take one from their partner?

    Thanks!

    Reply to this comment
    • Kate Dowling

      March 4, 2020 at 9:39 pm

      Hi Lisa!

      This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. I didn’t create the game, but I’m guessing you need not only 10 counters each, but also a draw pile. Try playing that way and see if it works. If you still have trouble, write back and I’ll be sure Anna handles your question! Thanks!

      Reply to this comment
  2. danna

    January 14, 2020 at 7:45 pm

    I do not know why you make your amazing games free of charge, but I truly appreciate it. They are high quality and so engaging for my students. Thank you so much!

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      January 15, 2020 at 6:13 am

      You’re welcome, Danna! :))

      Reply to this comment
  3. Rose

    August 2, 2018 at 2:51 pm

    Hi

    Love the activities but just to let you know, on the “er” page, there seem to be some extra M’s in the “perm” box.

    Reply to this comment
  4. Arlene G. Woo

    April 24, 2018 at 2:14 am

    I love your Roll a word games! Thank you for the resources.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna G

      April 28, 2018 at 5:09 pm

      You’re welcome, Arlene!

      Reply to this comment
  5. Cheryl

    February 16, 2017 at 6:33 am

    Wonderful activities! Love all the ones I have printed and used with students!!!!! Cheryl

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      February 18, 2017 at 6:26 am

      You’re very welcome, Cheryl!

      Reply to this comment
  6. Inga

    February 28, 2016 at 9:47 am

    Thank you a lot for your help! You are wonderful! I wish you the best.

    Reply to this comment
    • Anna Geiger

      March 1, 2016 at 9:37 pm

      You’re very welcome, Inga!

      Reply to this comment

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  2. The ULTIMATE List of FREE Phonics Activities - This Reading Mama says:
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