Lesson 77
ar /ar/
The grapheme AR spells /ar/
This is students' first introduction to r-controlled vowels. Recall final V is always spelled VE and final S is often spelled SE. This pattern will occur in words with r-controlled vowels (e.g., carve, horse). ARE spells /air/ (e.g., care). This concept is addressed in Lesson 112.
Today's plan
about 15 min- Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
- Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
- Step 4Blending drill3 min
- Step 5New concept + read/spell6 min
Warm Up Our Ears
Say the sounds; students blend them into a word. Then say a word; students break it apart.
Blend it (teacher says sounds → you say word)
Break it (I say word → you say sounds)
Flashcard Drills
Full-screen cards for the class. Tap a card to check the answer, or press Hear the words to hear the example words read aloud.
Blending Drill
Change one part at a time and read the new word.
Initial
f n r w
Middle
a i
Final
g t dge tch
+
New Concept
Today we learn our first r-controlled vowel: AR spells /ar/ like in car.
Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.
Remember when we learned the /r/ sound. It was a tricky sound. When we put the /r/ sound after a vowel, it completely changes the way the vowel sounds. It makes what we call an 'r-controlled' vowel. The r-controlled vowel AR usually represents the /ar/ sound. AR can come in the middle of a word, such as the words and . AR can sometimes come at the end of a word, such as the words and . AR can sometimes come at the beginning of a word, such as the words and .
R-controlled vowels
When R follows a vowel, it changes the vowel's sound completely. This is called an r-controlled vowel.
How our mouth moves
The /ar/ sound is an r-controlled vowel. For the /ar/ sound, we start with our jaw dropped and our mouth open almost making the /ŏ/ sound, as in . Then, we raise the sides of the tongue and partially close our mouth to make the /r/ part of the sound. Your voice is on. Listen: /ar/. The /ar/ sound is a continuous sound that can be stretched out. Watch me /ar/.