← All lessons

Lesson 78

or, ore /or/

The graphemes OR and ORE spell /or/

Other than the common words 'or' and 'for', the OR spelling of /or/ is rarely found at the end of words. OR can come in the middle of a word, such as the words fork and corn. OR can sometimes come at the beginning of a word, such as the word orb. OR can also come at the end of a word, such as the word for. However, when we hear /or/ at the end of a word it is usually spelled with an E, such as the words more and store. OR as /er/ after W (e.g., world) is introduced in Lesson 82. OR as a suffix (e.g., actor) is introduced in Lesson 111.

Today's plan

about 15 min
  1. Step 1Warm up our ears (blend & segment)2 min
  2. Steps 2 & 3Look & Say / Listen & Spell4 min
  3. Step 4Blending drill3 min
  4. Step 5New concept + read/spell6 min
Step 1

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)

/f/ · /or/ · /m/form
/b/ · /or/ · /n/born

Break it (I say word → you say sounds)

Steps 2 & 3

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.

Step 4

Blending Drill

Change one part at a time and read the new word.

Initial

b h m

Middle

i o

Final

bl ld nd s y

+

Step 5

New Concept

Today we learn another r-controlled vowel: OR and ORE spell /or/ like in fork and store.

Highlighted words are the ones to show and practice reading — tap one to hear it.

We are learning that R can change how a vowel sounds. We learned AR spells /ar/. When that happens it is called an 'r-controlled' vowel because the R takes over the vowel's sound. Another r-controlled vowel sound is /or/. OR usually represents the /or/ sound.

OR and ORE spell /or/

OR can come in the middle or beginning of a word, such as , , orb. When we hear /or/ at the end of a word it is usually spelled ORE, such as more and store.

How our mouth moves

For the /or/ sound, we begin with our lips rounded, almost like we're going to say /aw/, but the /r/ pulls the sides of our tongue up to say /or/. Your voice is on. Listen: /or/. The /or/ sound is a continuous sound that can be stretched out. Watch me /or/. You try /or/.

Sound wall

Add 'or' and 'ore' under /or/.

Open the digital sound wall →