Mastering R-Controlled Vowels

Grade Level: 2

Duration: 90 Minutes

Number of Students: 23

Subject: English Language Arts (ELA)

---

Common Core Standards Addressed

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.C
  Decode words with common vowel teams, including r-controlled vowels (/ar/ spelled ar).

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.3.E
  Decode multisyllable words with vowel team syllables.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.2.4.A
  Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2.A
  Capitalize holidays, product names, and geographic names (relevant for recognizing capitalization in HFW).

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.2.D
  Use conventional spelling for high-frequency and other studied words and for adding suffixes to base words.

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this 90-minute session, students will be able to:

1. Decode and read words containing the /ar/ r-controlled vowel spelled ar (e.g., car, star, park) with fluency.
2. Apply syllable division skills to decode longer words with the /ar/ pattern (e.g., market, garden).
3. Recognize and read grade-level high-frequency words (HFWs) that include or relate to the /ar/ pattern.
4. Encode (spell) words containing the /ar/ r-controlled vowel accurately.
5. Identify and explain the r-controlled vowel syllable pattern in various words.

---

Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Letter and word cards with /ar/ sounds (short and multisyllabic)
• High-frequency word list with /ar/ and related patterns
• Individual mini whiteboards and dry-erase markers for students
• "Star Park" decoding worksheet (custom printable with /ar/ words)
• R-Controlled Vowel Word Sort mats
• Storybook or poem with multiple /ar/ words (e.g., “The Star and the Car”)
• Audio recording of /ar/ words for repeated listening
• Small rewards (stickers or stamps) for engagement

---

Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Warm-Up (10 minutes)

• Activate Prior Knowledge
  Begin with a quick discussion: “What is a vowel? What happens when an ‘r’ follows a vowel?”
  Write “ar” in bright colors on the board.
  Say and stretch sounds /a/…/r/ to emphasize the r-controlled blend sound /ar/.
• Quick Oral Practice
  Call on volunteers to say words with the “ar” sound (e.g., car, star, far).
• Set Purpose
  Explain, “Today, we are word detectives finding and reading words with the ‘ar’ r-controlled vowel!”

---

2. Explicit Phonics Instruction (15 minutes)

• Direct Teaching
  Show letters “a” + “r” = /ar/ sound and how it changes the vowel sound to r-controlled.
• Modeling
  Use think-aloud to decode words:
  • Break down car, park, star sound by sound.
  • Use mouth movements to demonstrate the sound.
• Introduce Longer Words
  Show words with “ar” in different syllables: market, garden.
  Divide words into syllables on the board: mar/ket, gar/den.
• Teacher-Student Choral Reading
  Students repeat after teacher emphasizing /ar/ sound.

---

3. Guided Practice (20 minutes)

• Word Sort Activity
  Distribute word cards with various /ar/ and control vowel patterns (e.g., ar, or, er).
  Students work in pairs to sort cards by r-controlled vowel pattern, focusing on /ar/.
• Word Building & Encoding
  Using mini whiteboards, students build words from individual letters to form “car,” “star,” “park.”
  Prompt encoding by calling out words for students to spell.
• High-Frequency Word Integration
  Introduce grade-level HFWs containing /ar/ (e.g., are, part, hard).
  Practice recognizing these words aloud and in sentences.

---

4. Independent Application (20 minutes)

• “Star Park” Decoding Worksheet
  Students read sentences containing /ar/ words and circle or highlight the r-controlled vowel words. Example sentence: “The star shines bright in the dark park.”
• R-Controlled Word Hunt (Classroom)
  Hide word cards around the room; students find and read aloud words containing /ar/.
• Creative Writing Prompt
  Students write 2-3 sentences using as many /ar/ words as they can (e.g., “I see a car in the park.”).
  Use scaffolding chart with example sentence frames:
  • “I see a ____.”
  • “The ____ is ____.”

---

5. Listening and Speaking (10 minutes)

• Read-Aloud and Repeat
  Read a short poem or story with many /ar/ words.
• Echo Reading
  Students repeat lines emphasizing the /ar/ sound to improve fluency and confidence.
• Discussion
  Ask students to raise their hands when they hear /ar/ sounds in the story.

---

6. Assessment & Closing (15 minutes)

• Formative Assessment:
  • Quick quiz on decoding eight /ar/ words (phonics focus).
  • Student mini whiteboards — teacher says a word; student writes and reads it aloud.
• High-Frequency Word Sentence Match:
  Give students sentence strips with blanks and word cards (HFW with /ar/). Students match and read sentences to the teacher.
• Reflection:
  Class shares one new word they learned with the /ar/ vowel pattern.
• Closing Ritual:
  “R-Controlled Vowel Clap” — clap syllables of /ar/ words aloud as a fun exit activity.

---

Modifications & Differentiation

• For ELLs or struggling readers:
  Provide picture supports with word cards and extra audio repetition.
• For advanced learners:
  Challenge students to decode multisyllable /ar/ words beyond grade level (e.g., partner, barnyard).
• Use peer tutoring during word sorts & writing activities.

---

Teacher Notes & Tips

• Consistently emphasize the r-controlled vowel sound by mouth position and sound blending.
• Use multi-sensory approaches: visual (letter cards), auditory (echo reading), kinesthetic (clapping syllables), and tactile (letter building).
• Incorporate breaks between activities for movement to maintain engagement.

---

This multifaceted lesson plan empowers 2nd graders to confidently decode, encode, and recognize the r-controlled vowel /ar/, while embedding standards-aligned literacy skills in an engaging manner.