ShortBossy R (er/ir/ur) word family
-irt Words
/ɜrt/ — words that share the -irt pattern
The -irt family combines /Éœr/ with a final /t/. Shirt and dirt are common, everyday words that give the ir spelling much more practice value than the bare -ir family alone.
How the -irt family works
Keep the ending -irt together, then add or change the beginning sound. Read through the whole word from left to right instead of guessing from its first letter.
5 reviewed examples
-irt word list
Begin with the shorter words. Add the second group only after blends and digraphs in those words have been taught.
Start here
After blends or digraphs
A speaker appears only where a reviewed recording is currently available. Every listed spelling has still been checked for the target pattern.
Listening check
Listen and choose the -irt word
Question 1 of 5
Now read the same words aloud and use one in a sentence.
Explore another familyMove into connected text
Read -irt words in sentences
1The shirt has dirt on it.
2Wear a clean skirt.
3Squirt water on the plant.
4Do not flirt with danger.
5Wash the dirt off the shirt.
Ask the learner to underline the -irt word, decode it, and then reread the complete sentence naturally.
Spelling and pronunciation
Keep this family accurate
Keep ir as one bossy-r chunk, /Éœr/, the same sound heard in her and fur, before the final /t/.
Five-minute routine
Practise without memorizing the list
Cover the list and reveal one word at a time. Say each sound, blend, then reread the word normally.
Build shirt, then exchange its first sound to make another real word from this page.
Read one sentence, dictate one target word, and ask the learner to explain which letters spell the shared ending.
Ready-to-print practice
Print this -irt word lesson
The print layout keeps the reviewed word list, sentences, contrast, and practice routine while removing navigation and audio controls.