ShortBossy R (er/ir/ur) word family
-urn Words
/ɜrn/ — words that share the -urn pattern
The -urn family combines /Éœr/ with a final /n/. Burn and turn are two of the most frequent bossy-r words a beginning reader will meet.
How the -urn family works
Keep the ending -urn together, then add or change the beginning sound. Read through the whole word from left to right instead of guessing from its first letter.
4 reviewed examples
-urn 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 -urn word
Question 1 of 4
Now read the same words aloud and use one in a sentence.
Explore another familyMove into connected text
Read -urn words in sentences
1Turn left at the light.
2Do not burn the toast.
3Churn the milk.
4It is her turn.
5The fire can burn fast.
Ask the learner to underline the -urn word, decode it, and then reread the complete sentence naturally.
Spelling and pronunciation
Keep this family accurate
Keep ur as one bossy-r chunk, /Éœr/, before the final /n/.
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 burn, 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 -urn word lesson
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