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ar Words

ar Spelling Words.jpeg

Understanding the different ways to spell the /ar/ sound is a key part of phonics instruction in Year 1 and Year 2. While many children quickly recognise “ar” in words like car and star, they often find it trickier when the same sound is spelled with al or even a single a. That’s where our free printable /ar/ Word List comes in—a simple, visual tool that supports young learners as they explore the various graphemes that make the /ar/ sound.

 

What Does the Worksheet Include?

This phonics resource is designed to help students clearly see how the same sound can be written in different ways. The worksheet is divided into three columns, each focused on a specific grapheme for the /ar/ sound:

  • AR – Common words like car, park, star

  • AL – Words like calm, palm, half

  • A – Words such as father, rather, bath

Each column includes a list of example words that follow the same spelling pattern. This allows students to compare, read aloud, and begin to recognise patterns within words. It’s also a fantastic tool for spelling instruction and word study activities.

 

Why Use This Resource?

The /ar/ sound can be particularly challenging for young learners because the spelling doesn’t always match the pronunciation they expect. This worksheet:

  • Clarifies spelling alternatives

  • Strengthens word recognition

  • Supports spelling through pattern identification

  • Makes phonics practice visual and structured

Whether used during small group instruction, as part of a literacy rotation, or at home for revision, it’s a valuable support for early readers and spellers.

 

Who Is It For?

This resource is ideal for:

  • Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms

  • Phonics and spelling programs

  • Reading intervention or support groups

  • Parents and homeschoolers supporting foundational reading skills

 

Download and Print for Free

You can download the /ar/ Word List for free from the Smart Boarding School website. It’s a no-prep, ready-to-use resource that pairs beautifully with word sorting tasks, phonics games, or spelling journals.

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Help your students master the /ar/ sound by exploring the different ways it's spelled.
Download this free phonics resource today and discover more literacy tools at Smart Boarding School.

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