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Sorting /er/ Sounds

Sorting _er_ Sounds

Are your Grade 1 and Grade 2 students exploring the world of phonics? At Smart Boarding School, we’re excited to share a free phonics worksheet that helps students practise identifying and sorting words with the /er/ sound—as heard in words like term, bird, and burn.

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Introducing the “Sorting er Words” worksheet—a simple, effective, and engaging activity designed to reinforce the connection between sounds and spelling patterns.

 

What’s Included in the Worksheet?

This no-prep resource helps students identify and sort different spellings of the /er/ sound through:

  • A list of 15 words featuring the /er/ sound.

  • A sorting table for students to organise words based on how the

  • /er/ sound is spelled.

Students will read the words and sort them into three categories:

  • Words with “er” (e.g. term)

  • Words with “ir” (e.g. bird)

  • Words with “ur” (e.g. burn)

 

Why Teach the /er/ Sound?

Learning to recognise different spellings of the /er/ sound builds a strong foundation in reading and writing. This worksheet helps students:

  • Improve spelling by identifying common spelling patterns.

  • Increase reading fluency through repeated exposure to familiar sounds.

  • Boost phonemic awareness, a vital skill for decoding new words.

 

How to Use the Worksheet

1. Preparation: Print the worksheet and give students pencils, markers, or highlighters.

2. Read the Words Together: Begin by going over the word list as a class. Talk about how each word includes the /er/ sound.

3. Sort the Words: Students will place each word in the correct column of the sorting table depending on the spelling.

4. Review and Reflect: Check their sorting together. Discuss how the same sound can be written in different ways.

 

Optional Extension Activities

Want to take learning a step further? Try these fun ideas:

  • Write a Sentence: Ask students to write a sentence using one word from each spelling column.

  • Word Hunt: Challenge students to find more /er/ words in books or around the classroom.

  • Illustration Time: Let students draw pictures of their favourite /er/ words to reinforce meaning.

 

Why Teachers Love This Worksheet

The “Sorting er Words” worksheet is:

  • No-prep and easy to use

  • Aligned with key phonics goals for early readers

  • Interactive and engaging, making phonics practice enjoyable for all learners

 

Download Your Free Worksheet Today!

Ready to help your students master the /er/ sound?
Click the button below to download your free “Sorting er Words” worksheet and add it to your phonics toolkit.

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At Smart Boarding School, we believe that learning should be fun, free, and accessible to everyone. Happy teaching!

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