R-controlled vowels are an important phonics skill taught in early elementary grades. When the letter R comes after a vowel, it changes how the vowel sounds.
In “ar” words, the letter A no longer makes a short or long ‘a’ sound. Instead, it is controlled by the R and makes the /ar/ sound, like in car, park, and star. (Like the sound a pirate makes – “arrrr”. 🏴☠️ Reference )
This spelling pattern is often called “Bossy R” in classrooms and is typically introduced in Grade 2, with continued practice in Grade 3.
Why Use These “AR” Words for Spelling Bingo?
Spelling Bingo is a fun and effective way to review spelling words and review phonics principles. By seeing and hearing these AR words in a game format, Grade 2 and Grade 3 students build the muscle memory needed for fluent reading.
It’s a good option if you’re looking for Bossy R games to play with your class or homeschooled children.
30 “AR” Words for Your Next Lesson
Below is a comprehensive list of R-controlled “AR” words perfect for second and third graders. We have organized them by difficulty so you can differentiate for your learners.
Level 1: Simple 3-Letter AR Words
art, arm, bar, car, far, jar, tar
Level 2: Common Grade 2 AR Words
bark, barn, card, dark, farm, hard, park, part, star, yard
Level 3: Grade 3 Challenge Words (Blends & Digraphs)
alarm, chart, dart, large, march, market, party, scarf, shark, sharp, smart, spark, start
How to Create Your Bingo Cards in Seconds
If you are looking for a quick way to turn this list into a classroom activity, you can use our free tool at EasyBingoCreator.com.
- Highlight and copy the comma-separated list below.
- Paste it into the word box on the home page of the Bingo creator tool.
- Select your Grid Size (3×3, 4×4 or 5×5), and add a title if you want.
- Download the PDF and then Print your custom cards!
Copy & Paste This List:
art, arm, bar, car, far, jar, tar, bark, barn, card, dark, farm, hard, park, part, star, yard, alarm, chart, dart, large, march, market, party, scarf, shark, sharp, smart, spark, start
Ready to play?
Teaching Tips for the “Bossy R”
- The Pirate Sound: Tell students that the Bossy R changes the vowel sound and makes the /ar/ sound — like a pirate saying “arrr!”
- Word Sorting: Have students sort the list above into “Places” (Farm, Park, Market) and “Things” (Car, Scarf, Card).
- Visual Cues: When writing these words on the board, draw a small circle around the “ar” together to show students they are one sound unit.
Check out these other Spelling Bingo Card Ideas
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Winter Word Bingo – have fun on chilly winter days
Teaching vowel teams? Check out this list of “OA” vowel team words (long O sound) that you can use to make word bingo cards.