Family and Homeschool Activities for Teaching Bossy R

These family and homeschool activities are designed to complement the Bossy R topic page on BrainPOP Jr.

Bossy Finger Game

Have a list of words ready, some with bossy “r” and some with “r,” but not bossy. Read the words aloud. As you say them give your child a moment to decide if the “r” is bossy or not. If it is, they should point a bossy finger at you. If not, no pointing at all! Here are some bossy “r” words to use on your list:  jar, art, farm, store, corn, orange, dirt, stir, girl, turn, fur, hurt, germ, her.

Bossy R Riddles

Come up with riddles or clues for which the answer is a bossy “r “word. For example, “They shine in the night sky.” “The opposite of straight hair is _______ hair.” Take turns so that first you provide a riddle and your child answers. Then your child comes up with a riddle for you to answer.

Build a Bossy R Word

Write the different vowel and “r” combinations on index cards or paper: ar, er, ir, or, ur. Then write each letter of the alphabet on its own cards or paper. Invite your child to use the cards to build words with bossy “r.” If they need guidance or prompting, show pictures of the words you want them to build, such as a car, shark, bird, etc.