This lesson consists of words that can be categorized according to r-controlled vowel sounds and spelling patterns of -er, -ear, and -ere.  (A "schwa" sound is an "e" that says "uh".)

Sort words that sound like "mercy" and which have the spelling pattern "er"  under ER.

Sort words that sound like "early" and which have the spelling pattern "ear" under schwa+EAR.

Sort words that sound like "nearby" and which have the spelling pattern "ear" under r-controlled-ear.

Sort words that sound like "sincere" and which have the spelling pattern "ere" under -ere.

Sort words that sound like "career" and which have the spelling pattern "eer" under -eer.

CATEGORIES:      -er         schwa+ear     r-controlled-ear      -ere     -eer

mercy - early - nearby - severe - career - sermon - earthquake - teardrop - sincere - cheerful - serpent - learner - spearmint - adhere - hermit - pearly - yearbook - merely - thermos - rehearse - appear - kernel - yearn - dreary