Lesson 21 – The /ir/ Sound

1. Learning Focus Poster

/ir/ is for Inspiring Innovators!

Today We Will Learn

• The /ir/ sound

• How to read words with ir

• Featured ir words

• Reading simple sentences

• Practising spelling and writing

Learning Theme

Inspiring innovators enjoy learning new things, thinking creatively, and solving problems with confidence.

When the letter r follows the vowel i, it changes the sound of i. Together they make the /ir/ sound.

Learning Objectives

By the end of today's lesson, learners will be able to:

• Recognize the ir letter pattern.

• Pronounce the /ir/ sound correctly.

• Read common ir words.

• Use ir words in simple sentences.

• Spell and write ir words confidently.

Featured Visuals

Include colourful pictures of:

• bird

• girl

• birthday cake

• shirt

• circle

• first-place ribbon

• children reading happily

Character Corner

Innovation

Inspiring innovators use their imagination, ask thoughtful questions, and enjoy discovering new ideas every day.

Daily Affirmation

"I am an inspiring innovator. I learn, think, and grow every day!"

2. Meet the /ir/ Sound Poster

Meet the /ir/ Sound

The letters i and r work together to make one sound.

This is called an R-controlled vowel because the letter r changes the sound of the vowel i.

Listen to these words:

• bird

• girl

• shirt

• first

Let's Say It Together!

"/ir/ says ir... ir... ir!"

Remember

When i comes before r, it usually makes the /ir/ sound.

Examples:

• bird

• girl

• shirt

• first

3. Featured Words Chart

Beginner Words

• bird

• girl

• shirt

• first

• dirt

• skirt

• stir

• firm

• birth

• third

Everyday Words

• birthday

• thirsty

• circle

• birthday cake

• birthday card

• circus

• mirror

• squirrel

• birthday party

• thirteen

Challenge Words

• birthday celebration

• firefighter

• birdhouse

• birdwatching

• circular

• birthday present

• whirl

• twirling

• cheerful

• cheerful birthday

4. Sentences to Spark Sound & Story

1. A little bird sang beautifully in the tree.

2. The girl wore a bright blue skirt.

3. Dad bought me a new shirt for school.

4. I finished first in the reading game.

5. We played happily in the dirt garden.

6. Please stir the soup carefully.

7. We drew a big circle on the board.

8. My birthday is in the month of July.

9. The squirrel climbed quickly up the tree.

10. Inspiring innovators always give their very best.

5. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1 — Read the Words

bird

girl

shirt

first

birthday

circle

stir

skirt

thirsty

squirrel

Exercise 2 — Circle the /ir/ Word

bird cat dog

shirt coat hat

girl boy baby

circle square triangle

birthday holiday weekend

Exercise 3 — Fill in the Missing Letters

b__rd

g__rl

sh__rt

f__rst

st__r

c__rcle

sk__rt

th__rsty

Exercise 4 — Match the Word to the Picture

• bird → 🐦

• girl → 👧

• shirt → 👕

• birthday → 🎂

• circle → ⭕

• squirrel → 🐿️

Exercise 5 — Complete the Sentences

1. The ______ is flying in the sky.
   (bird / fish)

2. The ______ is wearing a red skirt.
   (girl / boy)

3. I wore a clean ______ to school.
   (shirt / shoe)

4. Today is my ______.
   (birthday / Monday)

5. Draw a big ______.
   (circle / square)

6. Please ______ the milk before you drink it.
   (stir / jump)

Exercise 6 — Read and Choose

1.

The bird is singing.

○ bird

○ cat

2.

The girl is smiling.

○ girl

○ boy

3.

Dad bought a new shirt.

○ shirt

○ shoes

4.

The children drew a circle.

○ circle

○ triangle

5.

Today is Sarah's birthday.

○ birthday

○ holiday

Exercise 7 — Write Your Own Sentences

Write one sentence using each word.

• bird

• girl

• shirt

• birthday

• circle

6. Reading Fluency Passage

A Bird's Birthday Surprise

One bright morning, a little bird landed in the garden. A young girl named Mia watched it happily from her window. She was wearing her favourite yellow shirt because it was her birthday.

Mia's brother gave her a beautiful birthday card. Later, her teacher asked everyone to sit in a circle and sing "Happy Birthday." Mia smiled as her friends celebrated with her.

It was a wonderful day that she would always remember.

Reading Comprehension

Answer the questions.

1. Who landed in the garden?

2. What was the girl's name?

3. Why was Mia wearing her favourite shirt?

4. What shape did the children make in class?

5. Why was Mia smiling?

Find the /ir/ Words

Underline these words in the story.

• bird

• girl

• shirt

• birthday

• circle

This lesson continues the same progression we've established:

Featured Words → Sentences → Practice Exercises → Reading Fluency → Comprehension, making it easy for learners to build confidence while mastering the /ir/ sound.

The next lesson will be Lesson 22 – The /ur/ Sound, following this same structure and quality for the Elementary Education Explorer® – Phonics Adventure.