Lesson 22 – The /ur/ Sound

1. Learning Focus Poster

/ur/ is for Unique Learners!

Today We Will Learn

• The /ur/ sound

• How to read words with ur

• Featured ur words

• Reading simple sentences

• Practising spelling and writing

Learning Theme

Unique learners understand that everyone learns differently. They work hard, help others, and grow a little stronger every day.

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

Learning Objectives

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

• Recognize the ur letter pattern.

• Pronounce the /ur/ sound correctly.

• Read common ur words.

• Use ur words in simple sentences.

• Spell and write ur words confidently.

Featured Visuals

Include colourful pictures of:

• nurse

• turtle

• church

• purple shirt

• hamburger

• purse

• children learning together

Character Corner

Understanding

Unique learners are kind, patient, and understanding. They help one another and celebrate everyone's success.

Daily Affirmation

"I am a unique learner. I work hard and learn with confidence every day!"

2. Meet the /ur/ Sound Poster

Meet the /ur/ Sound

The letters u 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 u.

Listen to these words:

• nurse

• turtle

• church

• purse

Let's Say It Together!

"/ur/ says ur... ur... ur!"

Remember

When u comes before r, it usually makes the /ur/ sound.

Examples:

• nurse

• turtle

• church

• purse

3. Featured Words Chart

Beginner Words

• fur

• burn

• turn

• curl

• hurt

• purse

• nurse

• church

• turtle

• purple

Everyday Words

• hamburger

• Thursday

• curtain

• surprise

• turkey

• burst

• return

• journey

• furnace

• curly

Challenge Words

• wonderful

• carefully

• purple butterfly

• churchyard

• hamburger lunch

• turning

• cheerful nurse

• turtle shell

• curtain rod

• return home

4. Sentences to Spark Sound & Story

1. The nurse helped the little boy feel better.

2. We saw a turtle swimming slowly in the pond.

3. Our family went to church on Sunday morning.

4. Mom carried her purse to the market.

5. I wore a purple shirt to school today.

6. Dad cooked delicious hamburgers for dinner.

7. Please turn the page and continue reading.

8. Be careful not to hurt yourself while playing.

9. The cat has soft, fluffy fur.

10. Unique learners understand, encourage, and help one another.

5. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1 — Read the Words

nurse

church

turtle

purple

purse

turn

hurt

fur

hamburger

Thursday

Exercise 2 — Circle the /ur/ Word

1.

nurse doctor teacher

2.

church school library

3.

purple green blue

4.

turtle fish frog

5.

purse basket box

6.

hamburger pizza rice

Exercise 3 — Fill in the Missing Letters

n__rse

t__rtle

ch__rch

p__rple

p__rse

t__rn

h__rt

f__r

Exercise 4 — Match the Word to the Picture

• nurse → 👩🏽‍⚕️

• turtle → 🐢

• church → ⛪

• purse → 👛

• purple → 💜

• hamburger → 🍔

Exercise 5 — Complete the Sentences

Choose the correct word.

1. The ______ helped the patient.
   (nurse / driver)

2. We visited the ______ on Sunday.
   (church / cinema)

3. The ______ walks slowly.
   (turtle / rabbit)

4. Mom placed her money in her ______.
   (purse / pocket)

5. My favourite colour is ______.
   (purple / orange)

6. Please ______ the page.
   (turn / jump)

7. The dog has soft ______.
   (fur / feathers)

8. Dad grilled a tasty ______.
   (hamburger / pancake)

Exercise 6 — Read and Choose

1.

The nurse smiled at the children.

○ nurse

○ teacher

2.

The turtle walked slowly.

○ turtle

○ horse

3.

The family went to church.

○ church

○ park

4.

My purse is on the chair.

○ purse

○ shoe

5.

Please turn the page.

○ turn

○ close

Exercise 7 — Write Your Own Sentences

Write one sentence using each word.

• nurse

• turtle

• church

• purple

• purse

6. Reading Fluency Passage

The Purple Purse

One Thursday morning, Ava went to church with her grandmother. Grandma carried a beautiful purple purse. After the service, they visited a small park where they saw a turtle resting near a pond.

On their way home, they thanked a friendly nurse who helped an elderly woman cross the road. Ava smiled and said, "Kindness makes every journey special."

Reading Comprehension

Answer the questions.

1. What day did Ava go to church?

2. What colour was Grandma's purse?

3. What animal did they see in the park?

4. Who helped the elderly woman?

5. What did Ava learn that day?

Find the /ur/ Words

Underline these words in the story.

• Thursday

• church

• purple

• purse

• turtle

• nurse

• journey

7. Vocabulary Builder

WordMeaningnurseA person who cares for sick or injured people.turtleA slow-moving reptile with a hard shell.churchA place where people gather to worship God.purseA small bag used to carry money and personal items.purpleA colour made by mixing red and blue.journeyA trip from one place to another.

8. Home Connection

Family Activity

Look around your home and neighbourhood. Can you find five things with the /ur/ sound?

Examples:

• purse

• purple

• church

• turtle (picture or toy)

• turn (road sign or book page)

Draw your favourite one and write a sentence about it.

9. Phonics Activity Page

Find the /ur/ Sound

Circle every word with ur.

nurse chair purple church table turn turtle cat fur purse

Word Hunt

Find these hidden words.

• nurse

• church

• turtle

• purse

• purple

Sort the Words

PeoplePlacesThingsnursechurchpursegrandmotherparkturtleteacherhospitalhamburger

10. Teacher's Tips

Memory Trick

"When U meets R, it says /ur/!"

Encourage learners to repeat:

fur — turn — nurse — church — purse

Teaching Suggestions

• Let children clap once for each word they hear with the /ur/ sound.

• Use picture cards and have learners say the word aloud before reading it.

• Compare ur words with ar, er, and ir words so children notice the different spellings that create R-controlled vowel sounds.

• Invite learners to create a simple story using three /ur/ words.

11. YouTube Thumbnail

Main Title

Learn the /ur/ Sound!

Subtitle

Unique Learners Master the /ur/ Sound!

Include

• Giant colourful ur

• Nurse

• Turtle

• Church

• Purple purse

• Hamburger

• Happy children reading

• Bright classroom background

12. Long-Form Video Thumbnail

Branding

Ngeche Therese N

Elementary Education Explorer®

Main Title

Learn the /ur/ Sound!

Lesson Includes

• What is the /ur/ sound?

• Featured Words

• Reading Practice

• Fun Activities

• Writing Practice

Footer

"Unique Learners Read with Understanding!"

Excellent work! We've now completed four of the six R-controlled vowel lessons:

• The – /ar/

• The – /er/

• The – /ir/

• The – /ur/

Next, we'll continue with – The /or/ Sound, followed by – The /ear/ Sound, completing this important phonics unit for the Elementary Education Explorer® R-controlled series.