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Liv Sees the Bell

R-Controlled — ER 1st-2nd Phase 4
Liv Sees the Bell
Liv Sees the Bell, page 1
1The sun was going down over the river. Sam's mother had told him to be home before the sun set. Sam had to get his herd of mules to the other side of the dam, and fast.
Liv Sees the Bell, page 2
2"Come on, mules!" Sam yelled. He ran after them, waving his hands. But the mules did not go to the dam.
Liv Sees the Bell, page 3
3The mules ran up the hill. Then they all ran into the ferns. Then they all went into the water. Sam ran this way and that way until he had to stop and rest.
Liv Sees the Bell, page 4
4Liv sat on a big rock by the river. She never rushed. She did not yell, and she did not run. She just looked at the mules for a long, long time.
Liv Sees the Bell, page 5
5At last, Liv got up. "Sam, look at the little one with the bell," she said. "When she goes up the hill, they all go up the hill. When she stops, they stop.
Liv Sees the Bell, page 6
6The whole herd goes where she goes." Sam looked up. Liv was right! This time, he did not yell. He went up to the little mule and gave her a pat on the neck.
Liv Sees the Bell, page 7
7Liv held out a bunch of green herbs. The little mule came over to sniff them. Step by step, Liv and Sam led her to the dam.
Liv Sees the Bell, page 8
8The other mules looked up. Then they ran right after her, clop, clop, clop, to the other side. "Liv, you are super!" said Sam. Liv grinned. "I just took my time," she said.
Circle or highlight all the ER r-controlled words in the story above. How many did you find?

Comprehension Questions

After reading, ask these questions to check understanding:

  1. What did Sam have to get across the dam?
  2. Which mule did the whole herd follow?
  3. What did Liv say she did to help?
Keep practicing
Practice R-Controlled — ER with 10 more free worksheets

Picture worksheets to read, match and spell these words, plus this story's word sort, phrasing cards and word search.

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Liv Sees the Bell printed mini-book cover Download Mini-Book
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Reader Details

Phonics Skill R-Controlled — ER
Grade Level 1st-2nd
Phase Phase 4
Worksheets R-Controlled — ER Worksheets

Target Words

her fern herd jerk perk term perm verb herb after river never

Sight Words

the is a and to was it she he they said have with you are be

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About This Decodable Reader

“Liv Sees the Bell” is a free printable decodable reader designed for 1st-2nd students practicing r-controlled — er phonics patterns. This mini-book uses phonetically controlled vocabulary so beginning readers can successfully sound out nearly every word in the story, building confidence and reinforcing the specific phonics skills they're learning.

The free PDF is a full-color illustrated mini-book: a cover, eight picture pages with one or two lines of story text each, and a back page listing the r-controlled — er words, high-frequency words, and discussion questions. Print the five sheets, cut each one in half along the dashed line, and staple — your child has a real little book to hold. A read-aloud version with one large page per sheet is also included for projecting to the whole class.

This reader is part of our collection of free decodable readers organized by phonics skill and aligned with the Science of Reading. For additional practice with r-controlled — er patterns, try our r-controlled — er phonics worksheets which include word sorts, phrasing practice cards, and rapid naming charts.