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Shelly's Curve Ball

R-Controlled — UR 1st-2nd Phase 4
Shelly's Curve Ball
Shelly's Curve Ball, page 1
1Shelly and Dan went to the grass by the pond to play ball. Dan had the bat, and Shelly had the ball. She had a big urge to strike Dan out just once.
Shelly's Curve Ball, page 2
2"Get set!" said Shelly. She hurled the ball as fast as she could. It was a blur, but it did not curve at all.
Shelly's Curve Ball, page 3
3Dan gave a big swing and hit it far over the grass. Shelly hurled pitch after pitch. Each one went just where Dan thought it would, and he hit them all.
Shelly's Curve Ball, page 4
4Soon her face felt hot. Shelly sat on the bench to think. A fast pitch was not the trick. She turned the ball in her hand. What if she held it by the side?
Shelly's Curve Ball, page 5
5Then the ball might spin as she hurled it, and a spinning ball might curve. Shelly went back to her spot. Dan grinned and held up the bat. "Bring it!" he said.
Shelly's Curve Ball, page 6
6Shelly turned her grip and curled her hand on the ball. Then she hurled it with a quick snap. The ball spun. It went at Dan, and then it curved away!
Shelly's Curve Ball, page 7
7Dan's swing missed it. "Strike!" yelled Shelly. She felt a surge of pride and burst out laughing. Dan's mouth fell open. "How did you do that?" he asked.
Shelly's Curve Ball, page 8
8"Will you show me the trick?" Shelly set the ball in his hand and helped him curl it just right. Then she picked up the bat. It was her turn to hit.
Circle or highlight all the UR 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 Shelly want to do to Dan?
  2. How did Shelly think she could make the ball spin?
  3. What did Shelly do after helping Dan with the trick?
Keep practicing
Practice R-Controlled — UR 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.

Get the R-Controlled — UR worksheets →
Shelly's Curve Ball printed mini-book cover Download Mini-Book
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Reader Details

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

Target Words

fur blur slur spur burn curl hurt surf turn urge burst curve

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

“Shelly's Curve Ball” is a free printable decodable reader designed for 1st-2nd students practicing r-controlled — ur 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 — ur 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 — ur patterns, try our r-controlled — ur phonics worksheets which include word sorts, phrasing practice cards, and rapid naming charts.