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Reading · Sounds and rhymes

Sound Detective: First, middle and last sounds

A clue picture sits under a magnifying glass, and kids find the sound: the first sound in the word, then the last, then the middle. Later levels add sh, ch and th, and finding words with the same sound.

  • GradesKindergarten, 1st grade
  • Levels5, from “First sound” to “Same sound”
  • A roundAbout 10 questions, a few minutes
  • PriceWith any plan, from $7.99 a month
Try it free for 7 daysSee plans and prices
A round of Sound Detective on a phone

How Sound Detective works

The 5 levels

  1. First sound
  2. Last sound
  3. Middle sound
  4. sh ch th
  5. Same sound

What it lines up with in school

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. Standards vary by state, so check with your kid’s teacher.

RF.K.2.D
Pick out the first, middle and last sounds in three-sound words.
RF.1.3.A
Know the sounds of common digraphs like sh, ch and th.

Practice it at home

Questions about Sound Detective

What grade is Sound Detective for?
Kindergarten and 1st grade. It’s a beginning sounds game with 5 levels that move up when your kid is ready.
Which standards does Sound Detective cover?
It lines up with Common Core reading and writing RF.K.2.D and RF.1.3.A. Standards vary by state, so check with your kid’s teacher for the exact match.
Does my kid need to read to play Sound Detective?
No. Every question is read aloud, so kids who are still learning to read can play on their own.
How long is a round of Sound Detective?
About 10 questions, a few minutes. Nine right on the first try and the next round is a level harder; a tough round steps back one.
Is Sound Detective free?
It comes with every plan, from $7.99 a month, with a 7-day free trial. Number Garden and Gator Compare are free.

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