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Reading · Sounds and rhymes

Syllable Drum: Tap the beats in a word

Kids tap a drum once for each beat in a word, and the word breaks into its beats as it's said: but·ter·fly. Words grow from one or two beats to four, then kids split words into beats and find the word with three.

  • GradesKindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade
  • Levels5, from “1 or 2 beats” to “Which has 3?”
  • 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 Syllable Drum on a phone

How Syllable Drum works

The 5 levels

  1. 1 or 2 beats
  2. 1 to 3 beats
  3. Up to 4 beats
  4. Split it
  5. Which has 3?

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.B
Count, say, blend and split the syllables in spoken words.
RF.1.3.D
Know that every syllable has a vowel sound.

Practice it at home

Questions about Syllable Drum

What grade is Syllable Drum for?
Kindergarten to 2nd grade. It’s a syllables game with 5 levels that move up when your kid is ready.
Which standards does Syllable Drum cover?
It lines up with Common Core reading and writing RF.K.2.B and RF.1.3.D. Standards vary by state, so check with your kid’s teacher for the exact match.
Does my kid need to read to play Syllable Drum?
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 Syllable Drum?
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 Syllable Drum 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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