Reading Challenge Punch Cards

I love to concoct fresh new ways to get readers reading.

Here is a new challenge for your students. All you need to do is print the file, cut out the cards, and grab a hole punch.

What I love about this reading challenge is that you can use it to teach genre. And this is a sneaky way to teach it. Your kids will be so excited about finishing a book and punching the card, they won’t even realize they are learning the various genres in literature.

How does this work? It’s really simple.

Let your reader choose one punch card. Tell your student when the card is completely punched, she will be rewarded with a prize!

You can let your student pick a prize, or the prize can be a mysterious secret. Choose an option that will motivate your student to read.

The file includes ten punch cards for the following genres:

• Historical Fiction (2 cards)
• Fantasy (2 cards)
• Nonfiction (1 card)
• Biography (2 cards)
• Realistic Fiction (1 card)
• Mystery (1 card)
• Various Genres (1 card)

In addition to introducing your student to a variety of genres, you can also use these cards to teach or review simple literary concepts such as setting, theme, character, and point of view.

One more benefit is that these cards will encourage your student to research. He may even need to have some discussions with your local librarian in order to complete an entire card.

Have fun with this! Maybe you’ll set an amazing example for your student and complete one of the punch cards. You could even race to see who can finish first.

You can download the Reading Challenge Punch Cards file here.

Note: File includes black and white AND color versions of the cards. I recommend printing on cardstock.

When your student finishes a card, let her choose another.

Enjoy reading (and punching)!