As teachers, we always look for ways to encourage good student behavior. Fun yet effective classroom rewards systems are a fantastic way to do this! One of my favorite classroom reward systems is punch cards! You are missing out if you aren’t using punch cards in the classroom! Punch cards will give you an easy-to-use tool to encourage excellent student behavior, goals, rewards, and more. The best part is all you have to do is print and punch! Here are some ideas on using punch cards that you can quickly and easily implement into your classroom reward system.

What Are Punch Cards?

Have you ever been to a coffee shop, a restaurant, or a store and been rewarded for a purchase? Often, these businesses use a physical or virtual punch card. You get one punch for each purchase, and after a set number, you get a discount or a free item. It works with great success for businesses, and the same idea works great in the classroom, too!

Instead of giving students punches for purchases, students earn punches for their choices and actions. A punch card can be an intricate part of your classroom reward system. They are instrumental when it comes to reinforcing a specific goal.

When students fill up their punch card, they earn a reward. But don’t worry: these rewards don’t have to cost you any money. Some of my students’ favorite rewards were 10 minutes of free time, switching desks, “shoes off” day, and the beloved homework pass. You can add small, tangible rewards like stickers, dollar store trinkets, or even $1 books from the Scholastic book order.

Where Do I Get Punch Cards?

Well, the answer to this question is straightforward—HERE! You can get your free punch cards right here. I love them so much and have found them so helpful that I want you to have them, too! Grab your free, editable punch cards, and then keep reading for ideas on how to use them in the classroom.

A Behavior Management Hack

Punch cards are a fantastic way to manage behavior in the classroom. Regarding classroom management, behavior is at the top of the list. We all have rules and expectations for our students to help things run smoothly. Therefore, utilizing these punch cards as a classroom reward system can benefit you and your students.

With these punch cards, you can manage classroom behavior as a whole group, in small groups, for partner work, or even for individual behavior. If students exhibit good classroom behavior, such as lining up quietly, pushing in chairs, or cleaning up after themselves, they can get punches on their punch cards! Your students will be excited to fill up their punch cards and earn prizes while demonstrating good behavior.

Are you having a problem with a specific behavior? You know, those behaviors that creep in when everything seems to be going smoothly. Set a particular goal for the day or week that earns double punches! It is a very effective way to incorporate a few classroom rule reminders throughout the year.

Ideas for Setting Classroom Goals

Setting classroom goals is essential. They give students something to work toward each school day. Incorporating punch cards into classroom goal-setting can be a powerful tool. Goals could include improving math fact fluency, completing homework, or citing text evidence on a reading passage. Whatever you want your students to work on, a classroom reward system with punch cards can help students achieve the goals you have set.

Since these punch cards are editable, you can quickly and easily make cards for students to match their current goals. These punch cards can become an easy differentiation tool, allowing students to work towards specific goals. Honestly, you just need to set the goal and decide how many punches are required to fill a card. This free punch card download includes options for 5, 10, or 20 punches. That’s it! You are ready to use punch cards to help reinforce whole-group or individual goals.

You can even snag this super snazzy hole punch combo that punches fun heart or star designs! Honestly, students will work so hard to be on their best behavior to ensure they get a fun punch.

Classroom Reward System Possibilities

Punch cards are for more than just behavior and goals. When it comes to using punch cards in the classroom, the possibilities are endless. The great thing about these punch cards is that you can make them your own. They can fit the needs of your students, what you are learning, and the goals and expectations of your classroom. Below are some fun ways to use punch cards as a classroom reward system to reinforce work habits.

• When kids turn in homework on time, they earn a punch. At the end of the week, anyone with ZERO missing assignments can earn a punch.
•  Have you ever been frustrated by papers with no names on them? Randomly punch cards as you return their work. All papers with a name get a punch!
•  Promote great character habits with punch cards, too! Whether it is a specific character trait, random acts of kindness, or just going above and beyond, punch cards can reinforce good choices!
•  Whole-class punch cards are a great way to get your students working together for a common goal. Whether it is keeping the classroom clean, getting compliments from another teacher, or overall good behavior for a substitute, punch cards can also help reinforce whole class goals.
•  Speaking of substitutes, create a special Substitute Teacher Punch Card for those days you are out. Let the class know that the substitute teacher will have a punch card that only they can punch. Ensure your students know that their punch cards are only good for the number of days you are out, and any earned reward will be given on the day you return. Your substitute will thank you for this special bonus, likely to keep students on their best behavior as they try to fill out the card all day!

Rewarding Your Students with Punch Cards

Now comes the fun part: the classroom rewards! Punch cards are just the tickets that will get your students to their end prize, so what should that look like? Again, this is something that is totally up to you and what works for your classroom! Your classroom rewards might be inexpensive, tangible items that you can get from the dollar store or through a bulk order. Things like candy, small toys, pencils, fun erasers, and other gadgets work well and motivate students for a trip to the prize bin!

But your classroom rewards don’t have to stop there! My students have always loved the intangible rewards. Some favorites year after year include:

• “shoes off” pass
•  extra recess
•  sit by a friend
•  eat lunch with the teacher
•  lunch with a friend
•  hat day in the classroom
•  extra computer/iPad time
•  lunch in the classroom
•  “no homework” pass

The most important thing is finding rewards your students like and are willing to work for. Luckily, using a variety of rewards for this classroom reward system works great! If they are all talking about and obsessed with a new song or band, they may earn an end-of-the-day “concert” or dance party. If they live each day for recess, then 10 minutes of extra recess will be a favorite. And if they go crazy for silly pencils or mini-erasers, then head to the dollar store or Target Dollar Spot to stock up.

Honestly, no matter what type of reward you choose for the punch cards, students will be excited and ready to participate in your classroom reward system.

Classroom Reward System with Punch Cards

As you can see, using punch cards is the ultimate classroom reward system. Punch cards in the classroom can be simple, fun, and effective. Positive reinforcement is something so many of us strive for, and this is a great way to put that into practice. This concept is easy for students to understand and will fill them with excitement with each punch.

Wait! There’s more!

Are you looking for more classroom management hacks? Check out this post on getting the most out of hectic mornings in the classroom!

Save These Classroom Punch Card Ideas!

Be sure to save these awesome punch card ideas to your favorite classroom Pinterest board for later!