Reading Flashcards for Adults

Here you will find custom reading flashcards for adults. They are custom because you can actually customize the text that is printed on the back of the cards to make them more specific to your student or students. They are for adults because the images don't have the cutesy child look; they have a more mature look.

Some cards have more sentences than others, others are more basic.

Not all students are on the same level, and you can change the words to fit your needs. When I taught reading to adults, some were very beginners, and some of my students already knew quite a lot of sight words.

I am in the process of creating more categories, so if you have a request for a category that I haven't covered yet, or want additional items in the categories that I've already done, just let me know.

This first category is Transportation.

Transportation Reading Flash Cards
by Custom Flash Cards

Another common category that is helpful to adults is Food. This would be really helpful should your student shop in stores that don't show pictures on the can goods.

Food Flash Cards
by Custom Flash Cards

Visit my Custom Reading Flashcards on my other blog to see all the options:

Another set of words that could be helpful to your students, is to draw the various images and words that are posted on restrooms in your area. In my area, there are not just Men and Women, but gals and guys, mexican words, and more. This can be a very helpful lesson plan to persue to make life easier for your student.

All the best.

Cheryl Paton

Literacy activity, build a puzzle with instructions

Many people need to read instructions to do a particular job, to fill out an application, to build a toy for their child, etc.

Following instructions is a different type of reading than reading a story, a novel, a biography, the newspaper, etc. It requires people to think about what they are doing and to also probably follow a certain order or procedure.

One way to help your student(s) become accustomed to this type of reading is through actually building something that has written instructions to follow.

Something that you can do with them is to have them build a wood kit. Not all kits come with written instructions, so do check it out first to see if it would be an appropriate choice for your student and their goals.


If your student isn't into metal and gears, they may enjoy working with paper. Origami can be a fun craft to get in to; this origami kit explains what to do, and also illustrates the various folding techniques.

These are just a couple of examples. Find out what type of things your student might be interested in building. Do your research and make sure the selected item includes written instructions to follow. Then let the fun of learning and reading for a designated purpose begin.

It isn't so much that they build something that they can use; it can also be a gift for someone. Also, the practice of following written instructions is a transferable skill.

Cheryl Paton

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