The Best Substitutes Are Prepared For Anything!
Most teachers try to leave plans for a sub. Even when a teacher is out unexpectedly, there is usually a set of "emergency sub plans."
If you arrive at a classroom and there are no specific plans for that day:
- Relax! Look on the teacher's desk for the plan book...If you can't locate the plan book...
- Gather up the Teacher's Editions for "the basics,"i.e., Reading, Math, Spelling...
- Plan to ask a student who looks reliable (attendance monitor is usually a good choice) what the class did the previous day.
- Take a few minutes to peruse the previous day's lessons and plan your strategy. (Now is a good time for the students to be working on one of your fun activity sheets or creating a name tag...see Substitute Survival Kit below.
- If you don't have any luck asking the students, it's time to dig into your "survival kit."
Substitute Survival Kit
- Copies of your resume and licenses to give to the secretary
- Activity sheets such as pictures to color, word finds, and crossword puzzles
- Crayons, markers, and a supply of pencils
- Blank paper and index cards for making nametags
- A collection of good children's literature, various levels
- Tissues and bandaids
- Stickers, stamps and stamp pad
- A whistle
- Your favorite book of substitute ideas
- A lunch for you!