As a teacher you know there’s nothing worse than preparing sub plans. Here are six ways to streamline your process to prepare for a sub and a smooth return and glowing notes from the sub! Easy peasy sub plan ideas!
Easy Sub Notes
I’m guilty of leaving pages and pages of sub plans early on in my career. Over time, I learned that less is usually more. Simple Post-its and even writing on the tables works! I got this great idea from Learning in Wonderland’s post here.
Class Note
Anytime I know I’m going to be out, I write my students a class note to let them know I’ll miss them. It’s also a gentle reminder to be on their best behavior for the guest teacher. I’ve also seen teachers do this individually on student desks.
Quick Reference Sheet
If you have a sub binder, fantastic! But I like to use a one page reference sheet for the sub with simple instructions and schedules. Subbing can be overwhelming enough as it is and I like to think that this one page sheet is less overwhelming when walking into a classroom. Grab the free sheet here (this is a Google Drive document, when you make a copy, either edit away or download as a powerpoint)!
Prep a Sub Tub
A sub tub may take a little extra work, but it’s 100% worth your time. Especially for those last minute, unexpected times you just have to be out and don’t have enough time or energy to write legit sub plans. My sub tub has saved me many times and I’ll never not have one. Things I make sure to include in the sub tub are a list of students, our daily schedule, dismissal info, and a list of reliable students who will be able to help the guest teacher out and answer any questions. I also include extra copies or things we never got to in class. That way the guest teacher basically has a “bag of tricks” to pull from and I know we’ve already covered it in class, so less sweat there. This printable is from Sailing into Second. I use a file tub like this one linked (affiliate link).
Keep it Simple
When I have a guest teacher, I keep it simple and use activities that reinforce skills I have already taught. I try not to leave a sub new content to teach. Here are a few of my go-to sub activities that you can find in my TpT Store.
Task cards are so versatile and can be used in so many different ways. These are one of my go-to sub activities that I like to leave when I’m going to be out.
Roll & reads are another easy-to-prep, engaging activity that’s simple enough to leave with a sub. These are also great, because I know the students will be engaged with these activities for a good chunk of time. Plus, the sub can decide if the students will work independently or with partners!
Roll with math facts have the same set up as the roll & reads, so less directions for the sub! I like to leave these for our math block and use the skills that align with what I’ve already taught.
Read and color sight words are a low-prep sub activity, and I know students will be practicing important skills with these.
Color by Sound are the best of both worlds. Coloring (because, hello, little people love coloring) and reinforcing phonics skills.
ABC order practice is something students always need practice with, and it’s something the sub can easily manage.
My students are already familiar with all of these activities, so I know the sub won’t need to do a ton of front-loading or teaching of routines and directions.
Proud of Me Board
This Proud of Me Board takes about five minutes to prep and it is so effective and motivating for students. At the end of the day, students will add something I’ll be proud of them for. Super simple and super effective to keep behavior focused on the positive.
I hope you found some fresh ideas for the next time you have to have a sub in your classroom! What are your favorite go-to sub ideas?
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