What to do when you need a last minute substitute
In an ideal world, you would always know when you were going to
need a substitute teacher well in advance. You’d be able to pick the person,
leave a detailed lesson plan and have all the resources the sub could ever
need. You would come back to a class that still learned what it needed to in
your absence. Unfortunately, that is not always (or rarely ever!) the case.
Here are some things to do when you need a last minute
sub.
Notify Other Teachers
If there’s another teacher for your grade or subject that you know
well or work closely with, let that person know that you’ll be out. They may be
able to print extra copies of their lesson plans for the sub or offer them some
help or structure. If your school has teacher’s aides, they may be able to
offer help for your sub. Plus, if another teacher or aide knows your kids,
they’ll also be able to answer questions or inform the sub about discipline,
allergies or any other student issue.
Buy a Sub Kit Online
There are so many online resources now for teachers in a pinch. If
you don’t have the time to put together a kit or lesson plan for a sub, you can
buy one from another teacher. Steve’s Classroom has plans for all grades and ages
that cover a variety of subjects. These are especially helpful when you’ll need
to be out unexpectedly for more than a day or two.
Always Be Prepared
This requires a bit of planning
and foresight, but having an emergency sub kit will make it easier for
everyone. A folder with seating charts, student information, detailed schedules
and a class set of worksheets will go a long way toward making sure that your
class doesn’t get completely derailed when you get sick or can’t make it in.
You could also leave an information kit with another teacher so they can answer
any questions the sub may have.
What are some of your best methods when you need a substitute teacher?
Steve Hiles' Educational Resources
https://www.getstartedontherightfoot.com
All the best,
Steve
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