fbq('track', 'ViewContent');

Tips for Keeping Creative Sub Plans

Did you ever notice it's easier to go to school sick rather than go through the trouble of writing up sub plans? 


I stayed ultra late at school last night making plans for today's sub. (I'm not known for leaving early anyway, but last night was totally ridiculous!)
 
Tips for Keeping Creative Sub Plans: Feeling sick? Taking the time to prepare sub plans ahead of time makes life a little easier. This post has several ideas, including several freebies you can print and put into your own Sub Tub.

I've learned to keep a tub of emergency plans. I have a folder for each day of the week, and detailed descriptions of my day inside each folder. I also have a binder that includes emergency information, procedures, and management ideas.  

I also keep folders for each subject that is filled with already run-off materials ready for an emergency day. After having subbed at every level, I know how important it is to have clear, easy-to-understand directions so the kids stay engaged and don't have any opportunities to make the sub crazy.

The trick is to have the folders all updated to include materials that the children can do which isn't necessarily dependent on something the children are learning now.

Tips for Keeping Creative Sub Plans: Feeling sick? Taking the time to prepare sub plans ahead of time makes life a little easier. This post has several ideas, including several freebies you can print and put into your own Sub Tub.

Good ideas to have on hand:

1. Practice on a skill that needs frequent review, like math facts, sight words, or parts of speech.
2. Writing prompts.
3. Vocabulary builders.
4 . Mini units that can be done in a day.

Here are some examples of things I keep in my sub tub or leave for subs:

I always keep a supply of these letter writing pages. I usually make a set with one letter addressed to everyone in the class. Then they choose one and write to that person! This is a "win-win" activity. Everyone writes a letter, and everyone gets a letter! (Explore image for this resource.)

Feeling sick? Taking the time to prepare sub plans ahead of time makes life a little easier. This post has several ideas for putting in the sub tub.

This number booklet to 1,000 can be used any time of year.  

Feeling sick? Taking the time to prepare sub plans ahead of time makes life a little easier. This post has several ideas for putting in the sub tub.

Here's a math game the kiddos can play over and over, and all they need is a deck of playing cards! It practices addition skills, and gets them thinking about strategies! No, we don't do the gambling version! (Explore image for resource!)

Feeling sick? Taking the time to prepare sub plans ahead of time makes life a little easier. This post has several ideas for putting in the sub tub.


There's always an opportunity for kids to come up with a themed ABC booklet.  This is a fun activity to start off by reading an ABC book or two. (Explore the image for examples and this resource!)

Feeling sick? Taking the time to prepare sub plans ahead of time makes life a little easier. This post has several ideas for putting in the sub tub.


Here's a mini-unit that can be done any time of year: (Explore image for link!)

Feeling sick? Taking the time to prepare sub plans ahead of time makes life a little easier. This post has several ideas for putting in the sub tub.

If you find a couple of books about camping, you've got yourself a mini-unit in a day! Fun activities that practice important skills!

I happen to have a number of "no prep" activities you can find HERE. Most of them are seasonal, which adds to the fun! (I go straight to these sets if I'm going to be out!)

Now I suppose you're wondering why I was at school so late last night if I have all these ideas...  Well, I just hadn't updated my files from last year, and my schedule is totally different!  Now that the files are updated for the year, next time I'm sick will be easy peasy!

Tips for Keeping Creative Sub Plans: Feeling sick? Taking the time to prepare sub plans ahead of time makes life a little easier. This post has several ideas, including several freebies you can print and put into your own Sub Tub.


7 comments:

  1. I agree it is a lot easier sometimes to just come to work than miss! Great ideas for a sub!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow! You've really packed this post with super ideas. We play a lot of cards games in my class, but I've never done a version of Blackjack before. Can't wait to introduce it!
    I bought your camping unit about a year ago. It's great.
    Thanks!
    Always Primary

    ReplyDelete
  3. I want to thank you for linking up at my Teaching Blog Addict's Freebie Friday post last week! Please come back tomorrow because you're my Featured Blogger! Congratulations!
    Have a great weekend,
    Fern
    Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas!
    Fern Smith's Pinterest Boards!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love the letter writing idea. Thank you for posting this on TBA.
    Happy Friday!
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for all of these goodies, Sally! I just printed the 1000 Books for our homeschooled second grade granddaughter. Ooooh, she's going to LOVE doing this!
    Linda at Primary Inspiration

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...