Preparing for Substitutes

There will probably be at least a day or two each year that you will need to be away from school. You may get sick, or you may have to attend a workshop. Either way, you will need to be prepared for absences. Here are the ways I prepare for a substitute.

Substitute Notebook:
I have a special notebook for substitute teachers. I store this close to my desk so that it will be spotted easily. If I know I am going to be out ahead of time, I go ahead and lay it on my desk.

My sub book has five sections:

Important Information: This section contains any need-to-know medical information about students (such as allergic reactions or needing to send a child to another teacher to take medicine--there is no need for the sub to know WHAT med or WHY as long as your buddy teacher either has the medicine in her locker in advance or knows where your locker is). This section also has a page that answers common questions that substitutes have (names of key people, whom to ask for help, bathroom locations, location of office call button, etc.)

Attendance: I keep several class lists in this pocket and a note for the sub to circle the name of anyone who was absent and check anyone who was tardy. I find this works well because sometimes they forget to note it on lesson plans, and I don't want to have to bug the secretary the next day to find out these things.

Filler Lessons/Activities: In the pocket of this divider, I have a packet of transition songs and activities. Behind the divider, I keep several easy game-like lessons, a generic routine for a read-aloud book lesson, lists of things to get out for an impromptu center time, etc.

Car/Bus List/Authorized Pick-ups: This section lists bus riders by bus number and has a list of who is allowed to pick up students.

Emergency Drill Procedures: The final section lists the procedures for emergency drills.

Example Songs/Transitions for Sub Book