How to Make a Sub Plan for a Substitute Teacher

Being an effective substitute teacher can be difficult, but it can be near impossible without a good sub plan left by the teacher. Sub plans are easy to write and cannot include too much detail. Follow these simple steps while making your sub plan-and your substitute teacher will thank you.

Instructions

1. Don't expect too much of the substitute. While planning the day, you might want to avoid extensive art projects or other high-maintenance lessons.

2. Start at the very beginning of the day. Don't expect the substitute to know what time to open the door in the morning. Avoid general times like "around noon start reading."

3. Explain what the students should do if they finish their work early or do not finish it when it's time for the next activity. In my sub plans I always explain, "If a child finishes early, please have them read quietly in the library corner until the next activity."

4. Provide the substitute with a list of high-maintenance students that you expect will misbehave or need extra help with assignments. I do not see this as "profiling." Substitutes should know about these students ahead of time.

5. Leave specific clean up directions instead of just writing "1:30 clean up." If the chairs belong up on the desks at the end of the day, be sure to put that in the sub plan.

6. Ask that the substitute leave a detailed review of the day. This will encourage the substitute not to skip anything on the sub plan and will allow to you know what happened when you were gone.

7. Go over the substitute's review of the day with the class. This will ensure that they know that they are accountable for the previous day's performance.

8. Leave friendly tips in your sub plan for the substitute, such as where the nearest bathrooms are, where to eat lunch or any parking tips you may have. I always double-check the street cleaning schedule and leave a note for my substitute if there is a chance of them getting a parking ticket around campus that day.

9. Clean the classroom the day before you are going to be absent (if you know in advance that you are going to be absent). You should expect the classroom to be as clean as you left it.

10. Assign responsible students certain tasks. I will often instruct the substitute to "have Emma show you how the cutting table runs," for example. If my Kindergartners can handle that responsibility, I am sure your students can handle some responsibility and help the substitute.

Resources

• Rock and Roll Kindergarten