Substitute Activities for English Classes
A substitute teacher needs plenty of activities prepared to do with the students in the absence of the regular teacher. Keeping students engaged in educational activities reduces the chances of misbehavior. Even if a teacher leaves a lesson for the sub to teach, a list of backup filler activities comes in handy if the lesson ends early.
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Editing Practice
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Practice with identifying and editing written errors is a necessary skill for all grade levels, particularly upper elementary, middle school and high school. Use an overhead or worksheets with practice paragraphs that contain several errors. The errors might include spelling, capitalization, grammar and punctuation. Ask the students to identify the mistakes and correct them. If the students know proofreading marks, they should use them in the editing practice. For editing practice on the overhead, one student at a time comes up to correct an error.
Make Up an Ending
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This activity forces the students to think about the details he already knows from a story. The sub reads part of a story, stopping near the end without giving away the resolution to the problem. Each students writes an ending to the story. Though no right or wrong answer exists, the students should write an ending that makes sense based on the details they already know about the story. If time allows, the sub lets some of the students share their endings with the class.
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Vocabulary Card Game
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The students review vocabulary words with the substitute in an entertaining game format. On an index card, write the definition of a vocabulary word. On another note card, write the corresponding word. Flip that card over and write the definition of a different vocabulary word. Write the corresponding vocabulary word on a new index card. Continue so that each card has a vocabulary word and a definition on it. The first student reads her definition. The person with the matching vocabulary word stands up. She then reads her definition so that the person with the matching word can stand up. This continues until all of the cards are used.
Discussion Question
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A list of discussion questions provides a basis for a writing assignment with the substitute. Include a variety of topics relevant to the grade level. The topics might include ways the students would improve the school, their dreams in life, how they would spend their time if they didn't go to school or general social topics specific to that age group. The students write a paragraph or two on the topic without talking. The substitute then calls on students to share their ideas about the topic.
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References
- Photo Credit school room image by Alfonso d'Agostino from Fotolia.com
