Introduction

Subbing can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be.  If students see that you are organized, prepared and “have it together”, you are likely going to have a great and productive day with them.  Here are some tips to make you look like you “have it together”.

Things to Pack

It’s always a good idea to bring a few of these things with you so you’re not wasting time rummaging through the classroom for it.

• Whiteboard markers

  • Classroom ones are always dried out or crappy

• Extra pencils/pens/paper

  • For those who think they don’t have to work because they don’t have the tools

  • Label your stuff so kids don’t walk away with them

  • You may want to start a list of borrowers on the board as a reminder for them to return the items

• Sticky notes

  • For tabbing

  • For labeling piles

• Extra worksheets or a list with internet links where you can print off worksheets

• Youtube/Netflix kid’s show for the lunch hour

  • It makes supervision a lot easier – they’ll be all quiet and watching the show

  • Choose an animated film as some kids may be sensitive to real-life dress up films such as “Alice in Wonderland” 

• Whistle

• Extra winter clothing in case you need to be outside

  • PE class

  • Supervision

• Extra masks and some hand sanitizer 

Before You Arrive

• Email the teacher who you are replacing to get a better idea of what the day will be like

• If you are going to a school with no parking for visitors, call the school to see where you can park

• Arrive at least 10 minutes early so you can:

  • Look through the plans and locate the materials

  • Setup any equipment

  • Check the teacher’s mailbox for extra lesson materials

At the School

• Ask about these things if your teacher did not leave you notes or you can’t locate them in the classroom:

  • Fire drills, lock down procedures

  • Discipline procedures

  • MP3, cell phone use

  • Internet policy for students

• Don't become emotional - never show anger, frustration or fear.

• Learn the names and phone extensions of the administrators and secretaries.

• Don’t be afraid to ask an administrator to drop by your classroom to show the students that you have admin support 

• Don't call administrators for minor behavior infractions, such as talking, not sitting in the proper seat, chewing gum, etc. You will end up getting a bad reputation.

• Do call administrators if you are sworn at or threatened, students are fighting, or if you encounter a weapon or drugs.

  • With suspected drug use, do contact the admin discretely as you do not want to be overheard accusing the students and get into a severe conflict without assistance

    • If you suspect drug use, you can:

      • Email the admin

      • Discretely/casually go to the teacher next door and ask them to contact the admin

      • DO NOT CONFRONT THE STUDENT!

• If giving out treats, please be aware of allergies (E.g. nuts, dairy)

• Do something for the teacher, E.g. mark assignments or exams if a key is provided.

Before Class

• Put your personal belongings in a secure place when you arrive. (Do not leave your belongings sitting out. It is your responsibility to keep them secured, preferably in a locked desk or cabinet.)

• Sanitize your work area and perhaps the students’ desks and chairs before they arrive.

• Review the following:

  • Daily lesson plans

  • Worksheets or other produced materials for carrying out today’s activities in the classroom

  • Attendance directions and materials

  • Special procedures (it is important that you do not vary from the practices of the regular teacher)

  • Attendance lists

  • Seating chart(s)

  • Notes regarding specific students (e.g., special education, individual health problems, and behavior problems)

  • Names of student helpers

  • Name and hours of the teacher assistant

• Make sure that the physical conditions of the room are conducive to good learning. Check the lighting, ventilation and temperature for comfort levels. 

• Get to know your neighbor teachers

• Do list your rules on the blackboard for the class at the beginning of the period.

• Do list the plan for the period on the board

  • Minimizes students needing to go to their lockers during class if they see what they need and have a chance to go to their lockers again before the bell

• Put your name on the board

During Class

• If the teacher welcomes you to text them during the day with questions, take up their offer.  Communication is key to successful subbing.

• Lock the classroom if you and your class are leaving the room

  • To protect students’ and your valuables

  • Take your valuables with you

• Do take attendance...several times.

  • Especially at the high school level!

    • Despite you being diligent about letting students leave the room, some will still sneak out when you’re not looking.

• Make a seating plan for yourself if you’re not provided one

  • Can be discretely done during attendance

• Close the door

  • Makes student leaving the classroom more noticeable

  • Minimizes sneaking out before the bell if they are hovering by the exit a few minutes before class ends

  • If they are loud, it is less noticeable

• Keep a list of students who leaves the classroom and their time

• With lower elementary students, you may wish to discretely allow students to go to the bathroom to avoid the “bathroom train”

• Present the lesson as best as you can, according to the teacher’s plans

  • This can leave a positive impression on the teacher and can earn you call backs

• Have students clean up the room at the end of the day

  • It can leave a good impression that the class was not “out of control”

After Class

• Sanitize your work area, students’ desks and chairs, and other high touch areas

• Lock the classroom

• Tidy up teaching materials and label collected work

• Tidy up the room

  • Missed pieces of garbage

  • Chairs, equipment, etc.

• Email the teacher a note (not essay), be sure to include the following:

  • General behavior – note any special cases and how you dealt with it

  • Leave both positive and negative comments

    • Be frank and honest

    • It ensures that poor behavior will be dealt with

    • Makes next visit more pleasant even if the smallest poor behavior was mentioned

  • Items that are completed as requested on the lesson plan

    • Can be as simple as putting a check mark next to each item on the lesson plan

    • If you fell behind or went ahead, note it as well

  • Other things you need to bring to the teacher’s attention

    • Student’s notes from home

    • Newsletters

    • Etc.

• Leave a business card

  • Highly suggested as leaving your name and number on your sub notes is ineffective – teachers usually toss the notes after they read them

• Thank your neighbor teachers, secretary, and administrators (if you see them) when you leave

Other Tips and Suggestions

Handling LGBTQ+ Students

There will be times when teachers have noted certain students are LGBTQ+ and may go by a different name and pronoun indicated on the attendance sheet.  Or when a student discreetly comes up to you and indicates as such.  It is of the utmost importance that you respect those instructions and use the desired name and pronouns without question or additive comments.  The last thing you want to do is to out them in front of their peers as it can have dangerous consequences.

In the event you have called a student’s legal name (not preferred name) by accident during roll-call, just move on and go back to check with the student privately.  Do not publicly correct yourself in front of other students.

Cell Phone and Other Electronics Use for Students

It is the 21st century and every kid has a cell phone, even elementary kids.  Kids and phones are conjoined at the hips, as well.  It makes them antsy if you make them put it out of sight let alone strings of protests amongst excuses to have it out, and all you want is to just get through the day.  Here are some fair guidelines you may wish to follow, and be clear, explicit and assertive when explaining it to your class – you will NEED to explain it to each different group each time you see them, they will try anything if you don’t.

-No texting

-No gaming

-No Facebooking

-No camera/video

-No video players (or screen must be OFF)

-To use as music player

   -During individual work time only

   -Must be on the desk at all times

-To use calculator (or other educational applications)

   -Must be on the desk at all times

Consequences:  CONFISCATE!

-Also when using device under the desk

-Also when focus is on device rather than work

If you confiscate a phone/device, you may choose to keep it for the day or until the class is over.  You will generally receive more cooperation if you tell them they can have it at the end of class, and besides, by the end of class it’s no longer your problem.  If you still are faced with resistance, you can simply offer to bring in an admin to deal with them.  Be sure you store it away in a safe place – you don’t want to lose it and become your responsibility (kids can be sneaky and go into the drawer and get it back while you’re not looking!).  Be sure to note any confiscation so the teacher can follow up properly.

Seating Chart Template

Sign Out Sheet Template