6 things you should have for a sub

"That's not the way our teacher does it..."

I can't even imagine the number of times a substitute teacher will hear that phrase upon entering my classroom in my stead. I give them props! I try to be super detailed for my subs, and have worked on how I put my materials together for them over the years. Currently I have a multi-page clear folder that I snagged from the Dollar Tree that holds all of my sub tools. Here are six things that I think make prepping for a sub easier on me.

Thought I'd share them with you and please share your tips with me - anything helps because we all know what a job in itself it is to create sub plans and to prep for a sub!

I lay the multi-page folder open. I use a binder clip to clip a label the left-handed side for subs to clip all papers/notes that float into their possession during the day.

I tuck my lesson plans and label them too for quick reference.

Welcome - At a Glance

In the very front window pocket of the entire folder, I tuck in this welcome note and then proceed to fill the rest of the pockets inside the folder with the sheets below. 

Class List

This one may be obvious, but I include a class list with photos. I also hand this out to our specials teachers the first week of school and they are very grateful. I normally keep a set of name labels in the pocket with this list to make calling students by name a matter of "peel and stick". Since I mention students by name in my plans, I think this helps give a heads up before the day begins.

Contacts List

I like to mention helpful people by name that would be the top three a sub might come in contact with on any given day. This includes our secretary, our school nurse and my favorite teacher down the hall. I'd want to be able to call someone by their name if I could... names are important!

Plus we all know how valuable it is to make great friends with the school secretary! {wink}

Procedures

If I want my high expectations held throughout my half day, whole day or multiple day absence... I figure I'd better shed the light on them. This is a "sub-ified" version of our parent/student behavior agreement plan for our classroom.

Emergency Procedures

This one is my least favorite, so I try to make it easy on the eyes. Our normal one that hangs by our door is NOT user-friendly but is mandated. So, I keep this one in the folder to make it easy to grab and go and understand my version of how I explain things to students.

I like to spread out the day's materials and place a label card on top of each set of materials. It allows me to do one final check that I've set out everything they need to match the plans I've made. I adhered a library card pocket to hold all of these 3x5 cards in the back of my sub folder, keeping them all together. I'm really good at leaving materials for subs to work on during any precious prep times and use this label as the icons match our daily agenda.

Sample Sheets and Labels

I attach little quarter sheets of paper that I have pre-printed onto any projects that I have subs, parents or aides work on. They are pretty fast to fill out and easier to explain what I want, especially if I have multiple projects I'd like them to complete.

Related Resources from KindergartenWorks

Substitute Survival and Thrive-al Packet
Substitute Folder Sample {free download}

More on Substitute Planning

Substitute Planning and Prep

More on Teacher Organization

Organizing digital teacher files
Organizing teacher materials for the week and quarter
Organizing room layout and teacher space
Organizing behind my teacher easel
Organizing a teacher planning binder

What's something you do to try and make a sub's life (and yours!) easier?

If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.
- Leslie

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