Substitute Teacher Tips: How to Prepare and Write Lesson Plans

With all the extras that teachers have on their plates, substitute teachers are and will continue to be in demand regularly. How can you, as the classroom teacher prepare your sub and best assure a productive, happy school day for everyone? You will want to prepare ahead of time so that you can have peace of mind about the care of your students. As a veteran classroom and substitute teacher, I've compiled a guide for you to use as a checklist to fill out each time you need to call a sub. This guide will answer the following questions:

Create a Substitute Teacher Folder: Many schools have published substitute teacher handbook information already. Keep a copy of this guide in a binder or sub folder. A substitute teacher handbook or guide should include information on and forms relating to:

School rules, policies and procedures:Be sure she knows what school and classroom rules are and how to enforce them. Here is an example: our high school has a rule banning students from wearing the hoods of their sweatshirts over their heads. Don't assume that your sub will know each rule; you would be surprised at how rules vary from school to school.

Parent Information

Discipline procedure and forms: Be realistic and honest in your expectations of your sub and of students. Be clear about what you expect.

Illness procedures and injury report forms: The substitute needs to know where to send students that are ill.

Lunch procedure: schedule, drop off and pick up, what the teacher is expected to do

Attendance procedure: Explain how, where with who to note attendance.

Phone list of support staff/where to get help: Is there an office call button? Where is it? Who should I call by phone for help?