Delta Kappa Gamma Chi State

Delta Kappa Gamma ~ Chi State Early Career Educators Committee TIPS FOR NEW TEACHERS

Substitute and Emergency Plans

It’s almost certain that some day you will need a substitute teacher. Many teachers have stayed up very late at night writing plans for a sub while coughing, sneezing, and feeling terrible. To make things easier, experienced teachers have learned to create a folder with general information for a sub so they have less to prepare when the need strikes.

Items you can prepare ahead of time in your folder for a sub are  A map of the school  A class list  Your daily schedule  Your classroom rules and discipline policies – do you pull cards, put tickets in a jar, etc.  A list of procedures for lining up, going to the restroom, sharpening pencils, etc.  Fire drill and emergency evacuation routes and procedures  Special duties, such as recess, after, or before school duty  Inclement weather schedule – procedures for recess and lunch  The location of your lesson plan book  Which neighboring teacher will be helpful  Which student(s) may be helpful and which might present a challenge Update these materials as needed

Emergency Plans - Required at most schools

They include all of the above plus three days’ worth of lesson plans and materials across all content areas. A grade-level appropriate book or stories with generic questions and activities work well. These will not necessarily pertain to the curriculum currently being taught, however must focus on the standards for the grade level. Include a math review lesson, accompanied by sample problems and practice. A science or social studies lesson could be focused on a scientist or a discovery that aligns with the grade level expectations. An art lesson will also be appropriate, as long as the necessary materials are accessible. It is important to always keep in mind that time with the substitute should never be a lost instructional time, so proper planning will help avoid this.

We hope that you never have to use these plans, however there is a great feeling of security in knowing that you have them.