Over the years, it has become much easier putting together lesson plans that I would leave for a substitute teacher. Keep reading to learn more about the game-changing system I discovered, and for additional sub plans tips for middle school and high school teachers!
Essential Classroom Information
When it comes to the essential classroom information, make sure to include the following information for the substitute teacher: Class roster, Attendance sheet, Up-to-date seating chart, Daily instruction schedule/school schedule, Names of helpful students (Yes, I even do this at the middle/high school level), Classroom rules, routines and procedures (these are typically also hung up in my classroom somewhere), Passes and other official forms a substitute may need.
For myself, I always make it standard practice to leave copies of my lesson plans for the next day on my desk before I go home for the day, or you could put it all together in a Sub folder, tub or bin. Whatever works best for you! Over time you will get into a system that works not only for you but your students too.
Preparing Your Students for a Sub
If your students are anything like mine…they FREAK out when I am not there! Why? Because students thrive on predictability and routine (including our high school students!). When we are not there that breaks the routine and cycle, which can really throw some of them for a loop! If possible, I would always make sure to tell my students that I would be out ahead of time, this will set not only the substitute up for success but the students as well. Typically, I would tell my students at the end of class that I wouldn’t be there the next day, that way it didn’t affect the current day’s lesson. Then, before I leave for the day, I write anything that is important for them on the board and what is expected of them during class and what they will be working on, plus a positive message too. Why should you write it and not the sub? Because it is important for students to see the message from you! In your handwriting! Trust me this will have a much bigger impact on your students than you know! I Here is what I write:
What Assignments Do I Leave?
When it comes to choosing assignments to leave it is solely going to depend on your grade level and students. Being a foreign language teacher, the chances of my substitute teacher knowing the language would be slim to none! Therefore I always leave activities that are simple, easy to understand and possibly something we have already done together as a class. This way students already know what to do and will get it done! In the sub notes, I always say what they students are and are not allowed to do, so that everyone is on the same page. I will let the sub know that students need to work independently or they are allowed to work in pairs to help each other out when needed, as well as they may listen to music quietly as they work.
Some assignments that I like to leave with my students are things that we have done together before for example their workbook, VHL, Duolinguo, Memrise, This Is Language, Choice Board, etc.
*IMPORTANT* Do not leave an assessment or anything that is imperative for students with a sub! There are too many issues that could arise with leaving this type of assignment.
Use a Template
Writing out lesson plans for a sub can be so time consuming, especially if you teach a lot of preps. That is when I started to use a template, and it saved me so much time! You don’t have to rack your brain trying to remember all the details you need to include for the sub, because they will always be in the template. After you fill out the template the first time, you just have to adjust it each time you’re out to fit the needs of the lesson. If you need a template, look no further.
Emergency Sub Plans
As much as we all like to think that we are never going to be out, it is way out of our control some days (especially once you have children) that you will have to plan for a sub without advance notice. To prepare yourself for these situations make sure that you have emergency sub plans ready. I recommend having at least 3 days prepared, if you are extra like me, I always liked to have 5 days ready to go “just in case”. Make sure you have a go to colleague or your department chair (my go to was my department chair) to let them know you will be out and have them pull the emergency sub plans out and place them on your desk for you. Find your person, this is so important and alleviates an already stressful situation for you. In return, offer to do the same for them.
In the end, it is best to be prepared for days that we are absent from class to the best of our abilities. Remember that we are human and life happens! Below you will find an example of my sub plan template, you can get this template and more on my TpT Store!
As always, I hope that you have found this information useful and helpful to you!
Merci,
Amanda
EXAMPLE SUB PLAN:
February 7th – Sub Plans
Bienvenue! Attached are the class lists and attendance forms for each class. Below are the classes and periods that I teach. Please let me know of any problems that arose in class and they will be handled accordingly upon my return. Thanks for subbing for me today ☺
*** All of this is also posted on Google Classroom for the students.***
My schedule is as follows:
| Period | Class | Start Time | End Time |
| 1 | PLANNING | 8:20 | 9:13 |
| 2 | French 1 | 9:18 | 10:11 |
| 3 | French 1 | 10:16 | 11:09 |
| 4 | PLANNING/LUNCH | 11:14 | 1:29 |
| 5 | French 3 | 1:34 | 2:27 |
| 6 | French 4/5H | 2:32 | 3:30 |
| French 1: |
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| French 3: |
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| French 4/5H: |
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