Substitute Preparedness: Classroom Management

Welcome to the third installment of

This time of year can be difficult managing kids. They're itching for the nice weather and summer break is only a few short months away.

Management can tricky, especially with a sub in the class. Some students think that they can get away anything and sit anywhere because there is a sub. Or that the rules don't apply because it's not their teacher.

Having the classroom teacher leave a note on the board or on their desks can be a great help.

This is what Farley does for her students when she is out.

Leaving a note in the sub plans for those that are good helpers and those to keep an extra eye on are very helpful. If you know you are going to be out, and depending on your students,  telling the class the day before you are out may help so  that there are no surprises. 

Perhaps they can have a goal in mind like a  15 minute game time if there is a good report left. Or an extra recess. 

Be sure to tell your sub if  you have a behavior management system like a clip chart, behavior cards, sticker chart, etc. I like to know what the teacher uses so there is continuity.  Also let the sub know if signals like "1, 2, 3, eyes on me" or clapping or chimes to get attention.

I know one part that can be hard is partner or group work. Kids want to work with their friends but then they talk and don't get work done. Or they don't want to work with a certain someone.

One teacher I sub for has the kids' partners be their reading partner and they are already paired up.

I've seen this cute anchor chart on Pinterest:

Mountain View Teaching

So I thought, what about partners? And I created some partner posters (and groups too).

This is my freebie for you! You'll get the set of groups and partners posters, just click any picture.