Breezing Through BTS Blog Hop: Sub Ready

Hey everyone!

It's BTS time! Some friends and I thought we'd share some way to breeze through BTS!

My tip is how to be sub ready! You might not think you'll be out already at the beginning of the year, but you never know!

1. Prep for a Sub

I can tell you it is a sub's not so fun reality when they go in a class and there are no lesson plans. We understand that sometimes emergencies happen, but you can prepare as much as you can with a sub tub (or box/binder). Class procedures, behavior management, phone numbers of teachers/school employees, and a generic sub plan are fabulous.

2. Your Sub

You might not know your sub or who it is. Maybe it's the gum chewing old granny or a young hipster teacher (yes, there is a gum chewing old lady in my district that subs). Try to plan accordingly so that either of these teachers can handle the day! We'd rather have too many things to do than not enough. Unless you know the sub, planning a explosive science experiment or a field trip may not be a good idea (yes, I've done field trips and science experiments lol).

3. Activities for subs

We would rather have too many things and not get to them, than not enough. What kind of activities? Depends on your class. Art time, choice time (aka free time), board games, etc. Maybe there is something you wish you could do with your class but never have time for it. It often gets put in my plans to do a choice time to let the kids just be kids.

4. Behavior Management

Whatever you use as behavior management, please let your sub know so that they can use it. Having as much as the day/class be consistent and normal will help the day go by smoothly. Whether it is a clip chart, punch cards, table points on the board, your sub should know. Also let the sub know how you grab your kiddos' attention. Kiddos need their routine!

5. Extra Tidbits

I may get some flack for this by other subs for what I'm about to say, but I know the subs in my district would stand with me (and this may not be part of what your district does). Leave something for us to do. I often get told to sharpen pencils, wipe the tables, and tidy the room. But then I'm still left with an hour to twiddle my thumbs in the class (and Pinterest is blocked darn it!). I don't mind copying/cutting/laminating.

*Seating charts are helpful! We can learn a few names that way. And we can tell then if Sally is trying to sit by Natalie even though Sally is supposed to sit by Sam... oh yes, I've busted several children with a seating chart.

*Leave room on you plans for you sub to write you a note, or a piece of paper so they can. I always write a note to the teacher. I tell them what lessons I got to, where I left off, who was a great help (who wasn't), and if there is a message for them or something happened (like a fire drill, etc).

I have a bunch of freebies here on my blog to help you out! Just click on the freebie tab above and you'll see math and reading stuff to add to your sub tub/binder.