S.O.S.— Save Our Substitutes
It may not be in your lesson plans right now, but sometime in the future you're probably going to miss a day of school and you'll need a substitute.
Subs are like Santa's elves-they do the work when the big guy isn't around.
Subs will do a better job if you make sure everything they need is marked and handy.
Label a file folder or notebook "Substitute" and always keep it somewhere that people can find it (desk drawer, filing cabinet). Here are some suggestions for what could be in the folder:
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Schedule of classes (regular and special) and supervision assignment
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Names and schedules of students who leave the room during the day for special reasons
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Names of students with special needs or disabilities
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Seating chart
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Procedures for reporting student absences, lunch, etc.
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Lesson plans (Include an emergency lesson plan in case regular lesson plans don't make it to the sub.)
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Your classroom rules and discipline procedures
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Location of any manuals or materials to be used
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Procedure for use of AV material or any other special equipment
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Names and schedules of aides and/or volunteers
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Names of students who can be depended on to help
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Names and location of teachers to call on for help
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Procedures for dealing with sick or injured children
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Procedures for regular and early dismissal
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Floor plan of the building
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Procedures for emergency drills
- Some sort of evaluation form so that the substitute can let you know how things went while you were gone (You don't need any surprises when you return!)