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:

• Schedule of classes (regular and special) and supervision assignment

• Names and schedules of students who leave the room during the day for special reasons

• Names of students with special needs or disabilities

• Seating chart

• Procedures for reporting student absences, lunch, etc.

• Lesson plans (Include an emergency lesson plan in case regular lesson plans don't make it to the sub.)

• Your classroom rules and discipline procedures

• Location of any manuals or materials to be used

• Procedure for use of AV material or any other special equipment

• Names and schedules of aides and/or volunteers

• Names of students who can be depended on to help

• Names and location of teachers to call on for help

• Procedures for dealing with sick or injured children

• Procedures for regular and early dismissal

• Floor plan of the building

• 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!)

Updated: February 18, 2009 8:13 PM