How Should I Plan Lessons for Substitute Teachers?

Teaching with Valor Podcast: A Veteran Teachers Perspective

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Welcome back to Teaching with Valor, where we explore the practical, everyday strategies that help teachers become better educators, one lesson and one challenge at a time. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today’s episode is all about a crucial but often overlooked aspect of teaching: How should I plan for substitute teachers?

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s due to illness, a family emergency, professional development, or even just a personal day, every teacher will need to rely on a substitute at some point. The challenge is, how do you ensure that learning continues even when you’re not in the room? It’s tempting to leave “filler” activities, but the reality is, planning for a substitute is just as important as planning for a regular day of instruction.

So, in today’s deep dive, we’re going to explore strategies for creating effective sub plans that keep the classroom running smoothly, no matter the grade level. We’ll cover what makes a good sub plan for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, discuss how to prepare for the unexpected, and share tips on how to help both your students and the substitute teacher succeed in your absence.

We’ll also touch on how to create a "substitute teacher kit" that you can have ready at all times, so you're never caught off guard when you need to take a day off.
Show Notes
For more information on this topic checkout the following resources:

• Edutopia – Planning for a Substitute Teacher: www.edutopia.org - Tips and strategies for effective substitute plans.
• The Substitute Teacher Handbook by Julia G. Thompson: A guide for both teachers and substitutes on managing classrooms effectively.
• Teachers Pay Teachers – Substitute Plans: www.teacherspayteachers.com - Pre-made lesson plans and activities for substitute days.
• Substitute Teacher Survival Kit: Ideas for what to include in a ready-made kit that ensures substitutes have everything they need.
• Classroom Management Tips for Substitute Teachers: www.teachervision.com - Strategies for maintaining order when you're not in the classroom.

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!