I. Hate. Being. Absent. From. Teaching. …why, you ask? Because I hate preparing for a substitute. It can sometimes even seem easier to go to work sick than to try and get plans together for a sub.
The BEST hack that I can share for this substitute prep dilemma is the Substitute Binder. I know this may not sound earth shattering, but if you go ahead and get your ducks in a row at the beginning of the year, and then just update things regularly, it makes life WAY easier when you wake up with a fever of 105, or you find yourself throwing up and you somehow have to rally enough to get sub stuff together.
In a sub binder, you want to make sure to include a few things:
- Letter to the sub – This person will be with your kiddos all day, so you want to start off on the right foot with them.
- Daily Schedule(s) – This is probably the first thing the sub will look for aside from the actual plans, so go ahead and put it in the front of the binder. You also want to include any special schedules that your school uses on a regular basis, like for clubs, assemblies, delayed start, early dismissal, etc.
- School Map and Evacuation Plans – The sub may not need this, but you’d hate for them to need it and not have it.
- Classroom Safety Procedures – Again, better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!
- Today’s Lesson Plans – because, duh.
- Class sections – There should be a section for each class you teach. These sections should include:
- A blank sub notes page so they can leave useful feedback for you.
- The class roster
- The seating chart (if applicable)
- Any necessary 504/IEP accommodations
- Any important medical notes, including allergies
- Blank disciplinary forms
- Extra / Emergency Plans – These should be made using “evergreen” activities that can be used at any time of year. This is the section you hope you never have to use, but you’ll be glad you had if the need arises. These are the plans you use if you have some type of emergency where you are physically unable to compile sub plans for whatever reason (i.e. hospitalization, etc.)
I know this substitute prep may seem like a lot, but the fact that it’s thorough is what makes it effective. No matter the situation, you’re covered! Once this is made, all you have to do when you need to be out is fill in the “Today’s Plans” section, and you’re done!
You will need to make sure to update things like rosters and seating charts regularly to make sure they are current, but everything else is pretty much a one-and-done! (I try to update mine about once a month.) Putting in the work in this area at the beginning of the year has ALWAYS paid off, and I have always gotten excellent feedback from my substitutes about my binder!
You can certainly make and compile all of this yourself, but I also have an Editable Substitute Binder Template available in my TpT shop. It includes everything you need to assemble your very own sub binder!
Comment below and share your Substitute Prep hacks!
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