subbing and bad days

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subbing and bad days
By Cathy-Dee

It's always difficult when the kids get out of hand and you do not have plans or materials left for you.

When I subbed, I always had a few things in my bag already copied for at least 40 kids that I could pull out and use.
Perhaps if these are middle grades, put together some create games based on Who wants to be a millionaire or other popular games like Outburst.
Have discussion items ready, bring in something interesting that you do. I used to show dogs so I had slides that I kept with me. They were always a hit.
If you teach younger grades have word or picture search sheets even a colouring

page.

If the school is not going to ensure that there are plans and materials in place, then do what you have to do to get through the day.

To CRW
It may not be that other teachers are not willing to help, we do not often have any idea of what the other teacher may be doing in her class. With grade 2 students and younger, they hate change. You simply have to tell them it doesn't matter what they have done on other days, today you are the teacher and this is what is going to be done. They usually settle down fine after that.

And as far as helping out by watching their kids - only do it if they have asked. You are not aware of the circumstances of why the student is on time-out, etc., and so you may just create more of a situation than actually help. And the gossip sessions you are describing might actually be a venting session which we sometimes need too.

When I subbed, I learned it was better to arrive, do my job and basically stay in the background. By keeping my class under control and getting as much of the work done that was left, that was what got me called back to schools.