Sub pack bag of tricks

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Home : 2002 : September : 8

Sub pack bag of tricks
By Deni

Lisa, the seminar I attended also suggested subs take a sub bag with some essential items. You'll find many of these listed in past postings as well as in substitute teacher websites. I have one year experience as a sub,
and I've found MOST elementary teachers left plenty of work for the students, including some supplemental materials. But, I still had an age-appropriate book, video and color pages of my own to use just in case. There have been occasions when I did need to break out my bag of tricks. Once was when the teacher had been out for four consecutive days due to her child's injury during the

weekend. Although the teacher had an extra folder with supplemental assignments, it was good to have something different of my own to share for a little break from the routine as a reward for staying on task. Many of the classroom teachers incorporate crafts, games, puzzles, mazes and color pages into the school day. If you have a cooperative class, it's a good feeling to offer something special from your "bag of tricks" to make your teaching day a little unique, too. And if you are struggling with an uncooperative class,(believe me, even the best-behaved classes can have days when they are "wired" and having difficulty settling down for any number of reasons!) taking a little break to try to reconnect with them can make all the difference in the world.