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for subs
By tia

i overplan. i subbed for 2 years k-12, so i know it's important to be as specific as possible! i also like certain things done a certain way, so i'm quite explicit. (then i get cranky if things aren't done "just so" because
i left such clear directions! like the sub a couple weeks ago who left me a note that the students didn't clean up well, when i had left directions for how he should dismiss groups in order to get the floor clean--but that's a vent, so...)
2 important things i have in my sub folder are:
our generic day (with info about which kids go where at what time on which day, who comes into

our room, routines--how to do Daily Grammar; how to get them to lunch and pickup, etc) and then i have a list of Important Information--created, basically, from having lots of experience HAVING substitutes. this list explains stuff like: please don't grade any work unless i've left specific directions to; please don't assign additional homework; who to see for help; students with yearlong jobs; pencil sharpening procedures.... if i know who is coming into my room (or i'm using subfinder), i always make a point of letting the substitute know that i've left lots of material for him/her to read and that it will help make the day go smoother, and i encourage him/her to come in early to have enough time.

with both these in my folder, i would feel comfortable being gone in an emergency and anyone should be able to run my classroom.

i also have a sheet i made up for substitutes to fill in so i know how the day went (mine school/district doesn't have one, and subs often don't leave one otherwise). my asks for absences, did the lessons go as planned--if not, what didn't they get to, who had a good day, who didn't, sub's name and phone number. (in my district, we're encouraged to get our own subs when we know we're going to be gone, so asking for their number isn't a big deal). i ask them for their number in case A) i have a question or B) s/he is good and i want him/her back.