How to Prepare for a Substitute Teacher in 5 Easy Steps
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It’s bound to happen— you or your child wakes up with a nasty sore throat or maybe have a last-minute emergency that just can’t wait. Whatever the reason, you find yourself calling in a substitute teacher. If you aren’t fully prepared, this can bring a little chaos to your students and classroom. While you can’t anticipate every possible issue in advance, you CAN prepare for a substitute teacher in ways that keep things running smoothly in your classroom when you’re absent. Follow these 5 easy steps, and you will never have to stress about how to prepare for a substitute teacher again!
How to Prepare for a Substitute Teacher
To prepare well, you’ll want to prepare your students for the unexpected AND prep for the sub too!
Preparing Your Students
Kids thrive on routine, and when a sub shows up instead of you, it is likely to shake things up. You can’t always let your students know when a substitute will be in your classroom, but you can set them up for success by teaching them how to behave when a sub is present instead of you.
Take some time to talk to your class about what it means to have a substitute teacher and why they might have one. Emphasize the importance of listening, respect, and showing kindness to the teacher.
Research shows that setting expectations and helping kids understand what’s coming can reduce their anxiety and behavioral issues, which means a smoother day for both your substitute teacher AND your students.
A little advance preparation on your part will be well worth your effort!
1. Use Social Skills Stories to Prepare Your Students
Social skills stories are a fantastic way to help students know what to expect and how to behave in unusual situations, like you being absent. The Substitute Teacher Social Skills Story & Activities Bundle makes this easy!
It includes a kid-friendly social skills story designed to easily help kids understand what is expected of them when a sub is in your classroom and the routine changes.
This social skills story helps your students understand:
- reasons why the regular teacher may be absent
- how the regular teacher prepares the substitute teacher
- it is okay that the substitute does not do things exactly the same as the teacher
- the importance of following the rules when the substitute is there
- the importance of using good behavior when the substitute is there
- the importance of using good manners when the substitute is there
This bundle also includes comprehension questions, creative writing prompts, and discussion cards to help reinforce expectations and help build your students’ confidence, help them practice important decision-making skills, and encourage positive behaviors.
Make social skills stories a part of your regular classroom routine. Include them in your classroom library or calm down corner so students can revisit them throughout the year. When an unexpected absence occurs, your students will already be well-prepared!
How to Prepare for the Substitute Teacher
Making special preparations for your sub is just as important as preparing your students for your absence! Substitutes are more likely to succeed— and want to return!— if you provide clear instructions and a well-organized classroom.
2. Leave a Clear Schedule to Follow
Provide a detailed schedule that outlines your day to help your sub know what to expect. Include important information like lunch, recess, special activities, and transitions.
A clear schedule also helps maintain normalcy for your students and gives your sub confidence in managing the day.
3. Create a Detailed Sub Folder
The third piece to consider when thinking how to prepare for a substitute teacher is what your sub will teach... your sub should never have to guess what to teach or how to teach it!
Create a Sub Folder with detailed lesson plans, class rules, and behavior expectations. Include your emergency sub plans, ready-to-go worksheets, and easy-to-use activities like the ones found in the Substitute Teacher Social Skills Story & Activities Bundle.
High-interest activities to include in your Sub Folder:
- Easy reader mini books
- Discussion cards
- Bookmarks
- Creative writing activity
Also include several copies of the “Good Behavior for the Sub” notes to motivate your students to choose positive behaviors while you are away!
4. Organize and Label Classroom Supplies
Next, make it easy for your sub to find your classroom materials. Label bins, drawers, and shelves so your sub isn’t spending unnecessary time searching for supplies and students aren’t getting out of their seats all day to “try and help.”
Add a pencil pouch to your Sub Folder with a few extra basic supplies like pencils, erasers, scissors, and crayons for ease!
5. Provide a Class Roster with Pictures
Finally, help your sub get to know your students and their names by leaving a class roster with pictures. Add special notes about students with specific needs like food allergies, therapy times, or special seating arrangements.
This small step can make a big difference in maintaining order and helping the day run smoothly!
Take a little time one afternoon, weekend, or planning day to make these preparations. You will thank your future self for being ready in advance so you won’t have to worry about any of them when you wake up and realize you won’t be making it to school that day!
By setting clear expectations for your students and providing helpful resources for your sub, you can be confident that your students will be ready to succeed even when you aren’t in the room! Now you don’t ever have to worry about how to prepare for a substitute teacher again— everyone is ready to conquer the unexpected!
Let me know if you have any questions about anything you see here. Don’t forget to pin this post to refer to it later!
Other posts you may enjoy:
5 Easy Tips for Effective Classroom Management: Balancing Fun and Self-Control
8 Simple Ways to Teach Classroom Routines and Procedures During the First Month of School
The Importance of Using Emotional Regulation Strategies in the Classroom
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Diane Romo
Thank you for being here! I love sharing ideas with other teachers! If you are looking to enhance your teaching and build a positive classroom community, you have come to the right place!
