Happy Friday and congrats on making it through a week of in-service PD or possibly your first few days of the 2017-2018 school year!
I wanted to pop in and give you a few tips on staying afloat at the beginning of the year.
One of the first things I always create at the start of every year is my Substitute Binder/Basket.
As teachers, we usually have a rock solid immune system and yet once things start to pile on, we get stressed, overwhelmed, and inevitably SICK! The last thing we need to worry about as teachers is writing sub plans while we are lying next to the toilet, you know what I mean?
It never fails that some sort of ‘bug’ will hit you at the worst possible time! And we want to be prepared in case that happens (because it WILL!)
Here’s what you need to do:
Once you know this year’s schedule, write up a day’s worth of generic lesson plans. Plug in review lessons (think TEKS from the previous grade level) that any sub can deliver at the drop of a hat.
Spend a few minutes prepping any materials for that day's lessons (I always keep all of the materials and lesson plans in a 3 ring binder with clear sheet protectors. I include everything the sub might need right there in that binder or a basket.)
Here’s a list of things I always include in the sub binder:
-class lists
-daily schedule
-seating chart
-lesson plans for the sick day
-materials/copies for the sick day
-extra read aloud books
-how we get home chart
-school map
-other helpful things to know page
Chances are, you already have most of these things and just need to print an extra copy for the sub. Print a second copy and throw it into a binder! You will thank yourself later. I promise!
Since you are just getting back into the swing of things this school year, I’ve provided a freebie Substitute Reflection Form. Chances are when you need to call in sick, you will get a last minute substitute who is not as familiar with your students as you would like. It is always helpful to have them reflect on their day so that you know what happened, what went well, and if any problems occurred.
It’s very helpful to have this to read when you return to work in good health. My students also loved hearing what the sub had to say! Because-of course- my kiddos always got GLOWING REVIEWS!
Happy teaching and here’s to great HEALTH this school year! Click HERE to get your FREE copy!
