How Should I Plan Lessons for Substitute Teachers?

Welcome back to Teaching with Valor, where we explore the practical, everyday strategies that help teachers become better educators, one lesson and one challenge at a time. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today’s episode is all about a crucial but often overlooked aspect of teaching: How should I plan for substitute teachers?

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s due to illness, a family emergency, professional development, or even just a personal day, every teacher will need to rely on a substitute at some point. The challenge is, how do you ensure that learning continues even when you’re not in the room? It’s tempting to leave “filler” activities, but the reality is, planning for a substitute is just as important as planning for a regular day of instruction.

So, in today’s deep dive, we’re going to explore strategies for creating effective sub plans that keep the classroom running smoothly, no matter the grade level. We’ll cover what makes a good sub plan for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, discuss how to prepare for the unexpected, and share tips on how to help both your students and the substitute teacher succeed in your absence.

We’ll also touch on how to create a "substitute teacher kit" that you can have ready at all times, so you're never caught off guard when you need to take a day off.

Show Notes

For more information on this topic checkout the following resources:

• Edutopia – Planning for a Substitute Teacher: www.edutopia.org - Tips and strategies for effective substitute plans.
• The Substitute Teacher Handbook by Julia G. Thompson: A guide for both teachers and substitutes on managing classrooms effectively.
• Teachers Pay Teachers – Substitute Plans: www.teacherspayteachers.com - Pre-made lesson plans and activities for substitute days.
• Substitute Teacher Survival Kit: Ideas for what to include in a ready-made kit that ensures substitutes have everything they need.
• Classroom Management Tips for Substitute Teachers: www.teachervision.com - Strategies for maintaining order when you're not in the classroom.

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:09

Welcome back to Teaching with Valor, where we explore the practical, everyday strategies that help teachers become better educators, one lesson and one challenge at a time. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today’s episode is all about a crucial but often overlooked aspect of teaching: How should I plan for substitute teachers? We’ve all been there. Whether it’s due to illness, a family emergency, professional development, or even just a personal day, every teacher will need to rely on a substitute at some point. The challenge is, how do you ensure that learning continues even when you’re not in the room? It’s tempting to leave“filler” activities, but the reality is, planning for a substitute is just as important as planning for a regular day of instruction. So, in today’s deep dive, we’re going to explore strategies for creating effective sub plans that keep the classroom running smoothly, no matter the grade level. We’ll cover what makes a good sub plan for elementary, middle, and high school classrooms, discuss how to prepare for the unexpected, and share tips on how to help both your students and the substitute teacher succeed in your absence. We’ll also touch on how to create a"substitute teacher kit" that you can have ready at all times, so you're never caught off guard when you need to take a day off. And for our parent listeners, stick around for a special bonus segment where we’ll answer the question: How can I help my child navigate the days when their regular teacher is absent and a substitute is in charge? Let’s dive in. In our first segment we look at Why Planning for a Substitute is Critical. Before we jump into specific strategies, let’s talk about why planning for a substitute is so important. When we think of a substitute day, it’s easy to picture a day of worksheets or busywork, where students simply try to get through the day without any major disruptions. But that’s not what we want for our students—or for the substitute. If you’ve ever been a substitute teacher yourself, you know that walking into a classroom without clear directions can be a recipe for chaos. The students may not be engaged, the classroom management may fall apart, and valuable instructional time is wasted. By planning effectively for a substitute, you’re doing two important things: first, you’re ensuring that learning continues, even when you’re not there. Second, you’re helping the substitute teacher feel more confident and prepared, which increases the chances that your classroom will run smoothly in your absence. Think of planning for a substitute as an extension of your teaching. Just because you’re not physically in the room doesn’t mean that your students’ education should hit pause. With the right preparation, you can maintain continuity in your lessons, and your students will benefit from consistent instruction, regardless of who’s in charge for the day. So, let’s explore how you can create effective substitute plans, starting with the elementary school level. At the elementary level, planning for a substitute requires careful attention to both instructional continuity and classroom management. Younger students thrive on routine, and when their regular teacher is absent, it can disrupt the flow of the day. That’s why it’s important to create plans that not only guide the substitute through the lesson but also provide structure for the students. Start by thinking about the daily routine. Elementary students often follow a predictable schedule, moving from one subject to the next, with time built in for activities like morning meetings, snacks, recess, and transitions between subjects. Your substitute plans should reflect this structure as closely as possible, providing a sense of normalcy for the students. One strategy that works well for elementary classrooms is to create clear, step-by-step instructions for each part of the day. For example, if the first activity is a morning meeting, describe exactly how it usually goes. Do the students sit on the carpet? Are there specific songs or routines that they follow? The more detail you can provide, the easier it will be for the substitute to keep things running smoothly. For the actual lessons, keep in mind that elementary students need activities that are interactive and engaging. You don’t want to leave worksheets or busywork that will leave the students bored or disengaged. Instead, try to plan lessons that incorporate hands-on activities, read-alouds, or collaborative work. For example, if the students are working on a science unit, leave a simple experiment or observation activity that they can complete as a class. Another tip is to include backup activities in case the lessons go faster than expected or if there’s extra time. These can be simple but educational activities, like read-aloud books, educational games, or drawing activities related to the current unit. Finally, don’t forget to leave classroom management instructions. Every elementary classroom has its own set of rules and routines, and students are more likely to behave if the substitute is aware of these expectations. Whether it’s a behavior chart, a reward system, or specific signals for getting students’ attention, be sure to explain these clearly so the substitute can maintain order. As we move into middle school, planning for a substitute shifts slightly as students become more independent and subject-specific lessons come into play. In middle school, students are becoming more independent learners, but that doesn’t mean they can always be trusted to manage their time wisely when their regular teacher is absent. In fact, middle school students often see a substitute teacher as an opportunity to test boundaries or treat the day as“free time.” That’s why it’s essential to create a plan that both engages and challenges them, while also providing the substitute with clear instructions for maintaining order. One key difference in middle school is that you’re likely planning for specific subjects, whether it’s math, science, English, or social studies. This means your substitute plans need to reflect the content-specific needs of your students, while still being accessible enough for a substitute who may not be an expert in the subject. For example, if you’re a middle school science teacher, you might leave plans for a lab activity that students can complete with minimal supervision. Alternatively, you could leave a video lesson that ties into the current unit, followed by a set of questions or a class discussion. The key here is to make sure the lesson is connected to your current curriculum, so students don’t feel like the day is a throwaway. Group work can be particularly effective at the middle school level when you’re not there. By assigning small group tasks or projects, you allow students to work collaboratively, which keeps them engaged and minimizes disruptions. For instance, in an English class, you could have students work in groups to analyze a short story or poem, with clear guidelines on what they need to discuss and deliver by the end of the class. It’s also important to include clear expectations for behavior. Middle school students need to know that just because their regular teacher isn’t there doesn’t mean the rules don’t apply. Be explicit about your classroom management strategies, whether it’s a seating chart, participation expectations, or how students should seek help if they’re confused. The clearer you are, the less likely the substitute will have to spend time managing behavior issues. As we move into high school, planning for a substitute becomes more about maintaining academic rigor while still allowing students some autonomy. Now that we’ve explored middle school strategies, let’s talk about high school, where planning for a substitute focuses on maintaining academic rigor and independence. At the high school level, students are expected to take more responsibility for their learning, but that doesn’t mean they should be left entirely to their own devices when you’re absent. High school students can be more self-sufficient, but they still need structured, meaningful activities that align with the curriculum. One strategy for high school teachers is to use project-based learning or independent study assignments for substitute days. For example, if you’re a history teacher, you might leave an assignment where students research a specific event or figure and then present their findings in the next class. This kind of assignment not only keeps students engaged but also reinforces critical thinking and research skills. For subjects like math or science, you could leave a series of practice problems or problem-solving tasks that build on previous lessons. However, it’s important to ensure that these tasks are not so challenging that students get frustrated without your guidance. Consider leaving video tutorials or step-by-step instructions that students can refer to if they get stuck. Another effective tool at the high school level is to incorporate technology. Many schools now have access to online learning platforms, where you can assign readings, quizzes, or discussion boards that students can complete independently. This not only ensures that learning continues in your absence but also allows you to monitor their progress from afar. As with the other grade levels, it’s crucial to leave clear behavior expectations. Even though high school students are more mature, they can still take advantage of a substitute if there aren’t clear rules in place. Be sure to communicate your expectations for participation, behavior, and the completion of work. Lastly, leave room for accountability. Whether it’s turning in work at the end of the day, participating in a class discussion, or presenting their work in the next class, make sure students know that they’ll be held accountable for the work they do when you’re not there. Now that we’ve discussed how to plan for a substitute at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, let’s move into our bonus segment, where we answer the parent question:“How can I support my child when their regular teacher is absent?” This is a great question because students sometimes feel like substitute days are less important or less structured, which can lead to disengagement. One of the best ways to support your child is to reinforce the idea that learning continues, even when their regular teacher isn’t there. Encourage them to approach substitute days with the same focus and responsibility that they would on a regular day. Ask them about the work they did in class and follow up on any assignments that were given. Another tip is to remind your child that they can still ask for help if they don’t understand something. Just because the regular teacher isn’t there doesn’t mean they can’t get clarification. Encourage them to reach out to the substitute or work with classmates to stay on track. Finally, reinforce the idea of respect for the substitute. The substitute teacher is there to help maintain the learning environment, and students should treat them with the same respect they show their regular teacher. Now, lets look at todays episode takeaways. Planning for a substitute teacher is about more than just filling the day with activities—it’s about ensuring that learning continues, behavior is managed, and the classroom remains a positive environment, even in your absence. Whether you’re teaching elementary, middle, or high school, the key to effective substitute plans is to create structured, engaging lessons that keep students on track while providing the substitute with the tools they need to succeed. Thank you for joining us on today’s episode of Teaching with Valor. For more resources on creating effective substitute plans and maintaining classroom continuity, check out the links in our episode description. Remember, whether you’re in the classroom or not, your students deserve the best learning experience possible. Keep planning, keep preparing, and as always, keep teaching with valor.