Elementary Substitute Teaching Tips

Most teachers hate getting a substitute teacher for their class because it is so much work to get prepared for the substitute. Since many districts have gone to the automated sub finder system the teacher is also never sure who will be their substitute and that worries them because the wrong substitute teacher can make more work for the regular teacher. So if you are going to substitute then you need to go in prepared to help the teacher and maintain control of the class.

If a substitute teacher doesn’t follow through with lesson plans and discipline it can louse up the regular teachers class for a day or two. I know this because I taught for thirty seven years and then started to substitute after retirement so I now can talk about both sides.

Here are some hints to be a successful substitute teacher. Remember maintaining control of the class is of the main importance.

The first tip is to go in with your won simple discipline plan, just in case the teacher’s plan is too complicated and too detailed to get acquainted with in a short time. Take time at the beginning of class to explain your plan, the consequences, and the reward. Example: I put ten tally marks on the board and explain that I expect them to be the best students they can be. If they shout, interrupt or break the classroom rules I will erase a mark for each time. If they are rude to me or another class member I will erase 2 or more marks.

I explain that they are a team so they can help their team win or lose. I explain that I know that no one is perfect so they will probably loose marks, but if there are any marks left at the end of the day they will be rewarded with ten to fifteen minutes of playing a game if we can accomplish ‘nearly’ everything the teacher has assigned. I say ‘nearly’ because some teachers will give a lot to do just to keep the students busy.

Then I start the day. When I erase a mark I do it quietly, but make sure most of the students see me do it. I usually explain why the mark was erased such as “some one is talking while I am.” The game I choose to play is not seven up or a game they usually play, although they do love four corners.

Number two is to always have something they can do if they finish early. I usually run two geometric designs and have them color one using monochromatic colors (all blues etc) and the other one using only primary colors. This is explained at the beginning of the day so that they may work on them when their assignments are completed. If they work on them when their assigned work is not complete I will erase a mark.

Number three tip is to follow the teachers lesson plans and leave short notes like “Completed” or “they need some more time to complete this” or “I told them to take it home as homework and bring it back tomorrow” or “Reading and Spelling took too long so I skipped English”. I usually give them just 2 or 3 minutes less time to complete than the teacher says so that we will have some extra time at the end of the day to play our game. If they loose all the marks then they use this time to complete assignments.

If you do not follow the teacher’s plans it may hurt their time schedule to accomplish units, etc. It is their class and you need to respect that having the students maintain their normal routine will help you maintain discipline and help the regular teacher stay on schedule.

As a substitute I teach concepts my way because I am not used to the scripts that a lot of books are using now and I don’t like just reading everything to the students. Most teachers will be okay with this.

Tip four is that maintaining discipline and control of the students is the most important thing you can do. As a teacher I cared less about how much of the work was done and more about how well the students behaved. If they behave well then I did not have to waste time handling a lot of problems when I returned, but I could just start where the substitute left off.

The last time is that at the end of the day I am sure to follow through and reward the students with 10 to 15 minutes of game time. Do not forget this because it is important that the students receive what you promised them at the beginning of the day.

If you follow these 5 points it will make your time as a substitute much more enjoyable and helpful the teachers and the students you are working for. You will probably even be invited back.

By: C.S. Mackay