ALT-2 How to be a Substitute Teacher
There are some DOS and DON'T's to being a successful substitute teacher. Some are for the good of the substitute and some are for the good of the classroom teacher. When all goes well substituting can be a rewarding job!
DO:1. Come over-prepared. Have some general lessons appropriate for a few grade levels. Bring at least one class set of word puzzles (ex: crossword, word search). Have a few great read aloud books for elementary students including follow-up ideas. Have a fun Math game in your repertoire (ex: multiplication bingo). If you need suggestions there are numerous teacher web sites that have ideas!
2. Get to the class early. Look at what the class has been doing recently. Take a look at one or two students' notebooks. Reinforce a concept they may have gone over yesterday. Use it as a "Do Now" or "Morning Warm-up".
3. Don't forget to take careful attendance and learn the school's routine for reporting this attendance.
4. If you are fortunate enough to have the teacher's plans for the day, follow them. If the teacher took the time to leave them for you they should be followed as closely as possible.
5. Leave a note with the teacher listing all you did with his/her students that day, list of absent or late students, names of children who were particularly helpful and/or disruptive, list any homework that you assigned, and clearly display the notes the children may have brought in that the teacher must read.
6. One of the most important survival skills for a substitute is to master classroom discipline and management. Be firm and show the appearance of confidence (even if you are lacking it!). The students have to know from the first moment YOU are a teacher. In the morning as you introduce yourself go over your rules. Explain your reward system so that at the end of the day you can show your appreciation to the students who displayed good behavior and cooperation (stickers, certificates, etc.). Make it known that you will be in contact with the teacher to let he/she know who was especially cooperative.
DON'T:
1. Don't be late (unless you get a call at the last minute). It is more difficult to maintain control of the class if you need time to organize yourself and figure out your plans.
2. Don't be overly serious. Try to use some humor, kids love to laugh! If you use the word "underwear" in a sentence it creates automatic hysteria!
3 Avoid any down time for the students. Boredom will produce mischief. Mischief will create disruptions.
4 Don't be mean. You can be firm and assertive without being disrespectful or rude.
5 Don't speak negatively about the classroom teacher if you want to be called back. (Ex: "Mrs. Lazy left the worst plans!")
As in any new endeavor, stay positive and learn from your mistakes. You'll be the "ace" teacher in no time!
