Any substitute teachers out there??

[Patio]

I'm going to be substitute teaching this year and would like any advice or pointers that you can give me. I haven't worked with kids in a long time ( except my own ) and am very nervous. I am really looking forward to it, but , still stressing about that initial classroom entry. Thanks!!

 

[madonna31]

I subtitute taught before I started teaching full-time.

There are no such things as tips, as there are no 'rules' as contrary to popular belief there is no book entitled 'Teaching:101'

However...the best piece of advice I can give you is to realize - that your not 'teaching' per se; but 'babysitting' at best.

Try to remember what you thought of sub teachers when you were younger...yep - A FREE DAY!!! Chances are they won't even take you seriously, so don't take it personally.

That hasn't changed in decades, nor do I think it ever will...

 

[mickey65]

What a great thing to be doing! I love teaching, it is very rewarding. While I am full time now, I did do a fair bit of suppy. One thing for sure I would suggest, is to have a folder with ready made activities......things like word search and other types of puzzles. Perhaps a book that you can read to the students (depending on what age you are teaching) Anything that you would feel comfortable using as a teaching tool. Many days I got to the school only to find that the day book of the regular classroom teacher had not arrived yet, or was very sparse. After a bit of being out there you will get familiar with what each grade is learning and bring activities to suit that. Other things that I learned to pack in my 'supply bag'.....pen, pencil, klenix, stickers and a snack!

One trick that I did with the kids was give them a 2 minute 'talk time' I told them at the start of the day, that if they worked quietly for the specified amount of time, then I would tell them it is 'talk time' and they had two minutes to talk to their friends without worrying about the teacher saying quiet down. this seemed to work well with classes I suppled in, as anytime a supply is in, kids tend to be more 'chatty'

Good luck! I hope all your experiences are rewarding!

 

[Cindy B]

I am an aide and I have filled in or "subbed" for classes.

Most were the classes I was already aiding in.. and well, its an interesting experience!

Remember you are the adult, they are not (although they would like to think they are!)

 

[CRB#33]

Mickey, I love your 2 minute talk time!

I've been subbing for 3 years now. Most of the time, I'm with Emotional Support, Learning Disabled, or Autistic children. But when I do sub in a "Regular Ed." class, my motto is, Firm, but Fair.

As best as you can, treat every child the same. You will have your troublemakers. You can usually have them pegged in the first 15 minutes. I make eye contact with these children frequently and if necessary, walk around the classroom and stop at their desk to teach from there without singling the child out.

You will have your angels. Try to be fair to the rest of the class and don't continually ask these children for help or answers.

Try to get to the class at least one half hour to 45 minutes early to review lesson plans, go through the teachers manuals and find supplies.

Introduce yourself to the secretary (he/she is a godsend), the Principal and the other teachers in your grades. Ask them if there is anything you need to be aware of.

Keep a personal journal of the schools, classes, teachers and summaries of your days. Did the teacher leave good lesson plans? Is there a special issue in the class? Do you need extra materials?

This is very important: DO AS MUCH OF THE WORK THAT THE TEACHER LEFT YOU IN HER PLANS THAT YOU CAN!!! Nothing will get you not asked back than doing "your own thing."

And be FIRM, but FAIR! A lot of kids think "Yea! A sub!! No work today." These are the kids that won't like you. Don't take it personally. In time they will see your fairness.

GOOD LUCK!

 

[cindala]

Patio,
Good luck on your new adventure! This fall will start my 8th year subbing, and I feel like I could write a book on what I have learned and seen!

At first, the kids will test you since you are new. Definitely be firm, but fair, and try to mix some humor in whenever you can. In my school district they just sent you in without any training, and you had to fly by the seat of your pants. I can't tell you how many times teachers didn't leave any work, and didn't even leave their plan books to follow. In this situation, try to find a reliable student to find out where they are in certain subjects and just continue from there. Kids know busy work when they see it, and you are better off giving current material that they know will count in that type of situation. If the teacher left work, make sure you use that material. If it is not enough of work, try to expand or find relevant material to match it in a textbook.

Since I've been doing this so long, the kids know me well enough to know that there is no FREE DAY when I'm around. (I've had many long term assignments as well.)

Know that the kids will most likely change their regular seats when a sub is in, so sometimes several troublemakers group themselves together. Just make a seating chart and tell them you are attaching it to your report for the teacher so she can see where they sat. Watch how everyone switches seats back!!!

Always be on time, and try to carry an extra ditto of puzzles or artwork the students can do when they have finished their work.

Talk to the kids, not at them. You will meet some really interesting personalities and have fun while you are at it. Good luck again, and if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask away or PM me!

 

[disykat]

I sub at my kid's elementary school - that helps because the kids know me from volunteering etc. You didn't say what age you will be subbing so ignore me if you're high school!

A few things I would add to your sub kit are a bell in case you have a group that try to ignore your attention getting tactics, a fun book for primary age, and some fun puzzles/riddles for intermediate. Also you can buy books that have quick games etc. for time fillers or activities when there are no plans - just look up substitute teaching on amazon.com and there will be tons.

My absolute favorite subbing tip I read on line at a substitute teacher forum. As an attention getter use SALAMI - stands for Stop And Look At Me Immediately. I explain it at the beginning of the day, practice a few times, and then say it all day whenever I need their attention.

 

[Kitty 34]

This will be my 20th year of subbing so I guess you can say I've made a "career" out of it. I love it! My favorite grades are the Junior High.

My biggest piece of advice to you is bring your humor to class. Kids tend to listen more once they have laughed. (not at you however )

Like Mickey 65 mentioned......give kids a reward of some sort for their good behavior at the end of the hour or day depending on where you are subbing. Coincidently I call my time "chat time".

Also, state your expectations of them right off....even write it on the board as a reminder. Warn them of any consequences you might give them.

If someone is really giving you a hard time especially in trying to disrupt the whole class of their learning time with you, send them to the office without a lot of fanfare.

Any questions feel free to PM me. Have fun!

 

[Talking Hands]

One of my hooks when subbing is if the behave I will give them a sign language class at the end of the day. THis is for reg ed kids. Most of the time I sub SPED classes that need a sub skilled in sign language. Nice to be the only sub in the region that can sign.

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by Kitty 34
This will be my 20th year of subbing so I guess you can say I've made a "career" out of it. I love it! My favorite grades are the Junior High.

Looks like you and me both are career subbers! I like the Middle School age the best too! I agree with the humor part. The kids can relate to you better when you use humor. It makes you "more" human!