TEACHERS!- I need your help!

[msteddom]

I earned my CA teaching credential a few months ago, and I am just starting to substitute until I find a full time position. I just accepted my first sub assignment and I'm really nervous all of a sudden. I know there will be a lesson plan since this is a planned absence so I will follow it to the letter, but do you guys have any other advice for me? Should I call the teacher I'm subbing for and intoduce myself, or is that considered tacky? I can use any advise! Thanks!


Melissa

 

[hyzdufan]

Being a substitute teacher isn't all that bad. Make sure you follow the regular ed. teacher's instructions, and all should go well. Most of the time the teacher will leave more than enough work to keep the students busy for the entire class period. And, if any students give you trouble, just send them out. You don't have to put up with it.

Relax, you'll do fine!

 

[Danauk]

As a teacher (although in the UK) I have to say I appreciate being contacted by a substitute teacher if I am on a planned absence for a course. After all although I apreciate the jobs subs teachers do, they are my class and if they miss out on lessons that I have planned if the substitute teacher misunderstands my instructions it is something I will need to rectify later. Do not worry about your job. I would make sure you do speak to the regular teacher first so you understand exactly what you are expected to teach. It is also useful to find out simple class rules e.g if they are allowed to leave the room to go to the toilet without asking or which children should be seated away from others. Many kids will try to test you out so make sure you are aware of any problem children and that you know the school policy for dealing with this.
One thing I would say is that make sure you tidy the room at the end of the day (I hate coming back from a course only to have to spend time tidying up!) Also please mark any work the children do with you.
I'm not sure what age kids you will be teaching but am sure it will be fine. Doing this will make sure your classroom management skills are well developed for when you get your own class.
Good luck

 

[hyzdufan]

In the US, substitutes aren't really expected to 'teach' lessons, at least from my experience anyway. Students are usually given an assignment, and the substitute acts as an authority figure in the classroom to make sure the work is completed, and the kids don't get out of control.

 

[disykat]

WHoa! Subs here teach - in fact the district I work in has a policy for no teaching time to be lost and subs are expected to maintain the classroom just as the teacher would. Some teachers do plan easier days for a sub, but it is not just babysitting.

I have found teachers are good about leaving explicit plans. Most teachers have a detailed plan outlining their routines in their sub folder and then a more specific brief plan for the day. I would not call a teacher - if they want to contact you they can. The only time I talk to a teacher beforehand is when I happen to see them (I only sub in one building) and usually they just tell me they'll leave me a note.

Good luck!

 

[KarenB]

I don't know what grade you will be in but I usually had a bag of tricks with me. For instance, I have this deck of cards that has 15 clues about a specific country on each. I would give the clues one at a time and have the students guess. (good for middle school age)

For younger students, you can always take math flash cards and play around the world or sparkle with spelling words.

Intermediate grades enjoy the math game "24."

Don't rush through the lesson and be left with idle time. I know I tend to rush things when I am nervous.

Also, enjoy yourself and learn from these other teachers you sub for (what works AND what doesn't work for you!!)

Karen

 

[bobcat]

I always leave probably too much work for my subs but there is nothing worse than having a class that is finished with nothing to do. Like KarenB said take some extras for your class to work on, you can print wordfinds and mazes from www.discoveryschool.com or take a travel trivia game with you that is age appropriate. Five minute mysteries are also great to have as fillers.

I love it when my subs leave me a detailed note. This can include not only behavior issues but also kids that were helpful. Let them know exactly what happened during the day and if everything was covered of if students had questions about their work. This makes it easier fort he teacher to address those issues without relying on the students info.