When The Cat’s Away, The Mice Need To Play! Sub-Plan Ideas
There are times when I would rather go to school and push through feeling lousy than make sub-plans. Our subs are typically not musicians or music teachers. And on top of it all, our students need us to be there to pull out barred instruments and other classroom equipment that only music teachers have experience navigating.
So eliminate the stress and begin to gather and organize plans, NOW. It’s never too late! Preparing engaging activities that are musically relevant to your curriculum could include videos, musical games, worksheets, and more, ensuring that the lessons are manageable for both you and any substitute teacher.
The “SUB TUB” or a plastic box with categorized folders is a brilliant idea that I’ve seen used by many! Or, you can make it simpler with just a binder. I’m trying to embrace the flexibility of Google Drive by creating a sub folder that can be shared with anyone, including my school’s secretaries, team lead, and administration.
Here’s what some seasoned teachers suggest to include:
The Basics, first
Tracy King begins by creating a binder with the following basic info all subs will appreciate:
-
- Schedule: A copy of your schedule, including any recess/lunch duties
- Student names: Class lists, seating charts, and/or an attendance book
- Bandaids
- Hall passes, nurse passes, etc.
- Procedures for emergencies. If your school uses code words or special signals, be sure to include those in your plans.
- Technology: Instructions for using technology in your room and any passwords, including the photocopier, that they will need.
- A list of helpful teachers and where to find them, maybe an inter-school phone list.
- If need be, a picture or drawing of how you set your room up.
- General rules for the music room. For example, I have flexible seating choices in my room but I only use them for workstations or movie days, so I want to let them know how I use them.
- Change for the soda machine, and/or chocolate (I added the chocolate, Tracy!)
Google Sites & Folders, QR Codes, Sub-Tubs, Oh My!
Becky Burdett gets her sub plans organized by a simple Google Site where she has general substitute information, as well as pages for each grade level. Each grade-level page has activities or videos in one convenient place. She also posts her own video message there to the classes. Another great thing about this way of organizing is that you can update your plans from home, right!?!
Liz, from her blog, Mrs. Cookie’s Music Room, goes a step further by creating bitly link or QR code, printing it out, and taping it to your desk. That way, even if your admin ends up covering a class, they can quickly access what they need. Love this idea! She also has some other awesome ways to use Google Apps and Slides for organizing your sub plans, especially for long-term absences.
Binders, folders, plastic boxes, or file boxes, make your plans and activities easily accessible.
Consider the “sub-tub!” You’ll need:
-
- Plastic file box or plastic storage container
- Hanging folders
- File folders
- Labels
Look for Part II of this article, “Framework of Choices” which will offer some ideas for all kinds of activities!