Lesson Plans

The most important tool for a successful day is a good lesson plans which include all of the information required for the full day. The middle school which I sub for provides excellent lesson plans. They require each teacher to fill out an entire binder full of information which includes behavior expectations, seating charts, lunch instructions/route, bathroom breaks, emergency lesson plans, and a lot of other information which helps to ensure that I have a successful day. Middle school subbing requires much more behavior management and watching the students constantly, including taking them to and from lunch and keeping an eye on hallway behavior.

High school subbing is a little easier in that the students do not require such constant vigilance. When students leave the classroom, they are not my responsibility (as much). Certainly, if I witness any inappropriate behavior in the hallways I would need to address it. However, I do not have to take the students to lunch, which is nice.

Because of this, it seems that there is less emphasis on standardized lesson plans within the school. Teachers have left very detailed lessons for me as well as the bare minimum of information. Some will leave information of behavior expectations and specifics about work to be taken up and work to be completed. One teacher left the same lessons for me as he had for the sub the day before. Almost all of the students had completed the work the prior day. Luckily we were in a computer lab and I asked the students to just stay seated and only look at appropriate material on their computers (the school blocks out most inappropriate sites anyways). One teacher left a note saying that the lesson plan was with a certain teacher. However, not all of the rooms have signs with teacher's names so I was unsure about where to find said teacher. Luckily the teacher brought the plans to me soon after I arrived.

The more information that the teacher leaves for me, the better. There is no such thing as over planning!