To Keep Busy

One of the more difficult tasks while subbing is keeping students quiet and in their seats, especially during homeroom. I love when students have a daily writing requirement in homeroom. This keeps them working and quiet(er). It is particularly effective when students are required to have their work checked; if they do not complete the assignment there is a consequence such as silent lunch. Writing assignments vary by teacher and grade level as well as the length required. Although the importance of learning to write and reflect on multiple topics is undeniable, for myself the best benefit is that a routine is provided which keeps students working and focused.

You can see examples in the image to the left.

Cubbies

Here is another creative way to organize student work which also helps students keep track of their class materials.

This system works in a connections (elective) classroom.  It would probably work well in a standard academic classroom as well. The teacher has two of these cubby shelves, one for the morning classes and one for the afternoon. Each row is for one grade level - 6th, 7th, and 8th.

It is not perfectly clear in the picture, but if you look along the first row near the right you can see that each cubby is numbered. Within each class all students are given a number which identifies her/him throughout the 9 weeks. They will put that number on every assignment they turn in, or save in their folder. This way, if their paper gets misplaced it can easily be reshelved into their cubby.

Students are encouraged to leave their class folder in their cubby so that they do not have to remember to bring it every day. Every day on upon entering the classroom students pick up their folder, and drop them back off when they leave.

P.E. Update - 100th post!

Subbing for P.E. was, as predicted, quite different from a standard classroom yet not any more difficult. I was lucky enough to be subbing with another teacher for each class. She was very nice and really took charge of everything except for my classes' attendance. I helped keep an eye on the students and keep them organized and on task.

As this is a "connections" class (i.e., elective) the schedule is a little different. We did not have a homeroom; however, we had six classes and an hour for planning/lunch rather than the four classes with two planning periods which the core classes have. We saw 7th grade, then 6th, then 8th, had lunch and then repeated with different students. The 6th graders were actually a health class in a classroom instead of the gym.

The P.E. students were doing a P.A.C.E.R. test which counted how many times they could run across the gym in timed increments. They had to stop and wait for the bell each time they ran to ensure that they "paced" themselves. They will repeat this test throughout the nine weeks to measure their improvement. The health class students were making warning posters for either hot or cold weather safety.

By the end of the day I was quite tired as I am really not used to being on my feet all day anymore, and there was no chance to sit for a few minutes here or there in the gym. It was nice to do something new and I was able to meet new people. We actually ate lunch in the room of the teacher who I will be long-term subbing for and I was able to meet all of my future lunch mates. It's interesting the connections I make in different ways and meet new people.

Middle School P.E.

My original assignment for tomorrow fell through. I knew this was a possibility, as the teacher I was subbing for had jury duty and might not have been required to go. I got a call for another position, and took it. It is for a Physical Education class. I've never subbed for P.E. before, and I'm sure it's going to be very different from a standard classroom environment. Fortunately, there will be another teacher there to help me out. This should be interesting.

Taking Attendance

Teachers take attendance on their computers, subs take attendance on slips of paper which then must be sent (via a student) to the office in each section of the school (this week we are in the E wing, and attendance goes to the E office). I do not always remember to take attendance. It's not that it is difficult to do, just that there is so much going on. For example, although I took attendance today in my last class, it was never sent because the students were testing and I got them started before remembering to send the slip. Taking attendance can also be interesting when many student have names which I have never seen or am unsure of how to pronounce.

One of the benefits of taking attendance is learning the students names. Now, this doesn't happen in one day, but when I am in the same classroom multiple times, I am able to begin getting to know the students by name. This helps when calling on students as well as with classroom management when I can call out their name from across the room to let them know that I see/hear them. Despite being in the same classroom for three days now, I haven't had this benefit. This is because each class has a designated student to take roll every day. I have been very slow to learn names because of this. So, although taking roll can be a hassle it can also be quite beneficial.

Things Are Looking Up

I got great news today when the substitute coordinator stopped by my classroom to let me know that I was chosen for the long term sub position. Finally, something is going my way! The position is available because the teacher is expecting. Her due date is March 12th, so barring an early delivery I will take up the position on or near that date.



Because I am subbing all week at the school already (as well as next Monday and Friday!), I was able to sit in on her class today to get an idea of the class. I was lucky in that it is the first day of a 9 weeks period. This means that students are beginning new connections classes and I was able to see how she handles the first day of the class. This was a great opportunity as I should have the opportunity to teach an entire 9 weeks group of my own from start to finish.



I am very excited about this opportunity. I hope that it will provide me with more "real" classroom experience which schools are looking for when they are hiring. When interviewing I will be able to better answer questions about behavior management and motivation as well as administrative aspects of teaching such as time management, parent interaction, and working with other teachers.

Social Studies All Week!

I'm very excited to be subbing all week - Tuesday - Friday due to the holiday - in the same classroom. An assistant principal who I work with at my other job let me know that a teacher would be out all week for medical reasons and asked if I would like to work. I jumped at the opportunity to sub all week in the same classroom and for Social Studies.

I really enjoy working in the same classroom on multiple days because I am able to get to know the students as well as gain experience in a more stable classroom environment. Hopefully I will have more to blog about throughout the week!

"Yay, a sub!"

When students see a substitute, they typically become excited (this post refers primarily to middle school students). As they enter the room, many students ask, "You're a sub?" and express their delight vocally once they receive an affirmative answer.

It is interesting, because their enthusiasm really has nothing to do with me. They believe that a sub means a free day. Although the students can usually expect a little more freedom than usual (I may not know all of the rules, or be able to call on them by name), they will still be required to complete schoolwork. In this, their excitement is usually premature and excessive.

Some students also become so overly excited that I feel slightly bad for their teachers. To hear them celebrate, you may believe that they seriously dislike their teachers. In reality, they are generally just excited about a possible "free day".

Long Term

I am interviewing Tuesday morning for a long term, middle school substitute teaching job. Unfortunately, it is not for a Social Studies class, but a Family and Consumer Sciences class. This is a Connections (elective) class which eighth, seventh, and sixth graders may take. I am interviewing for it because few people are certified for this class. If it were a standard subject, they would have plenty of certified applicants available. The sub coordinator has suggested myself and another sub for the position. I assume that the other sub is interviewing as well. I am not sure if there are any other candidates besides the two of us.

This is a great opportunity to make connections within the middle school. Due to the job market finding a teaching position is about who you know (more so than ever); this would be a great way to make myself known in the school. Taking this position would mean missing an opportunity with the high school that I sub for, proctoring the Advance Placement tests at the end of the school year. This is something I did last year, and enjoyed doing. However, the long term sub job provides guaranteed daily work from the middle of March to the end of the school year. The AP testing is a three week job with varying hours.



The class seems easy enough. Here is a breakdown of some of the topics I would be teaching if I get the position.

• Careers- résumé creation (on the computer), job application basics, mock interviews (done with parent/teacher/business volunteers serving as the interviewers)
• Textiles- basic handstitching and button sewing put together to create a product; laundry HW assignment; laundry HW assignment
• Personal Finance- financial planning, income vs. expenses, budgeting, financial literacy
• Food and Nutrition- safety and sanitation, measurement basics, eating disorders, fad diets, recipe math and cooking labs
• Child Development- original game creation, ages and stages of development
• Housing and Interiors- reasons to keep a home clean and neat, home safety, elements of design

Multiple Days

I was lucky in that one of my first subbing days was for a middle school teacher who requires a sub fairly frequently (2-3 times a month) due to training. She has her Doctorate and is out either for her training or to train others. I have subbed for her four times already, and have another four days scheduled through the end of January.

There are many benefits to subbing in the same classroom multiple times. I am beginning to know the students names and personalities, which helps with classroom management. The students also know me, which means that there is less disruption to their learning environment as well as a knowledge of what I deem acceptable behavior. Students always expect a free day or try to test the rules with a sub. Seeing the same sub multiple times ensures a smoother day for both myself and the students.

I was also given the opportunity to teach a few of my own lessons, as the teacher knows I am certified. Unfortunately, although I am certified in Language Arts (I wrote about having taken the L.A. GACE) I student taught in Social Studies and therefore have no prepared L.A. lessons and am less familiar with the curriculum as well as what they are studying at this time during the semester. Despite this, it was very thoughtful for the teacher to make this offer! I did let her know that I am very willing to teach a full lesson for her, especially if she could send it along in advance so that I could become familiar with it (rather than the less rigourous lessons usually left for subs).

Subbing repeatedly in the same classroom is ideal. You begin to know the students and they know you as well. The day runs smoother as the classroom rules become familiar and there is less disruption for the students.

Subbing

I have been subbing a little over a month now, due to the fact that teaching jobs are as plentiful as any other type of job right now. I am hoping to make some good connections which will help with my job search next year. Each day subbing is a little different which means that subbing is hardly ever boring. I have been subbing both middle and high school and enjoy both for different reasons.

Friday was an interesting day. I subbed for the first time in middle school Social Studies (7th grade, which was the grade I student taught last fall). Because they were learning a subject which I had taught before I felt that I had more to offer.

The highlight of my day, however, came when I covered one period of 6th grade L.A.. The school was short on subs and had a different sub for each period for that class. Following the lesson plan, I took up their homework and assigned a few pages of quick book work. The fun part came last. The class was reading The Hunger Games (which if you haven't read, you should!) and I got to read about two chapters aloud for them.

Read it!

I have never read aloud before and was a little nervous about how well I would do. A few of the students were following along in their own copy, but most were just listening as I read. They were near the end of the book, and the part which I read contained quite a few exciting events and plot twists. Many of the students were literally sitting on the edge of their seats, they would gasps at exciting parts, there were a few "oh no's!" at the plot twists, and excitement when the main character's prevailed. I must have done a decent job considering the reaction of the students. It was a lot of fun, getting that kind of reaction to students enjoying the class period.

Boring?

I am not sure whether it is the subject as U.S. History has never been my favorite class, or if there is another reason, but I am not finding teaching high school as interesting as teaching middle school.

I find myself questioning which I would rather teach. I hadn't even considered teaching middle school before I started the program, and now I have a lot to consider.

I also try to remind myself that although the subject matter seemed more interesting (less little details, and more overarching social themes) , the classroom management aspect took much more effort. I am also only a few weeks into this student teaching experience and I may start to enjoy it more before I am finished.

So, I have a lot to think about. I am still waiting to receive my score back for the Middle School Social Studies GACE test (I feel pretty good about it). I am glad I decided to take the test, so that I will have plenty of options when it is time to start applying to schools!