The best is when I can get my favorite retired teacher sub who can pick up my plans and teach. I try to plan ahead to get her. But, also life happens so I have a review sub tub for each quarter with all the important papers like attendance, student needs, etc. I also have a lesson for each subject that would be considered a review with all necessary books, copies, materials in one sub tub ready to go. The read aloud I choose has extra activities to go with it. For example, I used Snowman at Night and included a couple writing, phonics, and an art project that can be used with it. We never know when we will get sick or have a sick kid so this is how I plan. My next door teammate knows where it is and will pull it out for me. Tada!

I make sure to stick to our routine as much as possible. That includes having my assistant teach the class in my absence, so that the day flows as normally and as smoothly as possible. I do also add in more desirable tasks that we don’t always get to do, so if I can’t be there, my students can still have a special day!

I have also started asking our math and literacy coaches if they would like to come in and teach when I’m out. They use this time to try out new lessons or curriculum in a classroom and to give me feedback on how I can structure my day for maximum success. Sometimes it helps to be back in a classroom to try out things they are sharing with us in PD and when I’m out gives them the space and freedom to do that, with the added bonus of my students receiving a quality lesson while I’m out.

I also try to keep as normal of a routine as possible as far as scheduled times and curriculum to be covered. However, I try to make the accompanying activities things that the kids can do in small groups or individually when possible so that the sub can wander around and help as needed. This helps when a sub comes that isn’t comfortable with a grade level or subject. I also put myself in the mindset of “I will have to retract all of this when I return”. That way, I’m pleasantly surprised on days when a bunch of the material was covered in my absence, and less grumpy on days when all the sub seemed to accomplish was to keep the blood off my carpet!!!