sub plans creative writing

7 Fun Writing Sub Plans for Substitute Teachers

You might be a full-time classroom teacher who needs to take an unexpected day off and wants to keep their class busy and engaged in your absence.

In that case, you’ll need to devise straightforward yet stimulating activities for an off-the-cuff lesson plan.

 Or, perhaps you’re that hardy breed of wandering samurai known as the substitute teacher. Either way, it pays to have a couple of fun, preplanned lesson plans and writing tasks quick to hand in case of emergencies.

 Most battle-worn subs have a few rabbits they can pull from their magic hat immediately as and when the occasion calls for it. But it’s always good to mix things up a little and add a new trick or two to that trusty old bag of tricks.

 In this article, we’ll explore seven fun writing tasks that promise to keep a room full of unfamiliar students equal parts engaged and entertained.

Daily Quick Writes For All Text Types

Our FUN DAILY QUICK WRITE TASKS will teach your students the fundamentals of CREATIVE WRITING across all text types. Packed with 52 ENGAGING ACTIVITIES

  1. Pick and Mix

This activity requires a little preparation ahead of time. Still, your energy investment will be more than justified by the number of activities you can pull out of your hat instantly when needed.

To prepare for this activity, you’ll need to compile a list of well-known but seldom-used words. For example, while most 14-year-olds will know words such as missile , sorcerer , and miniature , they will most likely rarely use them in their writing.

The words you choose for your list will depend on the age of the students you’ll be teaching. As a sub, you might not always know what age group you’ll be teaching, so it’s worth preparing a few different lists for different age groups in advance. There are innumerable suitable word lists for each grade, a quick Google search away.

Once you have your word lists, type them and print them off. Cut out each word and place it in a small drawstring bag or similar container.

Then, when you need a spontaneous activity, pull out your bag and ask a student to pull out three words at random. The students must write a poem that incorporates the three chosen words.

There are many ways to adapt this central idea.

You can challenge the students to use their words to write a specific type of poem, e.g. sonnet, calligram, haiku, etc. Or, you might impose a time limit for the students to complete the task, e.g. 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.

Perhaps you can ask them to collaborate in small groups to produce a shared writing piece. You can also ask them to choose different numbers of words or write in other genres, such as a short story or a dialogue.

The number of variations on this activity is limited only by your imagination.

2. Mystery Meal Review

In this activity, students will be challenged to use language to conjure up a mirage of a meal in the minds of their readers.

First, ask the students to think about the best meal they have ever eaten. Tell them to close their eyes to engage their imagination better. Instruct them to think about what they ate during that meal. Ask a series of rhetorical questions to help trigger their memories and inspire their creativity.

•  What vegetables did they have?
• What type of meat was there?
• Was the food roasted? Fried? Boiled?
• Did they have sauces or seasonings?
• What was the texture of the food like in their mouths? Crunchy? Creamy? Melt in the mouth
• What colors were on their plate?
• How did the food smell?

Once they’ve had time to quietly reflect on the best meal they’ve ever eaten, it’s time to write about it. However, the twist in the tale here is that they cannot mention any of the food items they write about by name.

Instead, the students must describe the meal and its component items in such detail that the reader will be able to tell what they ate without the writer mentioning the food by name.

To make things a little easier, the students can use generic terms such as vegetable, meat, dessert, etc., but they must not use specific nouns such as chicken, carrots, gravy, etc.

This will challenge the student to use their powers of description to convey the details of their food to the reader. They’ll have to use sensory details appealing to the senses of sight, smell, taste, touch, and even sound.

When the students have finished writing their reviews of their best-ever meals, they can swap their descriptions with other classmates, who will then try to deduce the ingredients of their meal.

The winning writer will be the one with the most readers who correctly figure out the main elements of the writer’s meal.

3. Rewrite the Past

This activity is an excellent way to encourage the students to exercise their creativity while also instilling in the students the structure and features of recount writing .

To prepare for this activity, you’ll need to gather up a few old photographs to serve as visual stimuli for this writing activity. You can simply print these from the Internet. Alternatively, you can gather up a few props such as old postcards , an old-fashioned hat, a pair of spectacles, some old coins, etc.

Whatever the props used, students will employ them as a jumping-off point to kickstart their creativity as they write an imaginative first-person recount.

To revise the structure and features of a recount, check out our informative article here.

You can leave the background to their recount entirely up to the student and how they respond to the prompt. If you prefer, you can provide some context to the stimuli used, for example, in the form of some historical background or detail on who is in the photograph.

Either way, it will be incumbent upon the student to respond creatively to whatever prop you provide, all while considering the structural conventions and features of the recount text type.

If you wish to add a competitive element to the exercise, you might award a small prize for the most original, the funniest, etc.

4. Alternate Endings

Begin this writing activity by asking the students to name their favorite books or movies. Through a class vote, find the overall class favorite to base the activity on.

It doesn’t matter if some class members haven’t seen the movie (or read the book). You will start by retelling the story of the movie or book as a class. Pay particular attention to the ending. Make sure the class as a whole agrees on how the story comes to a climax and resolution.

Once this has been established, it’s time for students to kick their own pens into gear to write an alternative ending for the tale.

Encourage students to be as wacky and outlandish as possible. They can subvert the movie or book’s genre by tacking on a horror ending onto a comedy or vice versa, for example.

When students have completed their rewrite of the ending, encourage them to share their efforts with the class by reading their work out loud.

Which alternate ending did the class enjoy the most? Why?

5. Dialogue Reconstruction

Learning to write dialogue well is an effective way to breathe life into storytelling.

It takes practice and careful observation to develop the finely tuned ear required to write it well. This activity helps students to begin this process by carefully reconstructing a dialogue they overheard or participated in.

To get the ball rolling in this activity, first review the specifics of punctuating dialogue correctly. Do a little research to get up to speed if you are unsure about these rules. But, in brief, here are five of the most important of these rules:

•  Introduce dialogue with a comma, e.g. She said , “The hat makes your head look small.”
• Use a comma when a dialogue tag follows a quote, e.g. “The hat makes your head look small ,” she said.
• Place periods and commas within closing quotations, e.g. “ It’s the hat that’s big, not my head . ”
• Use single quotes when using quotes within dialogue, e.g. “My mother told me, ‘ Your head is a perfect size, darling. ’ ”
• Mark a change of speaker by starting a new paragraph, i.e. skipping a line. For example,

  “The hat makes your head look small, ” she said.

“ It’s the hat that’s big, not my head,” he replied.

Technicalities out of the way, now it’s time for the students to get reconstructing!

Ask the students to think of a conversation they’ve had today. It might have been a trivial conversation they had with a parent over breakfast or with a friend or sibling on the way to school. Maybe it was some small talk with a worker in a shop. It doesn’t matter.

The task here is for the student to reflect on the conversation and attempt to recreate it on paper with as much faithfulness as possible.

Remind the students that we don’t speak as we write. Our spoken language is filled with half-finished sentences, slang, and non-standard pronunciations. Encourage students to accurately convey the rhythms and sounds of the speech they heard and/or uttered themselves.

This may require the students to veer from the usual grammar and spelling rules to render the dialogue convincingly.

Also, encourage the students to read their words aloud as they write to listen for their authenticity.

When students have finished, have them share their work with the class.

6. Found in Translation

This is a poetry writing activity, but with a twist.

Bring in a copy of a poem that is in a language other than English to show the students. Another European language will work best for this activity, as it is helpful if the students can make some educated guesses at the meanings of some of the words.

The students’ task will be to ‘translate’ the poem from a language they don’t read into English. Just in case some students do speak the language, be sure to have an alternative poem in another language to hand, too.

When you give the students the poem, don’t provide them with any background about the poem’s meaning.

Instead, tell them that they are to translate the poem into English. They can mimic the lines, spacing, and shape of the poem on the page. They can examine the words and attempt to deduce or guess at their meanings. Simply, they must do their best to interpret the poem and render its meaning on the page.

When the students have finished, have them share their work with the class and compare the wildly different interpretations of the original poem.

You might well be surprised at how close some students will come to the original subject matter!

Year Long Inference Based Writing Activities

Tap into the power of imagery in your classroom to master INFERENCE as AUTHORS and CRITICAL THINKERS .

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (26 Reviews)

This YEAR-LONG 500+ PAGE unit is packed with robust opportunities for your students to develop the critical skill of inference through fun imagery, powerful thinking tools, and graphic organizers.

7. In Case of Emergency, Break Glass!

Writing prompts are the quickest, most straightforward way to get those pens moving and every sub worth their salt should have a few tried-and-tested prompts to hand at all times.

Here are five quick writing prompts guaranteed to get the ink flowing.

•  You have a crocodile as a pet. Write about what it’s like to keep a croc as a household pet.
• You are going to interview your favorite celebrity. What questions do you ask?
• You have been appointed President of the World . What are the first laws you would change and why?
• Close your eyes, open a book and point at the page. Now, open your eyes again. What is the first word you see? Write about this word for five minutes.
• Write about ten things you could do to improve your life. Write about ten things you could do to improve the life of the people around you.

The Final Bell

So, there we have seven engaging writing tasks that make perfect additions to any sub’s bag of tricks. Each activity is quick and easy, with only a few requiring anything more than a minute or two in preparation in the form of easy-to-find materials.

Not only are these the perfect go-tos for any harassed substitute, but they are also useful to have in reserve for regular class teachers too. The teaching day is full of lots of little transitions, and it is always helpful to have a few quick, off-the-cuff activities to fall back on in such situations.

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

17 Fun First Day Of School Writing Activities

10 fun writing activities for the reluctant writer

13 Fun Reading Activities for Any Book

10 Fun Classroom Writing Games to Improve Literacy Skills

5 Fun Seasonal Writing Activities Students and Teachers Love

Explore our Premium Collection of WRITING PROMPTS

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Teaching ELA with Joy

Middle School ELA Resources

My Best ELA Substitute Plans

By Joy Sexton 2 Comments

Sick days . . . they’re inevitable! Those days when you wake up and it hits you . . . I can’t go in!   There’s nothing worse than the stress and confusion of digging up lessons for the sub when you’re feeling awful. That’s why, for me, preparing for sick days in advance is a must. I LOVE the feeling of knowing I have “stand alone” ELA substitute plans all set to go when the need arises. Here are some ways I prepare for sub days ahead of time so I can jump back into bed without a worry:

1.   Locate some short stories that aren’t from units 

Over the summer, I always take home a few different literature anthologies on my grade level. I look for short stories, dramas, and memoirs that I know I won’t teach in my units during the year. I think of these as my “emergency” stories. If you check your school’s book room, you can usually find outdated anthologies (or samples from other publishers that your school didn’t end up purchasing) that contain good pieces.

I look for stories that aren’t too long—ones that could be read in about 20-25 minutes at the most. Then I do a Google search of the titles I like. I check to see if there might be a “full text” version I can print from the Internet. That makes it easy to make a class set of copies to use . Otherwise, I just mark the books with sticky notes, and put the stories in for copies at school.  Another source I use, mostly for good short dramas, is Scholastic Scope . Every issue features a great read-aloud play that students enjoy. Our English department purchases class sets of Scope , but you can check their site for teachers online–it’s awesome! I try to get maybe six different stories, dramas, and/or memoirs made into class sets for the start of the year.

2.   Use writing activities that work with ANY text

Here’s the part that I love because it’s become so easy for me. I have a variety of resources I copy that can be paired with ANY text and are perfect to leave for ELA substitute plans! The students get to read an engaging story, and then they complete a response activity based on the story.   Substitute Writing Activities for ANY Literature   is one of my go-to resources for a sub plan. There are  six different writing assignments , each with a detailed pre-writing graphic organizer which draws students back into the story searching for relevant details. I print and copy all six assignments and have them available in folders. You can give students a choice of assignments, or pair up the one that works best with a particular text. If we’re currently in a literature unit, then I  can go ahead and use a text I’d planned to include anyway! But if we’re doing something different, I use one of the “emergency” story class sets I made in advance.

Here’s an example of the Newspaper Article Writing Assignment that I pair with “The Scholarship Jacket.”

The other after-reading assignments included in this resource that provide for successful ELA substitute plans are . . . A Letter of Advice to a Character, How a Character Changes, Extending the Ending, A Character’s Journal Page, and Tracking a Main Conflict.

Another activity that is a big hit as an ELA substitute lesson is pairing up a story with a MINI-BOOK for Literature Response assignment! A mini-book is a fun format and students enjoy creating them. They read the story and are then given the mini-book handout. It contains seven different standards-aligned topics on mini-sides plus a cover side that requires artwork. Actually, I love to leave this lesson plan when I know I will be out for two days!! It definitely takes students an additional class period to complete.  There is a directions handout for students to guide them step-by-step as they work on each page of the mini-book. Pictorial directions that can be projected show how to fold the mini-book. Students can partner up and have literature-based discussions as they work through the sections. And these mini-books are so easy to grade when you get back to school. Just use the quick grading sheet that’s provided!

3.  Leave a door sign:  Independent Reading Today–Bring Your Novel

Sometimes I have the opportunity to just keep my regular lesson plan moving forward. If that’s the case, Independent Reading  can sure come in handy to “flesh out” a substitute plan! In other words, students can continue on an assignment we have been working on for part of the lesson. If it’s not a day when I have Book Club planned (that’s what we call our reading workshop time), I change things up and have the substitute teacher make it a Book Club day. That way students can begin with 20 minutes of reading. They are already used to that routine. Then they go on continuing their assignment from the last class. In this case, it helps to have a “Book Club Today” sign ready to hang in the doorway so students know to bring their novels.

Here’s an example of how that may look. Let’s say we’ve been working on a graphic organizer for an essay and have just started drafting. I simply type up a quick plan such as:

• Book Club first 20-25 minutes . Please hang sign in doorway. (See sub folder for Book Club expectations)
• Students will finish writing their rough drafts for the essay we have been working on. They will also edit with a red pen (35 minutes). All work, including assignment directions, is in their English binders.

That’s It! My lesson plan is done! Besides leaving the sign, I  keep a description of the Reading Workshop (that I’ve typed up in advance)  in my sub folder. That way the sub knows all the expectations during this important use of instructional time. Of course, this plan only works if you have already established a strong independent reading routine with your students and you know they do come regularly with their novels and read. If you’ like to learn more on this, click to read my post about setting up a  Middle School Reading Workshop .

I’ve enjoyed sharing my ideas for ELA substitute plans through this awesome Secondary Smorgasbord blog hop. Many thanks to hosts Darlene Anne and Pamela Kranz for the idea! 

Join the Newsletter

Reader Interactions

May 10, 2017 at 1:43 am

Thank you so much! I am actually finishing a National Board Component and have to take 1 to 2 nonconsecutive days off to do so. With so few weeks left, I really wanted to keep them involved with novel we are currently reading- but I can also use this for other short stories that I usually use as plans! A true life saver.

May 13, 2020 at 3:04 pm

Joy, I just found out that I will be teaching 7th grade ELA for the fall. This is will be my first year as a teacher and reading through your blog has given me so many great ideas! Thank you for providing your resources and wisdom from your classroom experience. You have a new subscriber!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Take back your planning time with engaging, no-prep resources!

Creating the Ultimate Sub Plan

By  MARISSA DESPINS  Updated April 09, 2024

What are Sub Plans?

Sub plans are an essential part of effective planning, ensuring that instruction continues smoothly even when the regular classroom teacher is absent. These well-prepared plans serve guide guest teachers in delivering the curriculum and maintaining order in the classroom. By recognizing the importance of sub plans, educators can minimize disruptions to student learning and ensure a seamless transition in the absence of the regular teacher.

In this post, we will explore the significance of sub plans and how they contribute to maintaining a productive and cohesive learning environment.

On the hunt for some no-prep sub plans that you can print and leave with your sub? Click on the button below to see all of the emergency sub plans available in my TPT shop!

Why are Sub Plans Important?

Students thrive on routine and structure, and any unexpected disruption can have a significant impact on their learning and behavior. Having emergency sub plans prepared and readily available ensures that a substitute teacher can step in seamlessly, providing a sense of consistency and normalcy for the students.

Maintaining consistency in instruction is crucial for effective teaching and learning. However, there are instances when a teacher is unable to be present in the classroom due to unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, having a well-thought-out substitute (sub) plan becomes essential. A sub-plan provides detailed instructions and resources for substitute teachers to ensure that instructional continuity is maintained in the teacher’s absence. By providing clear expectations, quality resources, and a structured framework, a sub plan not only supports substitute teachers but also helps students remain engaged and on track with their learning goals. It allows for seamless transitions, reduces disruptions, and enhances the overall learning experience.

Providing Guidance to Your Substitute Teacher

Substitute teachers play a crucial role in maintaining continuity in the classroom when the regular teacher is unable to be present. Sub plans are designed to provide clear instructions for the substitute teacher to follow. These plans outline essential details such as the daily schedule, classroom procedures, and specific instructions for each subject. By providing clear and explicit instructions, sub plans serve as a guide for substitute teachers to effectively manage the class and ensure that students remain engaged in their learning. This not only helps to minimize disruptions but also ensures that students continue to progress in their academic journey even in the absence of their regular teacher.

To ensure that emergency plans can be easily accessed and used by substitute teachers, they should be included in a dedicated sub binder or folder. This allows substitutes to quickly familiarize themselves with the class, the curriculum, and the expectations. The plans should consist of simple yet valuable lessons that can be taught at any point in the year, ensuring that students continue to learn and progress, regardless of when the absence takes place.

Substitute plans are an essential part of any teacher’s toolkit. Whether it’s due to illness, personal days, or professional development, teachers need to have a plan in place to ensure that their students continue to learn in their absence. Sub plans typically consist of various components, including a detailed schedule, instructional materials, and emergency procedures.

Overview And Objectives

This section of your sub plan gives you the opportunity to introduce yourself to the substitute teacher and your students. You should start this section with a brief explanation of your classroom and provide some context for the learning activities included in your sub plans. You should clearly articulate your learning objectives and specify what the students should know by the end of the class.  By being forward with this information your sub has the best chance of successfully delivering your lesson. 

Daily Schedule

Your sub plan should include an explanation of your daily schedule, which should include both administrative breaks as well as items unique to your classroom. Maintaining the timing and sequence of activities will help maintain the sense of routine that helps students adapt to changing teachers.

Start and End Times : Clearly state the start and end times of the school day, including when the substitute should arrive to prepare and when they can expect the day to conclude.

• Period Breakdown : List the times for each subject or class period, including the duration and any transitions between different rooms or activities.
• Breaks and Lunch : Specify the times for breaks, recess, and lunch, and any duties the substitute may have during these times, such as supervising students in the cafeteria or on the playground.
• Special Activities : Note any special activities that occur on that day, such as assemblies, field trips, special projects, or guest speakers, including the time and location for each event.
• Planning and Prep Time : Indicate any periods allocated for planning, preparation, or professional development, ensuring the substitute knows when these times are and how they can be used effectively.
• After-School Responsibilities : Outline any responsibilities after students are dismissed, such as meetings, student clubs, or sports coaching, if applicable to the substitute’s role.

Provide Detailed Lesson Plans

Creating lesson plans for a substitute teacher requires careful consideration of simplicity and the sub’s expertise. It is crucial to keep the plans easy to understand, as the substitute may have no prior knowledge about the class or its curriculum. By ensuring simplicity, the sub can easily follow the plans and effectively engage the students.

Materials and Resources

Ensure that you provide a comprehensive list of the materials and resources required for the lessons you wish to be taught. Remember, not everyone knows where to find the markers!  This list should textbooks, workbooks, handouts, writing materials (like pens, pencils, markers, and chalk), and any technological devices or software that will be used, such as laptops, tablets, projectors, or specific educational apps and websites. You should also discuss how the different materials should be used in the lesson to ensure your substitute can integrate them into your lesson plans correctly.  Be sure to include any access information like passwords or login credentials should they be required. This thorough preparation allows the substitute to focus on teaching rather than gathering materials, facilitating a more effective and engaging learning experience for the students.

Emergency Procedures

Emergency procedures are an essential component of your sub plans. This section should include an outline of the various emergency procedures to be followed during different crisis situations. The procedures should cover fire drills, lockdowns, evacuations, tornado drills, and any other emergency and safety information that is relevant to the specific organization.

Fire drills should be a key component of the emergency procedures. They should outline the steps to be followed in the event of a fire, including the location of fire exits, the designated meeting point, and any specific actions to take to ensure the safety of all individuals.

Lockdown procedures are essential for situations where there is an immediate threat within the organization. These procedures should provide instructions on how to secure the premises, safeguard individuals, and communicate with law enforcement if necessary.

Evacuation procedures are vital for circumstances where leaving the premises is the safest option. They should include clear directions on how to safely evacuate the building, the assembly point, and any responsibilities assigned to designated evacuation coordinators to ensure everyone is accounted for.

Tornado drills should also be included, especially in regions prone to such severe weather conditions. These procedures should provide guidance on how to seek shelter and protect individuals from potential harm caused by tornadoes or other severe storms.

In short, this is your chance to prepare your substitute for the unthinkable.  Make sure they are prepared. 

Classroom Management Tips

Beyond preparing your substitute for your lessons, you should also arm them with the knowledge needed to succeed in interacting with your students.  You should be sure to include the classroom rules and procedures, such as how students are expected to behave, rules for speaking or asking for help etc.  

Given your experience, you may have also developed unique strategies that are effective with your students. Consider this and describe any positive reinforcement techniques, quiet signals,  or even a points system if you have one.  You can also explain how to deal with any common behavioral issues like off-task behavior, and roughhousing, and provide guidance on how to escalate serious problems to the administration. 

Looking for more classroom management tips? Check out these 20 tips for new teachers!

Student Information

In this section, it is important to provide a detailed profile of the class to help the substitute teacher effectively manage and engage your students. You should include information in the total number of students or any seating plans you may have.  Be sure to highlight any students with special educational needs or those in any additional learning assistance programs that may see them removed from the class.  You may also provide a brief description of individual learning styles. Additionally, you may provide some insights into the general feel of the class, like the overall behavior patterns, groupings that work well together, and any interpersonal issues that may affect classroom harmony. Inform the substitute of key student leaders or those who may need extra attention or support.

Assessment and Feedback

In this section of your sub plan, you should outline the different methods that the substitute teacher should use to evaluate student understanding and engagement throughout the lesson. This may be less critical for single-day subs, but should you be away for several days or more this type of information is very helpful in maintaining a sense of continuity for your students.  This part of the plan may include 

• Types of Assessment : Describe the various assessment methods to be used, such as quizzes, written assignments, class participation, or practical demonstrations. Specify any particular questions or tasks that should be given to gauge student understanding.
• Criteria for Success : Clearly define what constitutes successful completion of the lesson’s objectives. This might include the accuracy of answers, the level of participation, or the demonstration of specific skills and knowledge.
• Feedback Mechanisms : Provide guidance on how the substitute should give feedback to students. This could involve verbal feedback during class activities, written comments on assignments, or group discussions reflecting on the learning outcomes.
• Documentation and Reporting : Explain how the substitute should record student progress and any incidents or notable achievements during the lesson. Include where to find attendance sheets, grading rubrics, and how to communicate any concerns or observations to the regular teacher.

Wrapping It Up 

Sub plans are crucial documents prepared by teachers to guide substitute teachers during their absence, ensuring that the instructional process continues seamlessly. These plans are vital for maintaining a consistent learning environment, especially for younger students who rely heavily on routine. Sub plans typically include detailed schedules, lesson instructions, materials needed, classroom management strategies, student information, assessment methods, and emergency procedures. By providing these comprehensive guidelines, sub plans help substitute teachers effectively manage the class, engage students in meaningful learning activities, and handle any situations that may arise, thereby minimizing disruptions and supporting ongoing educational progress.

Interested in reading more about preparing for a sub? Check out these 9 tips for substitute teachers!

Looking for some ready to go sub plans?

Are you on the hunt for some no-prep sub plans that you can print out and leave for your sub? Click on the image or button below to see all of the sub plans available in my TPT shop!

Interested in Signing up for my Email List?

If you are interested in signing up for my  email list , you can do so by clicking on the link below. I periodically send out emails with free resources, teaching tips, and exclusive deals. Signing up will also give you immediate access to some of my best selling Interactive Notebook resources – foldable projects, graphic organizers, and other fun activities.

Similar Posts

Halloween Math Worksheets

By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Oct 10, 2023 Halloween math worksheets For elementary As an elementary teacher, I’ve always believed in the power of engaging and fun activities to keep my students excited…

The Orange Shirt Day Story

By MARISSA DESPINS Updated July 25, 2024 The Orange Shirt Day Story revolves around Phyllis Webstad, a member of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation in Canada. Phyllis’s experience as a young Indigenous…

Because of Winn Dixie Novel Study Ideas

By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Sept 19, 2023 Kate DiCamillo’s novel, “Because of Winn-Dixie,” is a heartwarming story about the power of friendship and seeing beyond appearances. This beautiful tale explores themes of…

Introduction to Story Studio

By MARISSA DESPINS Updated April 09, 2024 In today’s post, I want to shine a spotlight on a teaching strategy that truly fuels my passion – Story Studio. This dynamic literacy framework…

What is a novel study?

By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Sept 19, 2023 What is a novel study? As a middle school or upper elementary teacher, you already know that teaching students to read is so much more…

The One and Only Ivan read Alouds

By MARISSA DESPINS Updated May 17, 2024 IVAN Read Alouds To Add To Your Novel Study “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate is a compelling story told from the perspective…

Bell Ringers

Easy sub plans for your ela classroom.

There is nothing worse than waking up for a day of work…only to discover your not feeling well. As teachers, it means scrambling last minute for that dreaded thing: sub plans. If you just groaned at the thought – same . Whether you have a planned day off coming or want to be prepared for emergencies, having easy sub plans ready at a moment’s notice is a life-saver.

Let’s be honest, the last thing you want to do after a night of restless sleep and belly aches is put together sub plans. Let’s talk about how you can prepare for subs and prep easy sub plans in advance for maximum convenience. 

Preparing for a Substitute

Having a sub folder or binder will save you a huge headache. This is where you store all the important info your sub would need to know about the day and your class. Obviously you can’t go into all the details, so stick to the important, essential items. 

I recommend keeping copies of your class schedule, important numbers (like the nurse or front office), a classroom management plan, student allergies or medical concerns, any emergency plans, and which of your colleagues they can go to if they have a question.

If you want to simplify this prep, and more sure you don’t miss any key information, check out my no-prep editable sub plan resource ! I include templates for important information, including emergency drill info, class schedule template, sub plan outlines, and more.

Easy Sub Plan Ideas

Alright, here comes the fun part: making the plans! I know, I know. Probably not actually that fun, but this is where the effort upfront saves yourself stress later. Here are a few ideas to prep for sub plans.

#1 Independent Reading Day

Independent reading is such an overlooked idea for a sub day. It’s simple for a sub to manage, and we all know finding time to incorporate free reading into class is challenging. Why not make use of this time with a sub?

Give students time to read independently and check out books from your classroom library. You could even have them write a review of a recent book they read. These are fun to post around your classroom library to give other students ideas of a book they might like. 

For the sub, make sure you leave instructions about how students can check-out books, where they can get the book review templates, and generally how students should be using this time.

#2 Close Reading Activity

A close reading activity that is simple for a sub to manage. Plus, it’s also quick and easy for your colleague to print off for your class in the case of an emergency. Close reading activities are great because they allow students to practice and review essential reading skills and further their knowledge of a topic.

Because I’m all about working smarter, not harder – I wanted to share the close reading assignment I often leave behind for my students. I have Al Capone and Anne Frank close reading passages, great for 6th-8th grade.

Each close reading passage is enough for a day of lesson plans (possibly two, if you have shorter class periods or your students need extra time). These passages are engaging, and the text-dependent questions included are intended to challenge students while still allowing them to work independently. 

Plus, this close reading resource is intended to be easy sub plans, so I’ve made everything print-and-go, and even included the lesson plan notes for a sub to follow.

#3 Pixar Activity

This idea is dependent on your access to technology in the classroom. If your students have access to 1:1 technology, you can upload Pixar videos and then have students answer related questions. Pixar videos are a great way to practice plot, characterization, make inferences, draw conclusions, make connections, and more.

This can be an easy sub plan because you just need to create a Google Form. Upload the videos and questions there. The best part is that this can all be done from home if you’re out unexpectedly! Students love watching videos, so this assignment will have them hooked.

#4 Review Vocabulary

Another technology-based suggestion is using online games to review vocabulary. We all know that vocabulary is a critical piece of student learning and reviewing vocabulary is never time wasted. 

This is an easy sub plan because you can make this game once – and reuse it again and again (with or without a sub!). Plus, a lot of times you can find premade games. Some websites I like to use are Blooket, Gimkit, Kahoot, or Knoword. 

Just be sure to set the websites to “independent mode” to allow students to practice without the help of a teacher or a classmate. This will keep students on task and engaged in their learning. Games can also help you avoid that feeling of overwhelm when you return from an absence. There won’t be piles of papers for you to grade or sort – just check the stats on the game platform.

#5 Creative Writing Activity

Tapping into your students’ creative writing is a fun way to keep them engaged. Students can complete a creative writing assignment “guessing” where their teacher is for the day, which is bound to make you laugh a few times when you return – because seriously, middle schoolers come up with some crazy stuff. They don’t need to know you’re at a dentist appointment getting a cavity filled…they’ll imagine you’re at an amusement park or flying to space with a billionaire. 

This activity gets students’ creativity flowing, and it’s a low pressure assignment – even your struggling writers can come up with a ridiculous, fun story. The great part, too, is that you can use this prompt more than once throughout the year! My only warning is to make sure you set the expectation that these are school appropriate stories.

Want Ready-to-go Middle School ELA easy sub plans?

It’s time to leave behind the sub planning stress and chaos. If you want to make your days off a breeze and engaging for your students, grab the Middle School ELA Editable Sub Plans with Close Reading Passages . 

This resource makes for super easy grab-and-go emergency sub plans or to help you prep ahead of time for a day off. It includes sub information templates, substitute lesson plans, and two close reading passages: Al Capone and Anne Frank. You’ll thank me later 😉

• Read more about: Middle School ELA Planning , Organization

You might also like...

11 Best PD Books for English Teachers

How to Organize Your Classroom Library

How to Get Books for Your Classroom Library

Get your free middle school ela pacing guides with completed scopes and sequences for the school year..

My ELA scope and sequence guides break down every single middle school ELA standard and concept for reading, writing, and language in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Use the guides and resources exactly as is or as inspiration for you own!

Meet Martina

I’m a Middle School ELA teacher committed to helping you improve your teaching & implement systems that help you get everything done during the school day!

Let's Connect

Member login.

PRIVACY POLICY 

 TERMS OF USE

WEBSITE DISCLAIMERS

MEMBERSHIP AGREEEMENT

© The Hungry Teacher • Website by KristenDoyle.co • Contact Martina

busybee   teachers

...we'll be there in a buzz

• Oct 24, 2023

100+ Substitute Teacher Lesson Plans for All Grades and Subjects

Substitute teachers play a vital role in the education system, ensuring that students continue to learn even when their regular teacher is absent. However, it can be challenging to find substitute teachers who are qualified and experienced in teaching all grades and subjects.

To help substitute teachers be successful, there are a number of lesson plans and resources available online and in libraries. These lesson plans are designed to be easy to follow and engaging for students of all ages and abilities.

In this article, we will provide a list of over 100 substitute teacher lesson plans for all grades and subjects. These lesson plans are organized by subject area and grade level, making it easy to find the perfect lesson for your class.

English Language Arts

Elementary School

Read and discuss a picture book or chapter book

Write a letter to a friend or family member

Create a poem or short story

Play a word game or spelling bee

Middle School

Analyze a poem or short story

Write an essay or research paper

Create a presentation on a given topic

Participate in a debate or discussion

High School

Read and analyze a novel or play

Write a literary analysis essay

Conduct research on a topic related to English literature

Participate in a creative writing project

Practice basic math skills, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division

Solve math problems using real-world examples

Play a math game or activities.

Learn about algebra, geometry, or trigonometry concepts

Solve math problems using equations and formulas

Create a math presentation or

Learn about calculus or statistics concepts

Solve complex math problems

Conduct research on a math topic

Learn about different science topics, such as the solar system, the human body, or the animal kingdom

Conduct science experiments

Watch educational science videos or documentaries

Learn about more complex science topics, such as biology, chemistry, or physics

Conduct science projects

Read and discuss science articles

Learn about advanced science topics, such as AP Biology or AP Chemistry

Conduct research on a science topic

Create a science presentation or project

Social Studies

Learn about different cultures and countries

Study historical events and figures

Participate in social studies simulations or activities

Learn about different government systems and economic concepts

Study current events

Participate in social studies presentations and projects

Learn about advanced social studies topics, such as AP US History or AP World History

Conduct research on a social studies topic

Create a social studies presentation or project

Other Subjects

Draw, paint, or sculpt

Create a collage or other art project

Visit a museum or art gallery

Play instruments

Learn about different music genres and composers

Physical Education

Play sports or games

Participate in physical fitness activities

Learn about the importance of physical activity and nutrition

In addition to the lesson plans listed above, there are a number of other resources available for substitute teachers.

These resources include:

Teacher websites and blogs:  Many teachers have websites and blogs where they share lesson plans, activities, and other resources.

Online lesson plan libraries:  There are a number of online lesson plan libraries that offer a variety of lesson plans for all grades and subjects.

Professional development workshops:  Many schools and districts offer professional development workshops for substitute teachers. These workshops can provide substitute teachers with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the classroom.

Substitute teachers play an important role in the education system. By using the lesson plans and resources available to them, substitute teachers can ensure that students continue to learn even when their regular teacher is absent.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @busybee.teachers or Twitter @busybeeteachers

Recent Posts

Celebrating the Season: Sub Plans with a Fall Theme

No-Prep Wonders: The Ultimate Guide to Easy Sub Plans

Escape Room Math: A Fun and Challenging Substitute Teacher Activity

Join the Busybee Club

SSubscribe to our newsletter and be the first to know about the latest job opportunities and essential hiring tips. 

Thanks for submitting!

• ELEMENTARY TEACHING , PLANNING ASSESSING AND TEACHING

How to Write Sub Plans for When a Substitute Teacher Covers Your Classroom – 2024

I once subbed in a classroom where the substitute teacher plans consisted of a handwritten piece of paper that listed the time and a subject (i.e. 8:30-9:30 math, 9:30-10:00 writing). Needless to say, it was less than helpful and inspired me to write very detailed sub plans. You never want to leave your sub and students in this position! Read below to get tips and ideas for how to write substitute teacher plans for your elementary classroom and be sure to download the free guide for how to plan for a substitute teacher !

3 Steps for How to Write Substitute Teacher Plans

Here are 3 steps for writing sub plans:

Step 1: Create a Substitute Plan Template

You can either create your own substitute plan template or download mine, which is part of my emergency sub plans .

• Open a word processing program on your computer.
• Use the table tool to make severals rows (you can add as many as you need) and four columns.
• Label the columns as: Time, Subject, Details and Notes.

Step 2: Fill out your Template for the Longest Day in Your Schedule

Start with your longest day… You know the one you dread because you have little or no prep and don’t have a second to breathe (or pee) because you are with the children from the moment they arrive until their sweet little selves board the bus to go home. Yes, that one.

• Save the document on your computer as “Sub Plans for a (insert the day of the week).”
• Fill in the time column. Write the time an event, activity, lesson, or transition occurs.
• Fill in the subject column. Simply label what happens at this time (morning announcements, math, etc.).
• Write in the details column. Describe what will occur in depth.
• Fill in the notes column. Use the last column to include any additional information that will be helpful. If they are going to a specialist write how to get there from your classroom. Write a mini-script so the students know the sub knows how you do things. Use the same language you would use and state the expectations. For example, “It is time to transition to music class. The expectation is that you put away your math materials and line up in your assigned place. When everyone has worked as a team to turn in the manipulatives and assignment, cleared off their desks, pushed in the chairs and lined up, we will walk to the music room.”
• Continue to do this for the remainder of the subjects and activities for that day.

Step 3: Fill out your Template for the Other Days in Your Schedule

The final step is to fill out the template for the other days.

• Once you have completed writing the detailed substitute lesson plans for your longest day, you can use it to create plans for the other days.
• Begin by opening the document and saving a copy with a new name for another day of the week.
• Edit the document by adding, removing or shifting things around to customize the plans for that day.
• Repeat the process for all five school days.

3 Quick Tips for Writing Sub Plans

Here are 3 tips for writing sub plans:

• If your school has any regularly scheduled things (like early dismissal on the first Monday of the month), you may want to consider also creating a document for those days.
• Be sure to focus heavily on transitions when writing the substitute teacher lesson plans. Those are the times when the students tend to get off task and behavior situations arise. Being proactive will minimize potential issues.
• I found it helpful to write my plans in semi-real time. By that I mean I set up the template in the morning and filled it in during the day as time allowed while the kids were eating snack, doing self-selected reading, at lunch, etc. Not only did it make the task manageable, but it allowed me to be very thorough in composing my plans.

5 Things Not To Do When You Have a Sub

Here are 5 things to avoid when planning for a substitute teacher :

• Don’t instruct them to introduce a new topic.
• Avoid having them facilitate a complicated craft.
• Don’t expect them to know how to use the technology in your classroom.
• Avoid asking them to make copies for you.
• Don’t expect them to execute your sub plans perfectly.

In closing, we hope you found these post about how to write sub plans helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these other sub plans posts, this free Clutter-Free Classroom’s Guide to Preparing for a Substitute Teacher , and our emergency sub plans .

You might also like...

15 Tips for Teaching While Pregnant and Planning for Maternity Leave

Substitute Teacher Tips for How to be a Highly-Requested Sub in 2024

Substitute Teacher Activities Without Photocopies or Technology – 2024

Join the email club.

• CLUTTER-FREE TEACHER CLUB
• FACEBOOK GROUPS
• EMAIL COMMUNITY
• OUR TEACHER STORE
• ALL-ACCESS MEMBERSHIPS
• OUR TPT SHOP
• JODI & COMPANY
• TERMS OF USE
• Privacy Policy

• Most Recent
• Free Silly Handwriting
• Easy Sub Plans Template
• Sprinkle Topped Shop
• My TpT Shop
• Amazon Favorites
• Free Video Series

The Sprinkle Topped Teacher

Sub Plans Template in 3 Easy Steps

It’s 3am. You wake up with a 102 fever and it hits you. You are going to have to write sub plans and have no template prepped. Ugh.

I used to have that “I think I can make it through the day” attitude until I finally realized, I only end up even more sick and probably pass that nasty bug to everyone else.

The more years I taught, the more I realized the importance of having a solid sub plans template prepped and ready to go so that when I did get sick, I can quickly finish my plans in 20 minutes and get back to bed.

Just to clarify, you read that correctly. I figured out how to write solid sub plans in 20 minutes with these 3 easy steps.

1. Create a sub plans template today!

I noticed that when I was writing my sub plans, I would constantly rewrite the same routines and that took up MORE TIME.

I decided the easiest way to save the headache, is to write out a template that included important information, our class list, and most importantly our typical schedule for the day… including all of our routines. The only thing I don’t include in the template, are the exact activities for reading, writing, math, etc.

Having the sub plans template outline completed, means that when you wake up in the middle of the night with a stomach bug, you only need to fill in the specific lesson activities you are working on the next day. Within 20 minutes, I am usually back in bed and resting!

2. Prep your sub plans template in Google Drive!

I started adding my sub plans templates to Google Drive because it makes prepping sub plans so much easier!

For one, they can be accessed on any device with internet. Your home computer, your work computer, your phone, your tablet! No more frustration because you left your work laptop at school, which has your sub plans!

This saved me a couple years back when I all of a sudden ended up in the hospital needing my appendix out. All I had with me was my phone, and I was able to quickly edit the sub plans from my hospital bed!

You just never know where you’ll need to write plans from!

The other benefit is that you can send them to a teammate with one click! Just press the share button and they will be sent to a teacher friend who is nice enough to print them out and lay them on your desk for you! You don’t need to worry about writing up plans in Word and then attaching files and the files not sending correctly!

Note: Prepping a template does take time, but that investment is SO worth it! This is the one I use!

If you don’t have a Google account, it’s easy and free! Here’s a quick tutorial to get one set up!

3. Create a sub plans template for each day of the week!

One of the problems I ran into with my original template, was that our schedule changed a lot depending on the day of the week because of our different specials times.

To solve that problem, I copy and paste the template I create for each day of the week. One is titled Monday Schedule, Tuesday Schedule, and so on.

Tip: Use the copy paste feature so that you save more time

I adjust each document to match that day’s schedule, so that it’s even easier to edit in an emergency!

For any unusual changes like assemblies or fire drills, I just add those in at the top with a star next to it.

Here’s an example of the sub plans template I use!

Bonus Tip: Save all activities you don’t get to in class!

I started adding anything we didn’t get to during the week in a cubby labeled Sub Bin. I added a few coloring pages for emergencies as well as some Number Searches (read more and download a number search freebie here) .

Then if a sub finishes the plans I left, they can pull any activity and it will be a review for the class. It’s also great in case of a serious emergency where you had nothing copied ahead of time. Your teammate could just pull activities and write them in the empty spots of your lesson plan!

Here’s what other teachers are saying about The 20 Minute Sub Plans Template:

Conclusion:

Waking up sick in the middle of the night is stressful and exhausting as it is, you don’t need to then worry about how you’ll write sub plans for the next 2 hours with a 102 fever.

I highly recommend you save yourself the headache, and fill out a sub plans template ASAP. If you want to save some extra time and use the sub plans template that I showed, you can grab a copy here !

The time and effort you put in up front, will save you so much stress down the road!

How long does it usually take you to write sub plans? Have you tried prepping a template ahead of time?

Share this:

You may also like, hot chocolate marshmallow science experiment, tips for writing substitute teacher plans, spider research project: classroom room transformation, fun handwriting worksheets for older kids, low-prep, easy st. patrick’s day activity.

Filter Results

• clear all filters

Resource Type

• Guided Lessons
• Lesson Plans 
• Hands-on Activities
• Interactive Stories
• Online Exercises
• Printable Workbooks
• Science Projects
• Song Videos

middle-school

• English Learner (EL) 
• Fine arts 
• Math 
• Reading 
• Writing Process 
• Writing Organization and Structure 
• Creative Writing 
• Nonfiction Writing 
• Research Strategies 
• Grammar 
• Science 
• Social emotional 
• Social studies 
• Typing 
• Common Core 

Creative Writing Lesson Plans

Trending Post : Easy Fixes for Behavior Challenges

Emergency Sub Plans: Print & go plans to save you time

Preparing for a substitute is stressful and time-consuming. I’ve worked hard to simplify and streamline the process of writing emergency sub plans . As I mentioned in my 30-minute sub plans post , these days I can complete my plans much more quickly…that includes all the printing, copying, and prep work.

What’s included in the Emergency Sub Plans?

These engaging substitute lessons for elementary students are print-and-go and are available for 1st-5th grades. The emergency sub plans are available monthly and follow a predictable sub plans template, making them quick and easy to prep for sub tubs or your substitute binder .

These printable sub plans for elementary classrooms are perfect for any substitute teacher – from novice to expert. Each month’s pack includes:

• Step-by-step lesson plans for a full day of instruction
• Links to videos, digital read alouds, and supplemental supports
• Activities and printables coordinating with each lesson
• Tips for theme-based learning activities across the curriculum
• Access to a fillable free sub binder template for those just getting organized for the school year

Here’s what you get with Printable Sub Plans for Elementary Classrooms

Each of these monthly sets of emergency sub plans includes enough activities and worksheets for a 1-2 day absence. This makes them ideal for sick days or when you are out for professional development.

Here’s a bit more about each part:

Engaging Substitute Lessons for Elementary Students

For most teachers, these are the biggest time saver and make the bundle worth it’s weight in gold.

Let’s be honest — It isn’t finding the activities for your sub to do with your students that takes so long. It is the process of writing everything out in clear, easy-to-understand language so that someone else can teach using your emergency sub plans. This is especially true when you aren’t sure WHO that substitute teacher will be.

Since I know this can be time-consuming, I’ve done the hard part for you!

Each lesson plan is written in a simple step-by-step format that is clearly numbered and easily implemented, even for an inexperienced substitute teacher.

The goal is to make the lessons approachable. Even first-time subs report that these lesson plans make the day flow more smoothly.

To simplify things, each printable sub plan is provided in a cut-and-paste format.  This means you can put sections word-for-word into your template, saving you time.

Add important notes directly related to your learners, and you’re all set!

More Teacher Tools for your Sub Folder or Binder

In addition to the lesson plans, each month’s plans include all the related printables and answer keys for the activities.

Grab my free sub-binder templates if you’re just starting out and still need things like a class list or transportation information to provide your guest teacher.

These free, fillable templates cover all administrative-type paperwork you need for a sub beyond the lesson plans and worksheets.

Reading Lesson Plans for the Guest Teacher

The emergency sub plans for reading include a read-aloud with companion comprehension activities. Each month’s book is carefully selected to align with a holiday or seasonal theme, and a digital read-aloud link is included in the directions.

This makes it easy for a team member to set up in case you are unexpectedly absent or the book is unavailable in your school library.

To keep students engaged and meet the needs of diverse learners, the comprehension activity in these printable sub plans for elementary classrooms is a story-based foldable or flipbook.

These focus on the elements of fiction related to the story. For younger learners, the comprehension activities target three skills related to the text:

• Identify and describe characters or setting.
• Retell the big events in the plot.
• Review & recommend to synthesize and connect.

When you get to the lesson plans for 2nd-4th graders, students complete five short responses related to the text. As you read through these, you’ll notice they just expand on the skills expected in first grade but still align with the comprehension expected at grade level.

In these lesson plans, students are asked to:

• record the main characters and identify their traits
• identify and describe (or sketch) the setting
• identify problem and solution
• write a 3-sentence summary of the story
• rate & recommend

Writing Lesson Plans for Your Substitute

To keep things simple, the writing sub plans in each set of printable sub plans for elementary classrooms coordinate with the day’s reading. I’ve found this helps keep the day flowing smoothly for the substitute.

Depending on the month, students either generate a narrative or expository writing piece. After you return, they can revise and publish it.

The complexity of the prompts also varies based on grade. For example, the excerpt below comes from a 2nd-grade level activity related to the book “The Day the Crayons Quit.” In this case, students wrote about their favorite colors.

The step-by-step lesson plans included in the printable sub plans for elementary classrooms guide your guest teacher through the writing process, including:

• brainstorming
• editing and revising

As is best practice, these engaging substitute lesson plans for elementary students include opportunities for whole group, small groups, and partner discussions to get students comfortable with the writing topic before starting.

I include graphic organizers and draft papers to help facilitate the process.

First graders, on the other hand, are provided with a shorter writing composition activity and several word work tasks that focus on syllables, alphabetizing, and similar foundational skills.

Math Sub Plans

Many subs do not feel confident teaching math lessons. It can also be difficult to “unteach” a poorly taught math lesson. Therefore, these printable sub plans for elementary classrooms target review rather than introducing new material.

Engaging printables are included with each month. These focus on seasonal and holiday themes. The image below shows an example of the math practice from my Sub Plans for 1st grade .

While many skills are worked into the packs, many printables focus on computation and place value. These are foundational skills at these grade levels and are easy for a substitute to support.

Story problem practice is also offered and can be included as a “must do” or enrichment opportunity.

Special early finisher tasks are also included in these low-prep and engaging substitute lessons for elementary students. These vary by month and can include games, logic puzzles, and other enrichment opportunities.

Science & Social Studies Sub Plans

The science and social studies plans use original nonfiction passages related to seasonal topics. This can be holidays, special events, or commonly taught units during specific times of the year (like government and elections in November).

For first graders, these are provided as mini-books. The text is short, and activities on each page keep learners actively engaged with the text.

The lesson plan guides your guest teacher through the natural process of introducing the topic, activating prior knowledge, reading to learn, and demonstrating understanding. In addition, opportunities for discussion and partner work are included.

The emergency sub plans for grades 2-4 use a reading passage format. Like the first-grade plans, students are encouraged to discuss their prior knowledge and work with partners during this time.

The example below is from the 2nd grade plans for September and focuses on the fall harvest.

The passages are accompanied by multiple-choice and free-response questions. These align with CCSS informational reading standards and the TEKS. In addition, they use question stems commonly seen in standardized testing to give your students additional practice with this format.

Two passages are provided in each month’s plans to allow you to select which is best for your students or to use across two days.

Engaging, yet simple, STEM Challenge

Students often struggle with sub days because they end up being a full day of boring worksheets. To avoid this, I’ve added a simple STEM challenge to every set of printable sub plans for elementary classrooms I create. Students love STEM activities, like seasonally-themed STEM challenges or stations, so this can be a fun way to keep students actively engaged on a day you’re out.

Most of these challenges were designed to be done with items you likely have lying around your classroom or campus. However, the details are provided in the teacher’s directions so you can easily gather what you need in advance and keep them in an emergency sub box in your closet.

Before engaging in the STEM challenge, students create a STEM Journal to record their thoughts and learning process.

These are simple to create and help keep students’ thinking in one place for easy access later when you debrief.

Using the simple step-by-step lesson script, your sub will introduce the STEM challenge question and have students explore the materials they’ll use.

Then students will work in small groups or partners to complete the challenge, recording their work in their journal.

The STEM journal includes brainstorming opportunities, sketching models, and synthesizing learning. Students easily create these books in just minutes with the directions from the lesson.

Need to organize your substitute binder?

Enter your information to get a free copy of my fillable sub binder delivered to your inbox. Organize your year with this ready-to-use binder template.

Purchase the Emergency Sub Plans

These sub plan sets are currently available for grades 2-4. To accommodate year-round schools and summer school programs, monthly sub plan sets were created for all 12 months of the year.

You can purchase these Emergency Sub Plans here .

Related Posts

5 Simple Tips for a Better Sub Experience – It’s more than just sub plans!

Substitute Success – How to simplify having a sub

Similar Posts

10 Simple Tips for Making Student-Led Conferences Work for You

Finding work-life balance to prevent teacher burn out

Teacher Bag Essentials: 10 Must-Have Items You Might Not Think Of

Organize for Better Home-School Communication

150+ Report Card Remarks for Struggling Learners

10 super simple ways to appreciate your classroom volunteers without breaking the bank

Leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Expect Unexpected Engagement When you try Hexagonal Thinking in ELA

Listen to my latest podcast episode:.

Creative ELA Sub Plans (for THOSE days)

• January 17, 2023

So I had just dropped off my son to school and I was driving my daughter home to rest. She didn’t feel her best…again. I was tired and needed ELA Sub Plans.

I felt like she had spent more days at home than at school this year, and her slight stuffiness didn’t seem very serious, so a furious battle was raging in my brain.

I wanted to take care of her. Be patient. Kind. Tuck her into bed with orange juice popsicles, chicken noodle soup, and Ramona on audiobook.

On the other hand, I had PLANS for the day. Plans I was seriously attached to. I needed to grocery shop, work out, do a lot of work, clean up the house, buy a birthday present for her friend’s party the next day, and generally prepare myself for two more days of solo parenting while my husband was out of town.

“Mom?” came her little (slightly stuffy) voice from the backseat. “Are you mad at me?”

Ugh. Look out people, the parent of the year committee is headed my way.

Sometimes things don’t go to plan. Maybe you’re waking up to a sick child every third day this year. Maybe you have an unexpected injury. Maybe you suddenly need to travel to take care of a parent or grandparent. Maybe – like me in December – you’re the rare adult who actually gets croup and can barely sit up to adjust the volume on Grey’s Anatomy .

That’s when it’s time for a good solid sub plan. Something you can count on to be creative and interesting, even if it’s not exactly what you had planned for that moment in the unit. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one whose plans sometimes go awry. We may not talk about it enough, but life sure as heck happens.

So today let’s take a look at some easy sub plans you can use anytime. I’m going to try to give you absolutely everything you need to plug any one of these into the next day that the life tornado hits your planner.

#1 Sub Plan: The Graphic Adaptation (for any Text)

This month we’ve been talking a lot about graphic novels – great titles for the classroom , graphic adaptations of classic stories , even a graphic novel book tasting. So I figured it was a good time to share a single lesson that helps kids learn more about the artistry and intention behind a graphic novelist’s choices. You can use this sub plan with any book, any time.

First, have your sub show this video. It’s a quick walkthrough of a page in the graphic adaptation of The Great Gatsby , with an invitation from the creator for students to try the skills of graphic adaptation for themselves.

Next, use these handouts ( click here to make your copy ) to guide students in creating their own graphic adaptation of a key moment in your recent reading. They’ll be guided to use two techniques in particular – a close-up and a significant color choice – to make their version more effective.

You can then direct your sub to let students do a gallery walk in the last few minutes, if time allows, and see each other’s graphic adaptations before turning in their work.

#2 Sub Plan: Hold a Silent Discussion on Google Slides

Had your heart set on a discussion for the day you’re going to have to miss? Though a sub is unlikely to be able to facilitate one effectively without all your context and knowledge of the class, almost any discussion can be rolled into a silent version.

I’ve created easy Google Slides templates where you can drop in your questions and students have spaces to add their responses. They can flip from slide to slide, reading questions and responses, and adding their two cents.

Take a look at this before and after example.

You can grab ten of these colorful templates here , with quick and easy instructions for duplicating the ones you like best and giving students access to edit them. I often hear from surprised teachers who discover just how much students will “say” in a silent discussion.

#3 Sub Plan: Ted Talk Time

Watching a good Ted Talk is never a waste of time. Pick one you think your students would love from this curated list of nine classroom winners or show the one below, which might just be my favorite Ted Talk of all time. Before playing the talk, have your sub write the post-talk writing prompt on the board and draw students’ attention to it.

Choose a prompt that fits with the skills you want students to be practicing.

You could have them practice argument using a prompt like: Did you think the speaker made an effective case? Why or why not? Use at least three examples to support your argumnet.

You could have them practice rhetorical analysis using a prompt like: Did you think the speaker was most effective using logos, ethos, or pathos to make their overall point? Why? Defend your choice with at least two specific examples.

You could have them practice their own speech writing using a prompt like: If you were going to give a Ted Talk, what would it be about? What do you most want to share with the world? Write the first few paragraphs.

Now it’s time for the talk! While students listen, they can jot down their key takeaways using these easy sketchnotes templates ( click here for the free download on TPT which is already in use in over 60,000 classrooms).

Then they can write on the prompt for the rest of the class time.

#4 Sub Plan: Blackout Poetry

If you’re in or near a poetry unit when the need for a sub plan arises, blackout poetry is an easy win. Use these handouts to walk students through the process. And if you don’t have any old books or magazines available, I’ve grabbed pages from  Jane Eyre, Anne of Green Gables, The Great Gatsby , and  1984  for you to print. ( Make your copy here ). 

If you want students to try creating digital blackout poetry, you can find a walkthrough for that in this fun post with even more ideas for digital poetry activities you could easily turn into sub plans.

OK, ready to rock it? Or at least feel slightly better about those awkward days when plans take a running dive off the dock? Good.

I’ll help you find the creative ELA strategies that will light up your classroom. Get ready for joyful teaching!

LET’S BE PEN PALS

Browse by category.

SEARCH FOR THE STRATEGY OF YOUR DREAMS, OR DIVE INTO ONE OF THESE POPULAR CREATIVE RABBIT HOLES.

POPULAR POSTS

6 Creative Video Project Ideas for ELA

This I Believe (as My Life Changes)

Jason Reynolds doesn’t write Boring Books

Need something great for tomorrow? Head on over to the free resources section.

Let’s hang out on

• PRIVACY POLICY
• TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Privacy Overview

Love these ideas Betsy! Thank you for sharing the templates for a silent discussion. I can’t wait to try them out with my students.

I’m so glad, Shyloh! Thank you! I hope they will be a great tool for you.

You are so awesome and generous!

I’m so glad it was helpful to you, Monique! And thank you for your kind words. 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Ethical AI PBL Unit

3 weeks of attendance questions, better discussion toolkit.

Almost there!

• Skip to main content
• Skip to header right navigation
• Skip to site footer

Mrs. Beers Language Arts Classroom

A middle school ELA teacher blog featuring language arts activities, classroom ideas, and teacher resources for grades 4-8.

ELA Sub Plans (Made Easy!) for Middle School

Emergency sub plans are one of those must-have resources for your ELA teacher toolbox. This is especially true if you are also a parent, because, as teachers, we know better than anyone how quickly unexpected events can unfold! Here are the emergency substitute strategies and resources I use with my middle school language arts class.

Emergency Sub Plans vs. Lesson Plans

When I think of “emergency” sub plans I expect the resource to be teachable right out of the box. This is an important attribute when you consider the difference in planning time. You can create lesson plans in advance for a planned personal day, but if your own kids wake up sick at 4 a.m., then you need an emergency resource that is ready to go.

The key to stress-free sick days is to prepare well in advance. Scrambling to create lesson plans after an emergency arises is going to make your situation much more stressful. Some school districts even require teachers to submit an emergency lesson plan file before the start of the school year.

In my district, the expectation in 2024 is to have a file folder or substitute binder available at all times in your classroom. I’ve also seen teachers create a sub-tub using plastic bins.

One thing to keep in mind is that as each quarter passes, there will likely be changes to your student roster and daily schedule. I prefer the binder approach since it makes it easy to replace outdated information quickly. Just make sure you review the classroom information each quarter to avoid confusion around outdated attendance lists and schedules.

10 Things To Include in Your Sub Plan Binder:

• Welcome note with sub binder overview
• Classroom schedule
• Class lists for each period
• Seating charts for each period
• Details on students who require special accommodations
• Support duties and responsibilities such as recess and study hall
• Contact numbers for the office and helpful teammates
• Clear lesson plans for each class period
• Resources that are easy to implement and engaging for students
• Emergency procedures for fire drills, tornadoes, or lock downs

Here are 3 quick things you can do TODAY to start building your own emergency sub plans binder:

Without seating charts, it is tricky to know students’ names and connect with them during the course of the school day. If you use Schoology, you can create a seating chart with student pictures and simply print that out. I also like to highlight students on the seating chart who can offer help if any questions arise. This is also a good place to identify any special needs a student may have.

Share your expectations of students so that the substitute can use similar terminology to keep the class working effectively. It is also important to take stock of your morning routines and responsibilities. Attendance lists, lunch counts, and specials periods can be overwhelming for a substitute. Break everything down in your classroom schedule to keep things running smoothly.

I always assume my substitute knows nothing about my classroom or my teaching style, so I want to make my plans as clear as possible. One way to check this is to have someone outside of the school read through your plans to see if they understand the expectations.

How Long Should Your Sub Plans Be?

In terms of length or instructional time, a lot of it depends on how long your class periods are. I teach two identical periods of college prep and another two periods of honors language arts. Our class periods are each one hour long. When I have substitutes, I try to use the same lesson plans for all class periods. This allows the sub to build confidence and momentum throughout the day.

I structure all of my emergency lesson plans around reader’s theater scripts . These work well for my needs because they keep the students engaged, and there are multiple comprehension activities to incorporate. I’ve found it is usually best to break students into a couple small groups to perform the script. From there, I create comprehension questions, word work, and journal prompts for students to complete back at their desks.

My goal is to make sure there is enough work for my students to do for the full hour. Ideally, a single lesson plan can be stretched into two days in case your absence requires more time. If you are using reader’s theater, you can break into different groups on the second day and ask everyone to take a new part. From there, students can complete the activities left over from the day before.

Activities for EMERGENCY Sub Plans

Because I want my substitute to have the BEST day possible, I utilize high-interest lesson plans and resources that I know my middle school students will find engaging. It is important for the substitute to feel prepared, effective, and successful if you want to maximize the day.

Whether or not you are a fan of reader’s theater, my template for engaging sub plans can be implemented with almost any close reading passage. Of course, students will work through independent reading much faster than a group activity, so you will likely need a longer passage or more activities to fill the instructional time.

Beyond the standard reading comprehension questions and journal prompts, here are a few ideas I like to incorporate in my ELA sub-plans:

• Context Clue Word Work
• Summary Strategy Organizers
• Compare and Contrast Writing
• DIY Word Search (partner activity)
• Idioms and Figurative Language Activities

Easy ELA Sub Plans!

It takes A LOT of time to write and design your lesson plans. The good news is that I offer an evergreen set of language arts sub plans that you can use year after year. You’ll need to update class rosters and special instructions, but the bulk of the work is done on the front end. So while you can make your own ELA sub plans for free, my resources offer a time-saving shortcut.

If you are looking for printable pdf sub plans, then I have created 6 different sets for sale on TPT. Like you, I am a teacher on a budget and I am proud to offer the full bundle for only $19 .

Depending on the reading levels within your class, you can use this with grades 4 through 8. The most popular use case is with 5th grade and 6th grade. If you teach both prep and honors, then 7th grade is likely the high end to use for both class periods.

Save time and make these emergency sub plans a valuable addition to your ELA teacher toolbox . Click on the image below to learn more about my unique ELA sub plans bundle…

This special bundle includes 6 sets of ELA sub plans based on a unique and engaging reader’s theater script. Each set includes comprehension activities that can be extended into 2 days of substitute classroom instruction.

Here is an overview of what’s included in each volume of my ELA sub plans…

• A high-interest reader’s theater script
• Reader Response Questions
• Summary Strategy Organizer
• Text-Based Journal Prompt
• Word Work Word Search
• Story Cover Makeover
• 3-High Interest Journal Prompts for Writing
• Post-Reading Project
• Click here for full product details and reviews

Common Core Standards

My ELA sub plans are designed to cover the Common Core standards below.

CCSS RL4.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. Related standards: RL5.1 RL6.1 RL7.1 RL8.1

CCSS RL4.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. Related standards: RL5.2 RL6.2 RL7.2 RL8.2

CCSS RL4.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. Related standards: RL5.3 RL6.3 RL7.3 RL8.3

CCSS RL4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. Related standards: RL5.4 RL6.4 RL7.4 RL8.4

CCSS RL4.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot. Related standards: RL5.5 RL6.5 RL7.5 RL8.5

CCSS W.4:4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. Related standards: W5.4 W6.4 W7.4 W8.4

Stress-Free Sick Days Start with ELA Sub Plans!

Life happens, so be prepared! Have your sub binder ready to go and lower the stress that comes with sick days. A little bit of advanced planning is guaranteed to pay off at some point. Get an easy start with my emergency sub plans resources and build your binder from there!

Fingers crossed, we all stay in good health!

For security reasons, we do not recommend using the “Keep me logged in” option on public devices.

This posting is locked only for district employees, in order to apply, you need to provide a password and click "Submit".

Are you sure?

For security reasons, we do not recommend using the “Keep me logged in” option on public devices. Click Continue to move forward with stay logged in.

Reset your password

Is this your email @ ?

Enter email address to retrieve your username and/or reset your password.

Verify Your Email Address

Email verification link sent.

An Email Verification link was sent to the email address . The verification link will expire in 48 hours. Please click on the link in the email you received to continue and complete the verification process.

If you do not see the email in your inbox after approximately 10-15 minutes, check your SPAM/Junk email folder(s) , thank you.

COMMUNITY LIAISON - SPANISH SPEAKING/WRITING REQUIRED-SUBSTITUTE ONLY at Vista Unified School District

Application Deadline

9/30/2024 4:30 PM Pacific

Date Posted

Number of openings, add'l salary info, length of work year, employment type, benefit package:, job summary.

Do you have a Vision? We Do! Our Vision is to be "THE" Model of Educational Excellence. Do you want to be part of a team that inspires students to reach beyond the text book in innovative and technological ways? If you would like to work where a culture of Trust, Respect and Collaboration are a part of the daily work environment then you have found it! The purpose of a Community Liaison is to improve communication and student achievement by promoting parent and community involvement in the educational process; refer and provide information on services available to students and families; convey and interpret information regarding school and/or District activities, policies, goals, and procedures; plan, organize, and coordinate a variety of events and activities in support of the District's educational program; and work a flexible schedule as needed by the position. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or equivalent, supplemented by course work or training in community awareness or in multilingual and multi-cultural programs and one (1) year of paid or volunteer experience providing service in community or school service programs, or a related area. Ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish and serve as an appropriate English speaking model is required. CERTIFICATES: Valid California Driver's License

Requirements / Qualifications

OPEN TESTING – Open to employees of the District and the public with the selection process resulting in one (1) Eligibility List that will be used to fill current vacancies and any future vacancies that occur within one (1) year or until the list becomes exhausted. Current permanent employees of the District will be awarded seniority points as per the contract. All properly completed applications will be reviewed and the most highly qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process may consist of an evaluation and scoring of application materials, written testing, oral interview and/or performance test to evaluate the applicant’s skill, training and experience. The EdJoin system will time-out after a 20 minute period of perceived inactivity. Your responses to the supplemental questions are limited to 5,000 characters. A completed on-line application is required of all applicants to be considered for this opening. Once you have submitted your application, please check your email because EdJoin will send you an email verifying that your application has been submitted correctly. If you do not receive an EdJoin email, check your spam/junk mailbox. In the event that you do not receive an email, you will need to apply again. All applicants will be notified by email regarding their selection status. Please be sure to check your email as to the next step in the recruitment process since this is the only form of communication that you will receive.

• Driver's License Copy

Comments and Other Information

Links related to this job.

• Salary and Benefits
• City of Vista
• Application Process
• View Other Job Desc. / Ess. Elem.

CalPERS Links

• CalPERS Retirement Benefits

Vista Unified School District

Session Expiring Warning

For your safety and protection, your session is about to expire. If you wish to continue your session, please click OK .

Social & Life Skills Writing + Editing Checklist Sub Plans 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Grade

Products in this Bundle (5)

Also included in.

Description

These FIVE narrative writing activities are complete with an editing checklist, brainstorming ideas, and space to write. Let’s get your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader thinking about fun & life skills such as money, weather, and more! Then follow up with STEAM extension activities included in the download.

Students use the provided matrix to choose the components of the matrix they choose. Their imaginations will be filled with all manner of ideas, from sandcastles and savings accounts, to knight's quests and space missions!

✨ Hear what people are saying about these narrative writing challenges! ✨

"Such a fun assignment that fostered the motivation that my reluctant writer so needed! My son loved the prewriting table with choices, which also helped him organize his paragraphs. The editing checklist at the end also helped him be in charge of his own writing." - Daniela B., Homeschool Mom

Space is provided for students to write out their story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Extra writing pages are included for easy extension when needed. Teachers will love that metacognition is encouraged via the editing checkbox!

BUT DON'T STOP THERE! This bundle includes 4 extension activity ideas PER TOPIC. These ideas draw on STEAM concepts to allow all kinds of learners to express their ideas.

✨ This Product Includes ✨

• 5 Create-a-____ matrix (Depending on the topic they choose)
• One blank page with writing lines
• One blank page with writing lines AND an editing check box.
• FOUR STEAM-based extension ideas per topic

Topics in this bundle are:

• Birthday Party
• Chef's Menu
• Crazy School Day
• Extreme Weather Event
• Saving & Spending Money

Related Products

⭐ Beach Trip Narrative Writing with Editing Checklist + BONUS STEAM Activity Ideas

⭐ Space Narrative Writing with Editing Checklist + BONUS STEAM Activity Ideas

⭐ Summer Vacation Narrative Writing Editing Checklist + BONUS STEAM Activity Ideas

⭐ Superhero Narrative Writing with Editing Checklist + BONUS STEAM Activity Ideas

Follow My Store to Learn About New Activities!

Questions & Answers

Melissa is teaching.

• We're hiring
• Help & FAQ
• Privacy policy
• Student privacy
• Terms of service
• Tell us what you think