Things for subs to do

[UMaineTeach]

I need a good list of go to last minute things for a sub to do. As soon as I get a sub for an ed tech, 3 kids are absent, and the sub is stranding in front of me in the middle of teaching a group asking what they can do for the next 30 minutes.

I don’t usually have much to photocopy or cut out. When I do have something to photocopy, explaining where it is and what to do is harder than doing it myself later.

[nsl]

I'm confused--are you looking for busywork to task a sub with, or emergency plans for a sub to execute with a group of students? If it's the former, I'd send the sub back to the main office so they could deploy them elsewhere in the building where they're needed.

[UMaineTeach]

Aug 20, 2019 19:22:27 GMT -5 nsl said:

I'm confused--are you looking for busywork to task a sub with, or emergency plans for a sub to execute with a group of students? If it's the former, I'd send the sub back to the main office so they could deploy them elsewhere in the building where they're needed.

Yes, useful busywork for down time when kids they are supposed to be with are absent or other unexpected down time. I have sent them to the office before, but the staff is so busy in there I feel bad pushing my problem to them.

I could find a couple teachers who always take extra people and ask them at the beginning of the year. One in particular seamlessly integrates anyone in. I’ve found myself stuck there longer than I wanted before. Other teachers are clearly a one woman show.

[irishbride2]

I don't understand. You have subs coming in to work with three kids, and then those three are absent? This is a use of a sub I've never seen before.

If our Sub has a free period, they get it free.

[UMaineTeach]

Aug 23, 2019 11:34:30 GMT -5 irishbride2 said:

I don't understand. You have subs coming in to work with three kids, and then those three are absent? This is a use of a sub I've never seen before.

If our Sub has a free period, they get it free.

Sorry for the poor storytelling. I’ll try again. Three might be an exaggeration.

So, I have an ed tech III who calls out in the morning, I get a sub for her. Let’s say the tech has recess with Bill, math with Jen in my room, then an hour in class with Grover, a reading group with Elizabeth and Sam, then back for another hour with Grover in class, and then take Ralph to lunch.

Grover is absent. Now, I have a sub who needs to fill 2 hours. I can’t send her totally away, there are other things besides Grover on the schedule. If the regular tech was there she could plan for the groups she has, prep things for those plans, catch up on email, grade assessments, whatever. Instead, I have a sub who needs time filled, and I have nothing in mind for her to do.

I was hoping to avoid staring blankly at them year when they ask what they should do, or making them the secretary’s problem.

Aside: Teachers who plan to be out (can’t do much about last minute absences) are expected to have work for the sub during free periods.

[morecoffeeplease]

In that situation they are sent to another class that has a large need that I know could use someone to walk students to the sensory room or whatever.

If we don't send them there, they get some extra time off and usually go play on their phones in the lounge.