| Everyone gets those situations in life where an | | | | worksheets so the sub doesn't have to. And be |
| emergency has come up, and you don't have the | | | | sure to leave answer keys. Many subs will actually |
| time (or sometimes the ability) to get a good | | | | even grade your assignments for you if you ask |
| lesson plan in to school for your students. Maybe | | | | them in your plans. |
| you have a family emergency or a disrupted | | | | Get this done early in the year, and you can save |
| travel plan and you just cannot get into school to | | | | yourself many headaches later, not to mention |
| leave detailed lessons. That is why it is essential | | | | worries about what will happen in your room if |
| for you to have an emergency lesson plan | | | | you are unable to be there. |
| available and handy. | | | | EMERGENCY LESSON PLAN IDEAS: |
| The emergency lesson plan should be able to be | | | | Language Arts: Include short writing activities |
| used at ANY point in the year. It doesn't have to | | | | involving students opinions. Thus they don't have |
| fit in with what you're currently doing (nor should | | | | to have 'background' information, and they can |
| it - it is to be used when you cannot leave normal | | | | write from their own experiences. Parts of |
| sub plans). The lesson should be related to your | | | | speech review can include mad-libs or easy, fun |
| normal curriculum, but it could be a supplement or | | | | worksheets. |
| an enrichment activity. | | | | Math: Leave a calculator activity. These could |
| Get a folder (or a three-ring binder), and label it | | | | even be puzzles or partner games. Or give |
| appropriately on the outside cover. There are | | | | review problems. |
| even folders you can purchase (some schools | | | | Science: Copy a science article and have students |
| even make these available to teachers) labeled | | | | read carefully and answer questions. Make |
| 'sub folder' or 'emergency plans'. Also make sure | | | | speculations and use the scientific method. Or |
| you have an appropriate spot for your | | | | have students create the plans for a lab activity. |
| emergency folder on or in your desk area. Some | | | | Reading: Leave students a copy of a short story |
| schools will ask you to keep an emergency plan in | | | | or article, and questions to answer. You could |
| the office. In either case, make sure it is easily | | | | even set up a 'test-taking' exercise, and discuss |
| accessible by a substitute teacher. | | | | appropriate answers and strategies. |
| Think about keeping class activities to 10 to 15 | | | | Social Studies: Map activities are great for |
| minute increments. This way the sub will have | | | | emergency plans. You can even set up a one-day |
| better control of your kids. Students have | | | | unit on any area/region of the world, including |
| difficulties adjusting to changes in their routines, | | | | your own town or city. |
| and you don't want to have to return to discipline | | | | Everyone gets those situations in life where an |
| referrals. | | | | emergency has come up, and you don't have the |
| Keep the information organized and easily | | | | time (or sometimes the ability) to get a good |
| accessible for a sub. Remember, the sub won't | | | | lesson plan in to school for your students. Maybe |
| know where you normally keep things, and they | | | | you have a family emergency or a disrupted |
| can't read your mind. Spell out exactly what you | | | | travel plan and you just cannot get into school to |
| want done, where it can be found, and what you | | | | leave detailed lessons. That is why it is essential |
| want done with it when they're finished. | | | | for you to have an emergency lesson plan |
| Make sure you have made enough copies of any | | | | available and handy. |