Setting Your Students Up for Success With a Substitute Teacher

How do your students act when you’re not there? Do you dread getting feedback from a substitute? Here are five tips to set your students up for success with a substitute teacher. 

1. Try to keep the shell of the class as familiar as possible. If students complete a journal prompt at the beginning of class do the same with the substitute. It’s a great way to start the class while the substitute takes attendance and reads through any instructions.

2. Having said that, your regular classroom routine will not be exactly the same as a class with a substitute teacher. You can’t expect this of a substitute coming into your classroom for the first time, and you can’t expect that students will act exactly the same either. The change in routine is what often leads to misbehavior. If possible, let your students know ahead of time that things will be different.

3. Share with students (either ahead of time or through the substitute) that they will be expected to fill out an accountability sheet at the end of class. Have them identify:

1. 1. What they worked on
   2. What they submitted
   3. How they rate their focus and effort

4. You could have a discussion of expectations when you’re absent as part of your beginning-of-the-year procedures. Create a handout based on this discussion to have on hand if you are ever unexpectedly absent. For example: 

1. 1. Respect and respond to the substitute.
   2. Give focus and effort to completing the task. 
   3. Submit the required work at the end of class. 
   4. Know that the substitute will be sharing their experience. Misbehaviour will result in consequences.

5. Think about the things your substitute needs to know to run your class. 

1. 1. Are there any materials in certain cupboards (meaning they’re not out and obvious)?
   2. Where is the first aid kit located?
   3. Are there contact numbers they’ll need to know (e.g., the office)?
   4. Are there any specific policies they’ll need to follow (e.g., going to the bathroom)?
   5. Is there a seating chart?

Another thing you can do to set your students up for success is to have detailed emergency lesson plans that can be used in a planned or unexpected absence. Leave specific instructions for the substitute, understanding that they will probably not have a background in theatre. The more you can prepare your sub, the more successfully they’ll be able to guide your students through the class period.

Click below for an Emergency Lesson Plan template with a substitute instruction sheet, feedback sheet, and mark chart as well as handouts for the lesson. 

Want More Emergency Lesson Plans? Check out these Theatrefolk resources:

• Emergency Lesson Plans for Theatre Teachers 2nd editions
• Emergency Lesson Plans: Middle School Drama Class Task Sheets