Substitute Teacher Tips??

Question

I am a High School subsitute teacher...i have been for 3 years.

I know what i am doing, but any new tips? I love when teachers leave specific plans that fill the entire period...but most of the time, they let the students do whatever they want which equals good for kids, bad for sub.

It is hard job, let me tell you!! It doesnt make it any better that i am 24 and look like a highschooler myself!!

Here is some advice from my end...tell the class from the beginning that you dont let students go to the washroom...this was the best idea ever. I noticed that like EVERY student had to go and i was sending one after another the whole period!!

as for the bathroom thing...they are young adults...they can hold it!!

I love when students act like subs dont take attendence!! I was a highschooler at the school i sub at and i didnt even try to do the tings they do!!

I want to know what you say when the kids say...well out teacher lets us use headphones, our teacher lets us turn the radio on, our teacher lets us sit on the desks

as for being a "cool" sub, there is a line where students become disrespectful. Also, Substitutes get reviewed...so people do care how your perform. I would like to keep my job.

most Highschoolers are so immature!!

I find that "fibbing" to the students works, sometimes!! Like telling them the homework they are woking on is due at the end of class, or that their teacher said that thiss will happen if there is a bad report, or that the teacher wants everyone to do this for today.

Teachers, most of the time, dont prepare for the sub enough and that is why this is such a tough job.

Answer 1

I sub, and I ALWAYS have a back-up plan- some busy worksheets. Crosswords, word-finds, hard mazes, etc.

To keep high schoolers and middle schoolers in line, I offer the bribe of free time. I write
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
on the board. This represents the amount of free time they get at the end of class. I erase the #'s one at a time starting at the top if they misbehave. It cuts class shorter but I figure 30 min of good solid work is better than 40 messing around the whole time.

I also take an educational bingo game along with me-usually multiplication bingo. Sometimes we play that as a reward, I just write BINGO on the board and erase the letters if I need to. I bring little prizes like erasers and pencils and candy. I have been handing out santa-head erasers this week and they love it!! :)

Mad libs is also a fun reward- They always like the one that changes the words to the Spongebob theme song!

Good luck with everthing!! I agree on the bathroom thing, too! (Telling a k-1st grader they can go to the nurse has the same effect, by the way! I have never seen a whole class get "ill" that fast!!)

Answer 2

I am a 70 year old woman. I remember some of our subs. Most of them were faceless nonenities. Using hindsight, about the only thing they could have done,l was to bring a book to class and read us a story that was short to finish in the 45 min allotted. Or if you do not plan to be their too often, cursive hand writing is something every single student needs more practice in.

Answer 3

The best tip is to tell the students, "At the end of the day I'm going to write a note to [teacher's name]. He/She told me if he/she gets a bad note, he/she will [completely unfair punishment]."

When teachers threaten beforehand about the punishment of a "bad note from a substitute," the students tend to be better behaved. If no such threat was made, then make one up.

Edit: Haha. You said fibbing.

Answer 4

Make sure you take note of who's in the classroom. Often times, students from other classes will seek in to skip their class.

Regarding the restrooms--if they really need to go, let them. Some people have health issues that don't allow them to hold it.

Answer 5

Have you ever thought about actually becoming a certified teacher?

If you want to continue subbing, then I would change your appearance to make you look "older". (You mentioned your age.)

As far as everything else, you've got what it takes to be "the perfect sub".

Any availability? I could use a whole month off for R&R!

Answer 6

be careful or the students will give you a nightmare youll never forget. dont let them use the BR. they cut that way. trust me im a student in junior high and i see it myself.

Answer 7

wow.. the kids must hate you if they can't go to the bathroom if they really have to go.

Make sure that they are telling you the right names if you can. We used to switch names.

Answer 8

Ok. From personal experince just be cool. Act like you would if you were them.

Answer 9

you must be a saint,tough job!!

Answer 10

uhhh............sit there read a book let the kids talk & stuff...........so wut if ur a bad sub.......who will find out??? and who gives a care if they havta piss is it ur prob.?? NOOO so let them go..........if it were u there wouldnt be a prob. would there put urself in their shoes