How to Substitute

Hello everyone,

Wow, a lot of you had classroom coverage this week. I thought maybe I ought to talk about how to sub.

All of you born in the US who went to public schools know the hallowed tradition of giving the worst of it to subs. I was a past master, and I haven't seen a trick yet that I didn't pull myself when I was a kid. Word gets around campus rapidly that so-and-so is out and has a sub, and sometimes the plans are in place well before the students get to class. It's best not to get too upset at the shenanigans; just be firm and businesslike. I'm afraid you will have to refrain from enjoying the show (pretend that you have a sense of humor, but the joke wasn't all that funny, and it helps). I'll give some specific suggestions below. First, I want to address the requirements.

REQUIRED:

IF YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABSENT: Insure that THERE IS A LESSON PLAN THAT CAN BE EXECUTED VERY EASILY. Anything complicated or difficult at all probably won't get done. (Our PSP subs are very good, but you won't always have them. If you teach a complicated, specialized subject, it's unfair to expect many subs to know how to do it, so don't.) Make sure there is enough work to keep the students busy the whole class. HAVE THE LESSON PLAN RELATE TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN THE CLASS; DON'T WASTE DAYS. Just let it be easily executed.

IF YOU ARE SUDDENLY SURPRISED BY YOUR ABSENCE: Fax in a lesson plan, or call your classroom and dictate the lesson over the phone. Keep it simple.

ALWAYS HAVE A WORKABLE ALTERNATE LESSON PLAN in case yours won't work for some reason (the VCR won't work; the books aren't available; the lab is closed).

IF YOU'RE SUBBING:

TAKE ROLL: Take roll on ISIS using a substitute login. The main office will furnish one. If the login information is not already in the classroom, call the main office, and they'll help you.

ENFORCE THE SCHOOL RULES: Don't allow hats, electronic devices, profanity, or gang attire in the class. Keep track of tardies to the best of your ability. IF the students say that the regular teacher allows those things, tell them that you don't.

SOME SUGGESTIONS:

Watch them as they come in to keep track of potential trouble makers. (Students who laugh to see you, nudge their friends, and whisper are a dead give-away )

FIND OUT THEIR NAMES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. This can be a tough one, since a significant portion of the time they will give you false names. (It's a silly game, but they play it. If you fall for it, they know they have you.) I recommend sketching a seating chart, then, while they are working, ASKING EACH OF THEM THEIR NAME INDIVIDUALLY; write the names on the seating chart. That way, you can always tell the names of the misbehavers, and you can root out those who don't belong in the class (there will often be ditchers who've come in to join their friends for a day of fun; don't let them stay). If the teacher has left a seating chart, ENFORCE IT. If you're really good, you can call roll and have them raise their hands if they're present, then you memorize their names. That's if you're really good.

After you take roll, announce the names of all the absences and tardies. Let them correct you, but be certain of the corrections.

FOR TARDIES, don't let them in immediately. Take their names at the door as you let them in. (Don't leave them in the hall for very long, but a brief delay of a few seconds so that you can record their tardies lets them know you mean business.)

GIVE SPECIFIC RULES AND ENFORCE THEM STRICTLY. Keep the rules simple: "Stay in your seats; work quietly (or silently)."

FOLLOW THE LESSON PLAN AS EXACTLY AS YOU ARE CAPABLE. Treat the absent teacher the way you want to be treated.

IF THERE IS NO LESSON PLAN, do your best to prevent total chaos. Usually, enforcing the very simple "stay in your seats and work quietly" rules is enough to prevent mayhem.

Ah, I see my time is up. Hope this is helpful.

Jeff Combe