3 Stress Relieving Tips for Long Term Sub Plans

Getting ready for a substitute is really a pain.  As a teacher, it’s one of those things where you think, “Am I really that sick........I’m not dying............ NAH, it’s not worth ALL the extra prep.” However, sometimes you have no other choice. I recently was put into a position where I had to prepare sub plans for a long term leave.  I did my usual 14 pages (Yes I “may” be a little obsessive that everything goes how I want it to go.....) of details on how we run our classroom, where everything is located, what the students are expected to do and when they are expected to do it, which students to keep close, which students could lead the class, which students have health issues........ this list goes on and on (as I am sure you know). Of course, after that I still had to write all of the detailed plans on each lesson for every subject.  At this point I realized how much of a control freak I am when it comes to my class and think to myself, “I know this sub is good (because I hand picked her), however she is not me. Soooooo, how can I make it easier for her to connect to my kiddos quickly?” Then, it dawned on me............ just show her the language I use and the format I may use for teaching and learning. This way at least some parts of the day are already familiar to my kiddos. Here are 3 tips that have helped me feel at ease:

1. I wrote my plans so that each day of the week they were doing the same type of activities but using different texts/skills for each subject. For example:

2. I made interchangeable Anchor Charts. First, I pre-made each Anchor Chart with the teaching point at the top and any important learning points that wouldn’t change no matter what the subject.

Then I used regular paper and Elmer’s repositionable glue to add the pages that the substitute would actually be writing on. 

 

All she had to do was read the book, use the teaching point I had already written, then model the skill by changing out the colored paper according to the different answers for each text.

3. When your up to it, Facetime or Skype your kiddos.  I have done this with the kiddos in my classroom while I have been out. It has lifted their spirits and mine. It also shows that even though I am out of the room I am still a part of their learning, their lives, and I am in touch with the sub. So I still know everything!

Do you have any other tips we could add to this list to ease the amazingly stressful substitute planning? I would love to hear them!

See ya next time in paradise!

Daily Time Saver Signs

There are a few things that always make me smile in the morning. The first one may be the most important, as it makes the others possible. 

A cup of coffee and now I am smiling, and ready to meet the rest of the day.

As I open the door to the calm, quiet, and empty classroom, the source of another smile awaits. Approaching the front of the room, this is the sight that greets me.

You might be wondering what is so special about this. Well, for years, I’ve been spending precious minutes each and every day, posting the relevant information for the day. Even a few moments a day adds up to hours over the course of a year. So, take a closer look and I’ll explain.

Before school began this year, I created these daily time saver signs to go along with the school-wide sports theme. The today’s date sign stays in the same location with a strip of magnetic tape attached to the back. The month and year signs can be easily changed out. There are thirty-one baseball date signs connected to a binder ring. Each day, the day sign is flipped, and the ring hangs on a magnet hook. 

 In our class, there is a helper of the day. Twenty students in the class mean there are 20 soccer ball signs. Flip one over and we are ready to go. The small football signs show the rotation class of the day, and these baseball signs indicate the captain of each team. There is a daily reminder sign for each day of the week. For each day, names of students and times they leave the room for support are listed. The names are blocked out in this photo.

Flipping the signs mentioned so far takes about five seconds or less.

 

This section of the board is for the essential questions of the day. If you plan on teaching a grade more than one year, these are well worth the time it takes to make them. There are also many TPT sellers who have done the work for you.

 I have all of the standards questions organized in a tabbed notebook. At the beginning of each unit or quarter, I pull all of the signs we will need. Next, the signs are placed in a pocket chart, organized and ready to move to the board as needed.

 So there you go, I'm ready for the day. A little work upfront saves precious time each day. Can you see me smiling? 

As a gift to you, these Daily Time Saver Signs are a freebie in my Teachers Pay Teacher store, Lolly's Locker.

Click here to get your set.

Enjoy!

"Cheeeese!" Ways to Use Student Photos in Your Classroom

During the first days of school I am almost like paparazzi to my students. I’m sure they wonder why their new teacher is taking pictures of them when they don’t even know my name, but I still click away!

Strange happy lady... snapping head shots... saying.... “Smile! Look happy... mommy will be here soon!” This is something super easy that you can even implement at any time during the year, but will make a big difference in student learning and organization. 

WORD WALL

Some of our first lessons are learning our names in print and reading others names in our class. We build our word wall throughout the year, so what a great first addition to the wall. This is a large white magnetic board in the back of my room. This year I have 2 large white boards but even when I only had one, I use it for a word wall! It is important to me to have an interactive word wall that students can read and touch at any time of the day. I allow the students to organize the names so they are learning how the word wall works. Each sentence strip is laminated and I add magnetic tape to the back as well. We use them a lot to take to our tables when we are writing or even sorting activities. 

   STUDENT GROUPS

  I also use the photos to organize my reading groups. These are just wallet sized photos, they come printed on one sheet with 4 photos. I use a push pin so the groups are flexible and easy for me to change. On this board I used a staple because the pins were falling off into the carpet... not a fun find when I am walking around cleaning up without shoes on!! (#truestory) 

   The students can do a quick glance to see what group they will be working in. We started calling our math centers whisper work too because the students loved the name so much. I wanted them to understand it is a talking time, because talking is learning, but it is also time for them to be working without disrupting others learning. It's a happy level of discussion that they have developed with practicing and routines during these work times. These are my most favorite parts of the day because I am able to have my small groups. *There are also times when students develop groups with their pictures!

PARTNERSHIPS

I use partnerships all throughout the day. These are also wallet sized photos with just a small magnetic tape attached to the back. I again can change the partnerships based on the task for the students. I love that the partnerships are visible throughout the room and I can quickly glance to see who should be working together. Some great times for partnerships include: independent reading, games, writing conferences, turn and talks... endless possibilities! 

This year I used Walmart for printing the wallet sized photos. I do love how the photo has an extra white tag so I am able to label each picture with the student's name. With other wallet sized photos you have to attach the picture to an index card for that extra room.

The photos have provided my students with ownership within the decisions made in our classroom. They also make the room OURS! When we have a new student, they light up when they get to add their name to the word wall. 

Do you use student photos in your room? I would love to know how you incorporate these in your room as well. Post a comment below.