6 Tips to De-Stress on your Sick Day!

Every teacher does their own spin on their substitute binder or folder. But there are a few must-haves for every binder that are sometimes left out! Don’t you fret, I’m here to show you the way to a sub binder that will not only have your substitute leaving you chocolate in thanks, but also leave YOU at peace as you are away from your own carefully crafted unit plans and classroom.

1.       Take some time at the beginning of the year and write a general template so you don’t have to write a brand-new plan and stress yourself.

Write out a general template for yourself so that all you will need to do is insert what the substitute will have your students doing. Make sure the general classroom culture points are listed at the top so the sub knows which students need extra help or which have any extra issues which might need to be addressed. Not only does this help with your own stress levels but it also lets the substitute know exactly who and what the issues may be in a new classroom; it’s a win-win for everyone!

2.       If possible, create a photo list of all your students with YOUR OWN comments about them and any behavior issues listed on the sheet.

Your substitute should be able to read through this and know exactly which students they can call on if they need a hand. Ensuring a list like this is present will also help with that pesky notion that students like to switch names while a substitute calls attendance. It can also eliminate the need to vocally call attendance. If the students can be recognized by their photos, then there is no more sneakiness from your class!

3.       ENSURE ANOTHER TEACHER WHO KNOWS YOUR CLASS CAN HELP IF ANY ISSUES ARISE!

This is a must to help you! Make sure another teacher, or EA, in the school knows your classroom dynamic and how to help if any and all issues arise. Principals and Vice Principals don’t need to be called in if there is another teacher (another teacher in the same grade level for example) is available for any questions or for help. Not only will this ease you but your sub will not feel in the dark if they have any questions regarding policies or specific students!

4.       Policies must be present in your binder.

Ensuring all the school policies are in your binder are essential! You can either copy them, print them off or even re write them as a simplified document for your substitute so they can quickly read them over in case of an emergency! Your binder should have copies of the emergency policies, any classroom policies (Like classroom rules that are not posted) and contact information for the principal, vice principal and Guidance Councillor.

5.       Pick two students to be substitute helpers! 
Every teacher knows within the first couple days who their “helper students” are. Pick two or three and make their specific job to be a helper for the Substitute. Make a game or fun activity out of being picked so you know your sub is well taken after! Not only will it ease you but your students will love to be given a task! If you’re lucky, it might inspire great behavior while you’re away too!

6.       Have a ‘Sub Tub’

Have an area where you can leave a tub of supplies just for sub days! Leave things like general supplies that you may use in several lessons such as extra pens/pencils, glue sticks, scrap paper, etc. There many things you could keep in a sub tub depending on your grade level and what units you’re teaching! Be creative with it! But also, make sure either your sub plan lists where it is or your sub helpers know its whereabouts so they are not stuck in a rut!

Sick days are never easy, especially when they’re a surprise! Keep these tips in mind if you want a (hopefully) seamless and stress free day to just help yourself get better!