Life as Jenn

Here is my Sub binder.  You never know if you'll go into a classroom where a teacher has left plans on the desk or absolutely no plans.  Just be prepared no matter what the case may be for the day.  I came up/looked for lesson plans and activities for Pre-Kindergarten all the way through the 8th grade and also included answer keys for each packet or activity I created or found.  For each grade level there are lesson plans for reading, math, science, and social studies.  It took a long time but I think that in the long run, it'll be totally worth every hour spent on this project.

Here is what I have in my "bag of teacher tricks"

Starting from the left:

PEZ candy, stickers, foam stickers, and pencils - these are used for at the end of the day to reward those students that showed an amazing job.

Whistle on coil - Used of course for playground to round students up to get in line

Bucket of crayons, Mr. Sketch Markers, Glue sticks, fine tip markers chalk - You never know when you'll need these items for an art activitiy or color in assignment

Hand Sanitizer - So many germs are passed around during the day.  Keep those hands clean to keep sickness AWAY!

Pencils - I don't know how many kiddos throughout the day asked for a pencil, but I'd definitely need more than two hands to count them all.  Always bring extra pencils with you and sharpen them ahead of time so that you and the kiddos can focus more on the assigned task than a sharpening a pencil.

Post-Its and punch out - Write each student's name on a post it and stick it on the desk/table where they sit.  Throughout the day, go around and use the punch out on the sticky note.  The student with the most punch outs on their post it wins a prize!

Flashcards - Flashcards are great time fillers!

Calculator - Sometimes when you sub, you encounter a math page that doesn't contain an answer key.  I've found that a calculator helps in answering questions quicker!

Popscicle Sticks - At the end of each stick is a title of a game or an activity.  You might have extra time to play these games at the end of the day.  I only choose one.

Name Tags - It can be heartbreaking to a child if you can't recall their name or say their name correctly.  I always try to remind kids that everyone makes mistakes and that I'm new and they're new to me.  Name tags can definitely help any sub avoid situations such as these.

Substitute Business Cards - I always bring a stack of business cards with me to any job assignment so that teachers know who I am and who was working in their classroom for the day.  I include the following information on the cards: A catchy title "I'm Here For You!", My name, My job position, work experience, certifications, my phone number, email address, and the address to this website.

Hopefully, you can find this helpful.  I know that I did! Happy Subbing!

So a few people have asked how my first day of subbing went. I am happy to report that the day went great! It was such a thrill to have this experience "back in the classroom". I was greeted with hugs from 18 little kindergartners and a lot of helpers . But I forgot how easy it was to get a class settled down and back to order when things don't really work out on the plans(computers and iPads weren't working properly in the class I was subbing for).

The substitute plans left for me were detailed and had available times on them, which I really appreciated!  This sub job was only for half a day, but nonetheless rewarding.  I still cannot believe how fast I got into substitute teaching!  I am having such a great time and I really cannot wait for the next sub job that I have accepted.  It is for a Pre-K class that is quite a distance from my home, but that doesn't bother me because I'm sure that it'll be a great experience.  Tomorrow I meet a friend who subs at a pre-k class at a local church here in Amarillo.  She asked if I could sub for one of the teachers that will be out on Thursday.  I'll post about my experience with observing that particular class tomorrow.

As I finish the Broadmor Elementary scrapbook tonight I am saddened that I'm closing this chapter in my life, but happy that I get to start a new one. Thank you to everyone that believe in me and to those that have given me so much hope. It means the world to me and I couldn't have done it without y'all!

No sub plans for today. Good thing I have my bag of teacher tricks! I will not let this get me down!

Update: The teacher showed up and told me that each of the math classes will only be working on a math packet and left me with just a schedule of the times the teacher has a class. 

I really winged it today, but I had a really great time helping the students with their math problems.  I felt like a teacher again; however, I don't think that middle school is my forte.  I don't know how middle school teachers do it...but I have soooo much respect for you guys!

Wow is all I can say...the more I sub for pre-K and kindergarten classes, the more I'm falling in love with these two grade levels! Who knew that these cute kiddos have such PERSONALITY!!! Today I subbed 12 prek students and I started with a smile and ended with an even bigger smile!

One thing that truly touched me today was that these students exhibited incredible morals today. Before their snack, these 3-4 year olds always say a prayer. I asked the kiddos who would like to start off our prayer and one little girl raised her hand eagerly and said that she'd do it. I don't remember the entire prayer but it went something like this, "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this food that we are going to eat. Bless me and my friends and for our teacher today...". I couldn't believe that a four year old was saying all of this and that she actually included me. I am so happy and thankful that I get this second chance of working with kids!

I was also very amazed how these students listened to my directions very well and followed through with them each and every step of the way!  Super impressed how organized the plans were that the teacher had left me and how everything was tabbed for each activity of the day.  I really couldn't stop thinking about how it reminded me so much of my days as a teacher when I had to write up sub plans for a day that I was going to be out of class.  Great, detailed plans are really the secrects to success for having a class run smoothly for a substitute and for most importantly, the students. 

I have decided to accept another sub job for tomorrow.  Let's see how this goes...it's for a 6th grade math class!!!  The last time I was doing anything teacher related in a middle school class was when I was an intern...yikes!  I'll make sure that I bring my bag of teacher tricks, you know...just in case!  I have emailed the teacher I am subbing for tomorrow to get myself mentally prepared for the math lessons.  Wish me luck!