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GET READY, GET SET, SUB!
Congratulations, you've decided to take on the enormous task of substitute teaching! Subbing can bring rewarding memories or monumental migraines. The better prepared you are, the more likely you'll have a rewarding experience with the littlest of learners.

GET READY: BE PREPARED
Like all people, teachers have unexpected reasons for needing a day off and do not always have extensively detailed lessons for the sub. Therefore, come prepared to keep kids on track. First get yourself a bag to carry all your essentials. Then fill it with an array of items that'll entertain and educate children. A substitute bag should have the following items in at all times.

1. Flash cards: a set of addition/subtraction and multiplication/division. These are great for playing Math Around the World.
2. Stickers, stickers, and more stickers! Stickers are great rewards and incentives for children.
3. Reproducible fun sheets. Bring a copy of word searches, math drills, handwriting sheets, writing prompts, reading sheets, and educational coloring sheets. Make copies for the class once you get to the school.
4. Read Aloud books. Children enjoy being read to. So come ready to read. Have handy a few short stories to read to the class. Make sure it's a book that you can finish that day. Rhyming books, fairy tales, and short story series are easy enjoyable reads.
5. Markers, pencils, pens. Stock up on some white board markers, overhead markers, pens, and pencils for those just in case moments.
6. Dice and filler games. Bring a class set of dice to play a variety of math and language arts games. Be ready to play games like Heads Up Seven Up, Simon Says, and Red Rover to fill up extra time.

GET SET: ARRIVE EARLY
Arrive to your assignment as early as possible, at least thirty to forty-five minutes before the start of the school day. Once you arrive, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the school layout. Find the office, classroom, bathrooms, and other important school buildings. Take time to read the fire escape plan located on the classroom wall. Then get situated in the classroom. Look around the room. See where important learning areas and materials are. Next read the substitute plan for the day. Get acquainted with the classroom rules and discipline procedures. Study the schedule for the day so that you'll keep the routine as normal as possible. Remember kids like routine and will often behave better when their schedule is not interrupted. Now that you know the rules and schedule, look through all the teaching materials left for the day. Then if you have any questions, you'll have time to ask for assistance.

SUB: ATTITUDE
Attitude is everything. Be firm, but friendly. Greet students with a friendly good morning as they walk through the door. Introduce yourself. Be a model of manners when talking with children. Use please, thank-you, sir, miss when you speak. Get to know their names. It makes children feel special when a sub knows their name. Plus it makes you more personable to the children. Then they will be more likely to adhere to the classroom rules. Follow the classroom rules, maintain discipline, and smile. Remain calm under pressure situations. Keep your voice level and professional. When you find yourself in a sticky situation, ask for help.

Whether you are subbing for the first time or hundredth, preparation will make your day go more smoothly. Understand that situations will occur and not every class will be perfect. But if you come with an optimistic attitude, warm smile, and be prepared for anything then you too will reap the indelible rewards of teaching.

Learn more about this author, CL Nelson.
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