How To Write Sub Plans ONCE For The Entire Year

Writing sub plans is almost more work than just coming to work, am I right? Sub plans can be daunting and take lots of time to create and prep. For years I had one template that I used all year. Of course, I still had to spend time adjusting it for the day or specials that came up. Plus it was trusting someone to teach my students the way I do. Most of the time I would have to reteach anyway. The subs were great, but no one can replace you! I have tried sub binders, emergency plans, asked colleagues and still sub plans were A LOT OF WORK. Let me show you how to write sub plans ONCE for the entire year!

Why did I create the sub tub? Picture this It’s the beginning of the year and we were going back full time in person!! YAY! Guess what? I got COVID and had to be out the first week of school. Did I have anything planned or ready? NOPE! I was planning to do it the week we came back before students started. PANIC! I am a fairly organized, hardworking, and liked to be planned ahead of time. When principal asked if I had emergency sub plans, you can only imagine how I felt in that moment. I knew I needed something else.

I decided to download a free sub binder and customize it with a class list, behavior and procedure page, important phone numbers, rainy day schedule, and a weekly agenda. You can download it here for FREE! I also have an agenda and each subject broken down with a small paragraph on how we do it and what to do. Basically, it just says a sentence about our routine then says pick a worksheet from the ______ section. You can grab a copy of it here. You will need to update the binder once a year with your new class information. Still seems like nothing special right? Keep reading!!

I have it organized in a file tub. Each subject outlined in the binder has its own file folder that is labeled. The binder goes in the front. During the week when I have a worksheet or activity that I didn’t get to, instead of putting it back in my file cabinet for next year (you know you will never use it), I put it in the right folder in my sub tub. Each quarter I clear out the papers so that the content is relevant. The beauty of this is when you have a sub, it is nice to have them review what you have already taught instead of having them try to figure out how to teach new lessons.

I leave my sub tub out at ALL times. That way when I have to be out for the day unexpectedly or leave for any reason, it is ready to go. I cannot tell you the relief it is to not have to plan for a sub. You can customize it however you want. I even have some fun games in certain subjects that they only get to play with a sub. Substitutes have loved it and my teammates are using this too! It has been a game changer!

Need the supplies for your SUB TUB?