You need a Sub Tub if you have dragged yourself to work when you were not feeling well just so you could avoid having to write sub plans.
Or if you are a mother like myself, there have been numerous times where one of my three sons suddenly developed a fever after having a simple cold. In these situations, it is impossible to know to plan ahead for a substitute.
In the past, I have had to bundle up a sick child in snowy Buffalo and take them to work with me in the morning just so I could take the day off to care for them. Nothing worse than mother’s guilt… and as a second runner up, not being there for your students.
No more worries!
No more stress!
The Sub Tub was created to alleviate this stress and guilt.
Suggestions of What to Include in Your Sub Tub
Writer’s Workshop
In the Writer’s Workshop section, I like to prepare writing prompts ahead of time. The Editable Writing Prompts and Publishing Papers allows me to whip up a batch of writing prompts in advance.
You can prepare a writing prompt to compliment a mentor text to inspire creative thinking for a personal narrative. If your students love to write nonfiction you can also prepare writing prompts to support what the students learn after reading a nonfiction text. Another great tip is to use read alouds that support character education.
Here are a few examples of what you can include in The Sub Tub:
Reader’s Workshop
In the Reader’s Workshop section you can simply place an anthology of fables, fairy tales or short stories. This will allow the substitute to choose a story of their liking to read aloud to the class. Ask them to leave a sticky note with the date so that when another teacher uses your Sub Tub, they will not read the same story twice. You can see an example of this in the photo below. This is an effective way to manage read aloud lessons with very little prep!
In your Reader’s Workshop plans, ask your substitute to discuss simple story elements such as characters, setting, problem and solution. Include a simple story map that can be used for any story so the class can complete it together. After the written work is completed, reading partners can practice retelling the story using the story map.
Social Studies & Science
If you are like me, you can never get to all the Scholastic News magazines that are delivered to your classroom every month. Provide your substitute with your login and password so they can access the online features of Scholastic News. If you are not comfortable providing that personal information, the magazines always come with a large version of each set.
Your substitute will thank you if you include lessons in The Sub Tub that offer them the opportunity to utilize their own creative lesson delivery strategies. In addition, they can choose which lessons to teach based on their own comfort zone.
If you would like to download the tab dividers and storage label featured in the photograph of the Sub Tub, visit my TpT store:
The Organized Sub Tub: Stress Free Substitute Teacher Plans
Need a Behavior Plan for your Sub Tub?
Substitute Teacher Behavior System using Class Dojo
or pin it for later:
If you’re like me, you consider teaching a form of art. Having taught for 20 years, I have created many teaching resources, and here at The K Files, I would like to share them with you.
As a mother of three boys and a “school mom” for my students, it is my belief that the classroom is a “home away from home”.
From my home away from home….
…to yours.
This is great! There have been way too many morning where I'm typing plans at 6:00 am because my little one had a fever! I'm definitely going to be implementing a Sub Tub for the coming school year. :)
I have been there and it's the worst. Sometimes I would go to work myself when I was so sick bc making sub plans was so much work. I love this and have a sub tub of my own but not as nice as yours. We should create a bundle of lesson plans that could be used k-5. I have general plans made us for grades 2-3 which I am sure could adapt them to lower and upper grades. Thanks for sharing your sub tub!!!
Love it! I had a sub tub when I was in the classroom and those days I did have to be out-it made it so easy!
That is an awesome idea, Christine! Collaboration at its finest! Summer project?
It's nice seeing collaboration! Plan ahead is the best way to have rest.
As a future principal I think this is a great way for teachers to always be prepared. I’m adding it to my list of things to help teachers with.
Kathleen, just by your comment, I just know, you are going to be an awesome principal! Teachers need a principal’s support and understanding. …And approval.
Teachers are just like our students, we thrive on positive reinforcement and rise to meet high expectations when praised.
Preparing a sub tub is not an excuse for calling in sick… but a valuable tool for when an unexpected “something” comes up. Teachers are human too! We have kids, and newbie teachers are building up their immune system. We get sick too!
Thank you for your comment. As a “veteran” teacher, I am thankful for your support! <3
This is me! Trudging out of bed at 6am with a sick child (or sick myself) just to get plans together. Nope, not anymore. I’m going to get started on this ASAP. Love it.
Sadie! I have 3 boys … until I created the sub tub, sick days were hectic mornings. I’m so glad you’re inspired to create your own. You won’t regret it! ❤️