HTML Preview Substitute Teacher Lesson Plan page number 1.
Journal of Modern Education Review, ISSN 2155-7993, USA
January 2013, Volume 3, No. 1, pp. 8–13
Academic Star Publishing Company, 2013
http://www.academicstar.us
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Contingency Plans for Substitute Teachers
Marcus Lee Johnson
(Developmental and Learning Sciences Research Center, University of Cincinnati, USA)
Abstract: Though many K-12 educators will be asked to serve as substitutes at some point in their career,
literature concerning practical strategies for educators to employ when they are asked to substitute is scarce. The
typical substitute experience will often be guided by a lesson plan, however, there may come a time in which a
substitute teacher is confronted with the scenario of having to cover a course in the absence of both the homeroom
teacher and lesson plan(s). The nature and content of this paper involves descriptions of instructional strategies
that substitute teachers can employ should lesson plans not be available. Additionally, short stories of how some
of the strategies have been employed and brief explanations on why/how they can be effective are shared.
Key words: substitute teachers, lesson plans, contingency plans, substitute folder
1. Introduction
Whether it is today, tomorrow, or sometime in the next five years, many educators will be asked at some
point to serve as a substitute teacher for a class period, half a day, several days, or perhaps even long-term. For
some, substitute teaching is a full-time role and a position that contributes to a school’s day-to-day functions. For
others, it may be a fleeting role, one in which helps get a school out of a bind (i.e., being short handed), or one in
which helps a new educator get a “foot in the door” at a school.
More often than not, the subbing experience goes off without a hitch, primarily thanks to available lesson
plans and/or pre-planned folders designated for substitute teachers with lists of possible activities, rosters, and
protocols for classroom procedures (i.e., collecting materials, reporting misbehaviors, etc.). There will be
occasions, however, where many substitutes are likely to be thrown a curve ball. Perhaps they will be asked to sub
a class outside the area of their expertise; perhaps they will face a situation where lesson plans, textbooks, or even
instructional technologies are unavailable; or perhaps they are bound to sub at an unfamiliar school, with
unfamiliar students. Should you ever find yourself in any of the aforementioned predicaments, here are a few
contingency plans you may consider while subbing.
2. Finding an “Insider”
Locating a homeroom teacher’s substitute folder or lesson plan, can be like “finding a needle in a hay stack”.
If a teacher knows they will be absent, they will often leave lesson plans on their desk. In the event that a teacher
can’t make it to school due to an emergency, many have prepared substitute folders located in a visible area. In
rare circumstances, when neither a folder nor lesson plan is visible, feel free to ask for help. You can likely find at
Marcus Lee Johnson. Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Educational Studies; research areas: motivation, educational psychology.
E-mail: [email protected].