Deciphering a Classroom

To pop into a classroom for a day or half day, a substitute teacher needs to be able to figure out how the classroom is organized as well as the routine in the classroom.  Written out agendas from the classroom teacher is extremely helpful!  In my experience so far, I have had these agendas on most of the days.  On a few of the subbing days, I have only had a post-it note.  Sometimes I only use the formal lesson plans.  Having a written agenda is most helpful to me because it has the most information included.

After finding and reviewing the plans for the day, I usually walk around the room looking for a class list (if one was not in a sub folder or agenda), lunch count and attendance routines, behavior chart(s), class helpers, and bus schedule for dismissal.  I also look for teacher manuals, worksheets and other materials.  I often find these things.  Sometimes I have a hard time finding the materials for the day: teacher manuals, worksheets and other materials.

Often another teacher nearby stops in to see if I am finding things alright.  That is very kind and helpful! The custodians are very nice and helpful too! They are usually in the building early, and I try to get to the classroom at least 40 minutes before the students are due in the room.  So I am there early too!

Of course, crazy things can happen!  One time, there were no plans at all in the room! The teacher obviously was not expecting to be out. The internet wasn't working in the school either.  Another teacher found plans from the previous week, so I at least had times and subjects.  We found a class newsletter for the week, and a specials list too.  Based on these things, I was able to come up with a plan for the day.  Luckily, after I had started the day, the teacher who was helping me was able to connect to the internet and printed off the agenda the teacher had emailed!  On another day, I couldn't find the science book with the desert pictures in it for the students to see during the science lesson.  During lunch and recess, I searched the many books in the room for one on deserts! I did find one and found a way to use it with the lesson!

A substitute teacher has to be ready for anything and be flexible to adjust to the ways of the school and the classroom!