Prepare For A Stress-Free Sick Day!

by Elizabeth Van Allen for scribblesbyartteachervanallen.blogspot.com

The dilemma: should I come to school too sick to be effective or spend hours putting together student work that may not be given a second glance by the substitute teacher?   

I don't know many teachers who haven't faced that choice, and if an emergency comes up you won't even have time to prepare!  Leaving work for a substitute or guest teacher can be a seriously time consuming chore, especially when you teach art.  How do you ensure that projects won't be ruined and supplies won't be wasted when you aren't even there?  What information is appropriate to leave when you teach nine grade levels and see different classes every day?

The answer: take the time to put together a sub binder for those days when your classes will have what I call a "commercial break" from their regularly scheduled projects.  Here are step-by-step instructions that will bring you through the process as painlessly as possible. 

1. Make sub materials are easy to find.  
This includes extra paper and supplies.  If they can't be found, they can't be used!

2. Format
Your binder's format is essential, so make sure your instructions are simple and easy to read.  Some easy ways to do this are: a) to use a sans serif font, b) make sure the type is large enough for anyone to read, c) don't be too wordy, and d) make any divider tabs you use very clear and easy to read.

3. Welcome letter
Start with a brief welcome note that includes essential instructions and is easy to read.  Remember to include what supplies and areas of the room should (and should not) be used in your absence!  If you're not sure what this looks like, see the first picture at the top of the post.

4. Include important information like the daily schedule, emergency information, and basic information like how do use the phone system.  You might have to invest some time in re-formatting things like bell and/or class schedules.  Formats change from school to school and can be very confusing to people who are new to the building!

5. Use current seating charts that include the names of trustworthy student helpers.  Look at your seating charts with a critical eye.  If you were looking at them for the first time would they make immediate sense?  Keeping ease of use in mind, I created a completely different seating chart format for my sub binder.  Update it regularly and use a pencil.  You don't want to have to go through the hassle of using white out every time you change a seat!

6. Leave open-ended projects with simple directions that require minimal instruction. 

This 'Illustrated Captions' project requires minimal instruction and lets students use a lot of creativity and imagination!  The adult-in-charge writes a caption on the board (my stomach after lunch, things that come from eggs, the daydream I had in class, etc.), and the artists draw an illustration to go with the caption!  I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I found it on the incredible art department years ago!

 7. Work expectations for days when you are out into your beginning-of-the-year routine.  When you keep your students informed, they have no excuse for inappropriate behavior.  Pre-determine your helpers and let them know, and post rules for days when there is a guest teacher prominently in the classroom.  Bonus points or treats can also be rewarded for whichever class the sub names as most cooperative!

How do you ensure a stress-free day when life keeps you from getting to work?