Any advice on being a better sub. teacher?

Question

I forgot to give them their h.w. It got a little noisy. There were several unknowns to me on the way things are supposed to be done.I didn't completely understand the lesson plan,and it seems like everyone had to use the bathroom the whole day. They are first grade. Help Please!

Answer 1

The next time you will do better. I usually introduce myself to the kids, some background info, enough that they can see I am a normal person and have a background in education. As to the bathroom, one at a time, have them sign out. Tell them you will give their regular teacher the list to see who was abusing the privilege. Also usually after 5 minutes you can pick out a "trustworthy" student in class who will answer your questions about classroom routine honestly. Use him or her.

Answer 2

Show them that you are the boss! Students take advantage of subs that cannot control the class and dont assign work. Set rules and send bad behaved students to the office. Do not be mean but make sure students are quiet, and doing work. Only allowed students to go to the bathroom once a day and one at a time. If a child is in the bathroom for more then 5 minutes then go and check on them, as they are probably getting into trouble or using it as a social time. Come to school at least 15min early to get used to the classroom and review the lesson plan. If you dont understand it you will have time to go to the office and get it clarifyed. A good way to make sure students know what there homework is write a slip or have them write a slip of what the homework is and then hand it out. Remember that you are the teacher and no students have any right to miss behave or disrespect you. Always write down names of students that are not behaving and they will get severe punishments when the teacher comes back.

Answer 3

Considering they are only in the first grade not a lot. Noise is always common when sub. teachers come in, and you are allowed your occassional slip up with homwork. Perhaps give them lollies if they are good or bribe them into doing work.

Answer 4

I used to hate subs that would openly admit they didn't have a clue about the subject - "I know nothing about ___, I usually teach ______" ...They're just opening themselves up for trouble. Please don't do that.

Answer 5

1. acknowledge your mistake and don't forget next time

2. ask the students to use "indoor voices," otherwise discipline them appropriately

3. if you don't understand the lesson plan, don't teach it. you don't want to confuse the students

4. limit the # of times students may use the bathroom

if students become a problem, there is no one like mom and dad to set them straight

when teaching youngsters, it is important to quickly establish a sense of authority. otherwise, they will easily take advantage of you. make sure they understand the consequences of bad behavior.

Answer 6

put some "strict" (but not rude) rules within the classroom, like--

1.  you are going to teach lesson for that hour, and they need to listen becoz you will give them quiz afterward

2. whenever they misbehave, they will be given an unexpected recitation of the topic...

3. when they are noisy, ask them to get a sheet of paper and write to it why they are doing it...and ask them to write also what will be their parents reaction if they (parents) will know they (students) are not giving attention to a teacher.

also...

- make fun with them, make your teaching worthwhile with "favor and discipline" method.  those who behave, they will be given favor (think of any, small things they will appreciate since they are still kids) and those who misbehave--discipline..

- appreciate the littlest good things they can do so they will be encouraged more to do good.

- when there is nothing to do, on spare time, talk with them--and let them tell their stories, about their families...inter-act with them, treat them as adult... that is what we called "respect"...they will love you for that.

I am once a sub.teacher...but in college. they become my friends.. how much more with kids?

Answer 7

just think of the kids and what you planto do to help them learn things better

Answer 8

forgot to give them their hw: well, chalk that one up to inexperience; you will get it next time.  the way things should be done: call the teacher on his/her cell phone.  lesson plan: get their a few minutes earlier; call teacher on cell phone; call the other teachers who are teaching the same grade and subject; bathroom breaks:  tell them to wait five or ten minutes: some of them will forget, because they just want to go out; take the whole class at the same time for a bathroom and water break (especially after lunch);  class got noisy:  make your own seating chart when you take role: students do not respond when they do not hear their name;  knowing their name gives you a lot of power, and also shows them you care.

Answer 9

Get to the classroom at least 15-30 minutes before the day begins and you have to pick up the kids or open the door for them.  This way you can go over the lesson plans, check the teacher's guides and get an idea of what you have to do with them during the day.  If you dont' understand something then ask one of the other teachers nearby (usually next door- same grade) if they can help you with what you dont' understand or are unsure of.  Even in 1st grade you will have students who know how things are done and who will help you.  There are ALWAYS a few who will be helpful, especially at this age.  Have stickers for those who are on task and praise those who follow directions. "I like the way 'Johnny' is sitting quietly", "Thank you, so-and-so for doing such and such". You will be amazed at how fast little ones, even the boys, will settle down when they see rewards (even as small as stickers) being given out.  Remember that young ones have very short attention spans, especially when it comes to sitting still listening to a story on the floor or working on things.  If they get too antsy you can always stop, have them all stand up and get the "wiggles" out.  I have done this will kids of all ages (up to 6th grade).  Have them stand up (tell them they have to stay in their own space), then give them commands like " stand on your tippy toes, reach for the sky, wiggle your fingers/hands/arms/shoulders/body/legs/e... and be sure you do it with them so they see how you want them to control themselves.  Then after they have wiggled it all out tell them "now sit down".  Usually kids flop down and you can go on with the lesson/story.  10 minutes is usually the longest (if they can make it that long) that young ones can sit still.  Keep instructions short and simple.  

As for the bathroom, if you have a lot of kids asking to go at the same time, then take a break and walk them all to the bathroom together as you do not want to say no then have one have an accident.  Have them line up and let 2 boys and 2 girls go at a time, when one comes back allow the next one to go.  

Go over their classroom rules and let them know what you expect from them right from the start.  One trick for the bathroom too is to walk them to the bathroom before you let them go out to the playground at recess or stop at the bathroom on the way back in.  One of my rules was always "Go to the bathroom during recess" and "if you ask to go the bathroom within 30 minutes of coming in from recess then you own me time".  This usually works unless there is a child with special bathroom needs then they get to go whenever.  The teacher should leave notes of who are good helpers, who goes to other classes /gets pulled for extra help/etc... and anyone with special needs (bathroom, office for meds, etc...).  

The big thing for a lot of teachers is to get as much done as you can during the day.  Most I know put down more than enough stuff to do to keep them busy.  If you find that you have extra time at the end of the day, then you can read stories, take them out to play, etc...  Just be sure you leave enough time for them to clean up at the end of the day and to pass out anything that needs to go home (HW, notes from the office/teacher, etc...).  

Most IMPORTANT thing......... Leave a Note!!! I know many subs who have not written a note at the end of the day or who have not notated what they got done on the lesson plans itself.  I tended to do both.  I would check off what we got done in the allotted time and note why we didn't get something done.  Sometimes I left a very detailed note and other times i kept it short.  If i knew that they would be having a different sub the next day (if i was unavailable for multiple days) then i would leave a detailed note to let them know what we did, where we left on something (so they could pick up with it the next day) and any other information I thought would be helpful.  Leave the names of students who were good and who caused problems as well as what you did/the consequences so the teacher hears from you about any incidents.  

Kids are notorious for saying "but Mr/Mrs/Miss So&So lets us do this..........."  Just follow your gut and if it's something you aren't sure about, play it safe and just put it simply to them "well, you can do that when Miss/Mr./Mrs. comes back/is here but/and this is the way i want to do it".  

Good Luck and HAVE FUN with it.

Answer 10

there's really nothing you can do subs have to take a lot of b.s.

Answer 11

u need to be strict, sucks and you don't want to, but it is the only way on how to let them behave. Make a deal with them as well say if you do this, then i will do this for you. Try not to be there friend though, first graders can get out of hand believe me...so you need to be strict on them.

Answer 12

Teaching someone elses lesson can always be tricky you can only do the best you can and be prepared with a substitute lesson incase it goes belly up.

Try to find books for substitute (relief) teachers these usually have lots of ideas for short lessons you can use, we have the in Australia so I would guess there would be some where you are or you could be creative begin a story and have student tell/write or act depending on age group the next part or the end of the story. Write a letter or poem to a character. Have a couple of maths games like adding 5 dice or multiplying 3 dice. There is no need to have a stressful day.

Best wishes.

Answer 13

First grade is the worst;  I would suggest subbing in a little higher grade.  4th and 5th are ideal.