| Everyone gets those situations in life where | | | | if you ask them in your plans.Get this done |
| an emergency has come up, and you don't have | | | | early in the year, and you can save yourself |
| the time (or sometimes the ability) to get a | | | | many headaches later, not to mention worries |
| good lesson plan in to school for your | | | | about what will happen in your room if you |
| students. Maybe you have a family emergency | | | | are unable to be there.EMERGENCY LESSON PLAN |
| or a disrupted travel plan and you just | | | | IDEAS:Language Arts: Include short writing |
| cannot get into school to leave detailed | | | | activities involving students opinions. Thus |
| lessons. That is why it is essential for you | | | | they don't have to have 'background' |
| to have an emergency lesson plan available | | | | information, and they can write from their |
| and handy.The emergency lesson plan should be | | | | own experiences. Parts of speech review can |
| able to be used at ANY point in the year. It | | | | include mad-libs or easy, fun |
| doesn't have to fit in with what you're | | | | worksheets.Math: Leave a calculator activity. |
| currently doing (nor should it - it is to be | | | | These could even be puzzles or partner games. |
| used when you cannot leave normal sub plans). | | | | Or give review problems.Science: Copy a |
| The lesson should be related to your normal | | | | science article and have students read |
| curriculum, but it could be a supplement or | | | | carefully and answer questions. Make |
| an enrichment activity.Get a folder (or a | | | | speculations and use the scientific method. |
| three-ring binder), and label it | | | | Or have students create the plans for a lab |
| appropriately on the outside cover. There are | | | | activity.Reading: Leave students a copy of a |
| even folders you can purchase (some schools | | | | short story or article, and questions to |
| even make these available to teachers) | | | | answer. You could even set up a 'test-taking' |
| labeled 'sub folder' or 'emergency plans'. | | | | exercise, and discuss appropriate answers and |
| Also make sure you have an appropriate spot | | | | strategies.Social Studies: Map activities are |
| for your emergency folder on or in your desk | | | | great for emergency plans. You can even set |
| area. Some schools will ask you to keep an | | | | up a one-day unit on any area/region of the |
| emergency plan in the office. In either case, | | | | world, including your own town or |
| make sure it is easily accessible by a | | | | city.Everyone gets those situations in life |
| substitute teacher.Think about keeping class | | | | where an emergency has come up, and you don't |
| activities to 10 to 15 minute increments. | | | | have the time (or sometimes the ability) to |
| This way the sub will have better control of | | | | get a good lesson plan in to school for your |
| your kids. Students have difficulties | | | | students. Maybe you have a family emergency |
| adjusting to changes in their routines, and | | | | or a disrupted travel plan and you just |
| you don't want to have to return to | | | | cannot get into school to leave detailed |
| discipline referrals.Keep the information | | | | lessons. That is why it is essential for you |
| organized and easily accessible for a sub. | | | | to have an emergency lesson plan available |
| Remember, the sub won't know where you | | | | and handy.By Frank Holes, Jr.For this |
| normally keep things, and they can't read | | | | article, and more on teaching and education, |
| your mind. Spell out exactly what you want | | | | be sure to check out our website: |
| done, where it can be found, and what you | | | | |
| want done with it when they're finished.Make | | | | |
| sure you have made enough copies of any | | | | |
| worksheets so the sub doesn't have to. And be | | | | Frank Holes, Jr. is the editor of the |
| sure to leave answer keys. Many subs will | | | | StarTeaching website and the bi-monthly |
| actually even grade your assignments for you | | | | newsletter, Features for Teachers. |