Lesson Plans for Substitutes
I always like to add extra bells and whistles to the lesson plan if I have a substitute instructor for the day. A little fun guidance, what works well, what they should stay away from. A lot of times I think it puts them at ease with the task in front of them.
It is really hard to step into the middle of a course and not know what has been covered and not covered. If you are organized, you don't have to go back and recover any subject that may have been missed. It is so much easier to have a plan in place so if you know you have to have someone else "jump in".
I also agree. I prepare lesson plans in outline form so substitute can use the main headlines as a simple plan but more detail is provided if they wish to make use of it. Outside resource locations are also provided so they may add interest to the class.
Usually when I am not going to be around, I leave an explicit leason plan as to what the substitute should cover and I also include that the substitute should give the students a quiz based on the materials covered.So the substitute tells them at the beginning of class to expect a quiz at the end of class.This ensures that the students listen to the substitue and co-operate with him.
I agree. While I may try to simplify the tasks for the day for the sub, I also include every detail I can for them (page numbers, time mgmt expectations, even sometimes, student quirks).
I have a notebook for every class I teach that I use that is labeled by the day.
Day 1 ECG's/Chapter 3, Day 2 CC's/ Chapter 8 and so on. I use page protectors and write on the sheet, My objectives, everything I lecture about, what pages in the student textbook they need to start on, copies of any handouts, and how I want the students to document in their patient charts. I even have pages for test days with the review and test that they will be taking.
I was out last week for 5 days and the sub had everything she needed to successfully teach my class the same way I do. It was nice to return and have everything completed, all lectures covered, a happy class and happy sub instructor.
Beth Julsaint
I agree with this. My lesson plans are simple to the point and cover exactly what needs to be done during a time period when I have a substitute. Reason being is that everyone has their own little nuances that they bring into the classroom, and what works for me, may not work for someone else.
I always keep typed lesson plans and substiture work available in case of an emergency. I do not like to go into a classroom and start revising whatever another instructor has performed therefore I would not want to put someone else in that position either
Great idea, and very helpfull. I had a to cover a class with 1 day notice. Simple lession plans and using applicable videos worked fantastic.Question and answer session helped as well.
Dara,
I agree with this method. In addition, I feel that it is important to have two sets of "substite plans" available (in cases of an unplanned absence); one set for an instructor that is credentialed in the subject matter and is able to deliver a lecture and another set for an instructor that is not credentialed. In cases of unplanned absences, class coverage is based upon instructor availability.
Tremayne Simpson
Dara,
I agree with this method. In addition, I feel that it is important to have two sets of "substite plans" available (in cases of an unplanned absence); one set for an instructor that is credentialed in the subject matter and is able to deliver a lecture and another set for an instructor that is not credentialed. In cases of unplanned absences, class coverage is based upon instructor availability.
Tremayne Simpson
I try to keep a lesson plan that is substitute-only. It's a project or a game or an activity that does not require the substitute to do a lot of outside work to get up to speed with the class. I also use this extra lesson plan when the term falls in a way that gives us an extra day. Or, I use it if I get ahead and need an additional lesson plan. If I don't end up using it by the end of the term, I try to pull the best elements of it in to other lesson plans as time permits.
I absolutely agree, and when I have a subsitute for one of my classes, I give a very detailed plan...there's no time to waste (especially since our institution has cut the timing of our classes to the point that, with holidays and the like, often the number of in-class hours we have with our students is less than the number of contact hours listed on our syllabus and required by our accrediation, with the onus of making up that time on the instructor), and just because I'm gone for the day/week doesn't mean that it's a "blowoff" session.
Strangely, most of the time when I substitute for another teacher, I am given exactly nothing to do. I'm not sure if that's a reflection of their faith in me (or lack thereof), but I find myself perplexed as to how the other teachers manage to make their course schedules work like that. interesting.
I try to keep my lesson plans simple for anyone that is covering my class, I dont want them to feel overwhelmed and confused.
Benita,
I agree. In addition, the students typically appreciates a substitute instructor, that has knowledge about the class.
Tremayne Simpson
Being put into the substitute instructor position a few times I whole heartedly agree with your apporch. As a substitute you are not aware of the students learning styles. Having the guidance from the main instructor is a positive. It keeps the class moving forward and it lets the subtitute relax and bring alittle bit of thir own flair to the class without compromising the subject or the students ability to learn.
Darren,
This is a great method for providing lesson plans for substitutes. In the past, I have also provided ideas that enable them to practice some autonomy in their delivery of the lesson. Lesson plans that are too detailed, may make them feel that they are not able to "teach" during the session.
Tremayne Simpson
