Substitutes & A New Blog on the Block

I was out of the building today and my kiddos had a sub.  My kids pretty well behaved and I have a lot of helpful students this year. However, I still worry all day when I am out that my sub will either have a bad day due to a behavior issue, or, run away after seeing my OCD sub plans.  Since I am slightly a control freak when it comes to my classroom prone to worrying, I write everything out. Most of my subs always comment on how well organized everything is and they love it; but I can’t help but think that many must shake their heads and wonder who this crazy teacher is who not only writes out the times for each activity but post-it notes and labels every paper and printable as if the sub is literally illiterate. Hopefully, I have not offended anyone yet.  Fingers crossed. 

The week before spring break, I had to go home unexpectedly because I was sick with a sinus infection.  I didn’t have any emergency sub plans prepared and I was just lucky that my student teacher was there.  I realized how unprepared I was in the case of another emergency. 
I purchased Rachel Smith’s Substitute Survival Kit from her TPT store last week and put together a Sub Binder and Sub Tub that will always be available by my desk.  Basically – I finally got my act together and stopped putting this off. 🙂  It has been something I’ve wanted to do for awhile.  Click the picture below to purchase her pack.  It’s super cute!
Substitute Survival Kit
Now in my sub tub are copied, ready-to-go printables, read alouds, and a generic lesson plan that can be used in the case of an emergency on any given day of the year.  My binder also includes our daily schedule, class list, a copy of emergency forms, procedures for the morning, behavior management plan, allergy list,  and things such as who my helpful students are and students who may need extra help. I feel so much better knowing it is there in case I should ever need it!   Do most of you out there have an emergency sub plan ready to go? I suppose it’s better late than never! 🙂
Before I head off to bed, I wanted to introduce to you a new little blog on the block!  Her name is Meghan and she is an intervention specialist at my school.  She’s great!  My kiddos all love her and she is always doing what she can to put fun and creativity into her intervention lessons.  If you have a few extra minutes, head over to her blog and check it out!  She has an awesome Earth Day freebie that you need to grab! 🙂 I know she’d love some new blogging friends and followers.
Mrs. Barnes
Thanks so much for checking in! 🙂  Happy Learning,

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5 Comments

  1. I love Rachelle's things and it's a great idea to keep them all together in a folder or tub 🙂 I am still working on mine!!

    Cute blog, I am your newest follower 🙂
    Come check out my blog when you get a chance!

  2. I also purchased a sub emergency kit off of TPT a few days ago…I know, I know, it's almost the end of the year, and why should I even try to get organized? 🙂 Well…maybe I'll be able to use most of it for next year, right?

    I'm your newest follower! You can check out my blog at http://sweetiesinsecond.blogspot.com. I'm still learning!

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