Blog Activity #3

I chose to modify a substitute teacher template. The template provides a substitute teacher with instructions from the teacher on the running of your classroom. Once it is completed, a substitute teacher should have all the information necessary to run the class as you would. I chose this because if I, the teacher, was going to be absent I would want to feel comfortable and confident leaving my class in the hands of another teacher. This document would provide them with explicit and detailed instructions. I've had my fair share of substitute teachers that had absolutely no idea where things were or what the students should be doing. This is frustrating for the substitute teacher at the time and for the teacher when they return. I think something like this will help organized those days.

I modified a couple of the sections to model what I want my future classroom to be like. Some of the sections like resource locations and administrative contacts I could not fill out because those will vary by school and classroom. Also, the emergency drills might differ from school to school so this would be something I need to fill out after I was hired and settled into a teaching position. The weekly class schedule is a feature that would have to be updated weekly or if you, the teacher, know in advance when you are going to be absent can be completed for the specific days.

This would be applied when the teacher is absent. You can keep a general template of this saved on the computer and just alter it if you change schools or rooms. I would have a designated substitute teacher folder with a completed copy of the substitute teacher instructions document and a hand written note stating the specifics of what needs to get completed in regards to classwork. I would also designate a student I felt was responsible and trustworthy to help the sub out.

Substitute Teacher Instructions

h   Resource Locations   g
Class roster			Lesson plans		Teacher’s handbook/guidelines
School supplies			Audio/visual equipment		Teachers’ lounge
h   Administrative Contacts   g
Principal			Room number		Phone
Secretary			Room number		Phone
Nurse			Room number		Phone
Librarian			Room number		Phone
Music teacher			Room number		Phone
Art teacher			Room number		Phone
Gym teacher			Room number		Phone
Custodian			Room number		Phone
h   Classroom Policies   g
Water fountain	One child at a time; must take pass hanging by the doorway and return it when done
Hand washing	Done as a class before lunch and after recess
Restroom	Two can go at a time, one girl and one boy; must take pass hanging by the doorway and return it when done
Pencil sharpener	Located at teacher desk; only YOU can sharpen pencils
Illness	Send to nurse; nurse passes are in the top drawer and must be completed for any reason and every child

h   Managing the Classroom   g
Quiet signal		Buzzer button located on the end of teacher desk; press once for warning and twice for silence
Classroom rules		Posted under the whiteboard
Rewards
Caught being good				Sticker on behavior chart
Behavior				Reward
Fill-in a row on behavior chart				Pick from treasure box
Behavior				Reward
Behavior				Reward
Consequences
Off-task/disruptive				Color change
Behavior				Consequence
No progress on classwork				Loss of recess or free time; use time to complete work
Behavior				Consequence
Behavior				Consequence
h   Emergency Drills   g
Fire Drill
Exit to use
Destination
Location of evacuation diagram
Earthquake Drill
Instructions
Civil Defense Drill
Instructions

h   Weekly Class Schedule   g
Time	Monday	Time	Tuesday	Time	Wednesday	Time	Thursday	Time	Friday