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You are the Captain of the ship," according to Mr. Sturgeon, author of "Substitute Teaching: Tricks of the Trade." Your success or failure in the classroom depends on your ability to think on your feet. Most teachers prepare lesson plans in advance if they know they are going to be out, but what do you do when you come into a classroom and cannot find a plan? Here are some strategies to keep an even keel in the classroom.
Instructions
1. Make a survival kit. Get a roomy beach bag or briefcase, and stock it with all of the supplies listed in the Things You'll Need section. Why do you need a rubber chicken, you ask? Read on.
2. Arrive early. Be at least 30 minutes early for your assigned classroom. This gives you time to review any lesson plans or other notes the teacher may have left. Be sure to read the school rules, and become familiar with fire escape routes and emergency procedures.
3. Have something for students to do as soon as they enter the classroom. Direct their attention to the board. List the day's assignment in the textbook, and choose which questions you want answered, if the classroom teacher has not given any instructions.
4. Pass out a file card to each student, and have them answer questions drawn from current events. Have one or more copies of the day's newspaper available, or turn on the classroom computer and list several news sources for the students to examine.
5. Read a passage from a classic novel, and ask students to write an essay relating the book to their own life. Pass out trivia cards, and have students take turns reading one of the questions while other students write down their answers. Gather the cards and mix them up. Return the cards to students, being sure no one gets their own card. Have students read the answer to each question, giving points for each correct answer.
6. Play a game. Have a spinner, some dice and a rubber chicken in your bag. Play Pass the Chicken. Pass the chicken to a student and ask a question. The student passes the chicken to the nearest neighbor. The first student must answer the question before the chicken is returned to him or her after it has been passed around the room. Substitute a plastic pig or a squeeze ball for the rubber chicken if you prefer, but the chicken makes a great ice breaker if your students are dubious about you. A shared sense of humor moves you from adversary to ally.
7. Get physical. No, don't beat them, but do give them a beat to listen to. Turn on a radio, and get everyone on their feet. Do a few warm-up stretches, then some basic exercises such as neck rolls, waist rolls, toe touches, jumping jacks, windmills, arm circles and lunges. Once students have unkinked their muscles, get back to work.
Tags: rubber chicken, lesson plans, students write, Substitute Teaching
