Student and substitute teachers face a similar set of challenges. Whether you are training to become an educator or accustomed to filling in for teachers at the last minute, it is crucial to be equipped with the right tools. This article will introduce you to key Alloprof resources that will make your job a little easier.
Being a substitute teacher is the ultimate test of adaptability. In addition to routinely working with new groups of students, you have to switch between different grade levels, take on whatever subjects you are asked to teach, fill in even when the regular teacher has not left a lesson plan or specific materials—the list goes on! Here are our top tips for a successful substitute teaching assignment:
Have everything you need ready to go the night before:
Directions to the school
A summary report template to fill out for the teacher
Various activities in case you are not given a lesson plan
Riddles, word search puzzles, bingo, colouring activities, etc.
Stickers or a stamp to use as rewards
A layered outfit since indoor temperatures can vary, or in case you are asked to supervise outdoor recess
Etc.
Arrive early (at least 30 minutes ahead) to familiarize yourself with the lesson plan provided by the regular teacher (if applicable) and to locate important areas of the school, such as the staff room and washrooms.
Find out the procedure for taking attendance and reporting absences to the secretary’s office.
Read over any important information for the day (e.g., calendar messages).
Do a short icebreaker activity to introduce yourself and connect with the students.
Clearly explain your classroom rules before getting started. Here are a few examples:
When it is someone’s turn to speak, the rest of the class should listen attentively.
Students must raise their hand if they have something to say.
You will answer questions only once you have everyone’s full attention.
When the class is over, write up a brief report for the teacher that summarizes how things went and leave any work completed by the students on the teacher’s desk.
Never leave your class unattended. In an emergency, you can contact the secretary’s office by using the school intercom or sending two students.
Establishing a rapport with your students is essential to get the day off to a good start. Icebreakers are a great informal way to introduce yourself and get to know your class a little bit. Here are a few examples:
Play Hangman to get students to guess something about you: your last name, a favourite hobby, etc.
Pass a die around the class and have students share a fun fact about themselves based on the number they roll: their favourite sport, favourite book, favourite dessert, etc.
Write a word or phrase on the board in code (e.g., A = 1, B = 2, C = 3) and have the class decipher it. Then, ask the students to each write their first name (or the name of their favourite animal, etc.) in code.
Ask the students to line up in alphabetical order (or in order of height) without talking and within a time limit (e.g., 2 minutes).
The Alloprof website is home to a vast library of concept sheets that can help you review material or prepare lessons on any topic covered by Quebec’s education program. Most of these concept sheets feature explanations, examples, and illustrations, and many include videos and exercises. You can project them on a smart board or, if the class has access to tablets, have students consult the pages individually.
Educational games are a central component of the Alloprof website. These fun activities are not only a terrific way to add variety to regular classes, but also a valuable resource for substitute teachers. The site also includes practical exercises, which allow for self-evaluation: students receive immediate feedback, which saves teachers the trouble of marking!
The collection of explanatory videos on Alloprof’s website is very popular with students, who can also visit our YouTube channel when they get stuck. There are many ways to use these videos in the classroom. One option is to project them on a smart board and pause at different points to interact with your students. Meanwhile, our Crash Courses (currently available at the high school level only) already encourage student participation with their built-in interactive questions.
The Alloprof Teachers site is brimming with resources designed to help you plan and jazz up your lessons. Use the “Printable tools” filter when browsing our resources to find inspiration for your teaching toolkit.