Friday, March 1, 2013
Thinking about substitutes...
Yesterday we had a team meeting and we all had substitutes for the afternoon. I got to thinking... I wonder how many teachers tell their students when they are going to be gone, and how many don't. Now, I can count on one hand the number of days I've been gone this year, so I rarely have substitutes in my room. That being said, I have always been one to tell my students so that I can let them know my expectations when I am not there. So, weigh in if you would - do you tell your students when you will be gone? Why do you think that is a good idea? And if you do not tell your students, why do you think that is the best way to handle the situation. Just wondering...
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The few days I miss from school, I ALWAYS let my class know that there will be a substitute. I was a substitute for a year, so I briefly tell them about my experiences and clearly define my expectations for my students. And the reprecussions!
ReplyDeleteJoel Olson
4th grade teacher
Kasson-Mantorville Elementary
St. Mary's grad, all undergrad classes taken with, and frequent late nights at college with Ms. Lukes!
Mr. Olson,
DeleteThanks for contributing to this blog! I am with you - I always make sure to tell the students if I will be gone. I also let a couple of the more responsible students that they are in charge and this seems to work out well.
Happy Monday!
Ms. Lukes
As a Level III special education teacher, I always let my students know when I am going to be gone. In fact, we have a classroom social story that we read when I (or one of my associates) are going to be gone. The story talks about why one of us may be gone, that the sub may be a man or a woman and that they may do things differently and that is okay. It reiterates that the expectations and classroom rules stay the same. Additionally, I always try to get the same sub because she and my students know each other and things tend to go better when the sub is a familiar face. When I can tell the kids who will be there in the morning, it just gives them the extra support.
ReplyDeleteEven though all of my students have special needs, I think it is important for ALL students to know when a change is going to happen in their classroom. We, as adults, do better when we know something is going to be different. We should do the same for our students.
Mrs. Krumm,
DeleteYou have referenced "Social Stories" many times throughout our class together. Would you tell me a little more about them and how they are used in your classroom? Are these created by you or do you find them somewhere?
Thanks for your contribution!
Ms. Lukes
I do not tell my students. The reason -- my sub is a half-time teacher that is in my room and she just works an extra day. I am not sure the kids always realize I am not there :-).
ReplyDeleteThat is perfect for you - and for your students. When you say that the kids may not realize that you are gone, I think that is wonderful - only because it means that they are totally comfortable with the routines that you have created and are able to function without you! I think that is the greatest compliment to you, and to your sub!
DeleteThanks for contributing!
Hi Ms. Lukes! I am loving your blog! I must say that I do tell my students when I am going to be gone. I also inform the parents when I can. I feel like this helps them prepare for changes and it igves me a chance to go over what their day will look like without me there. It seems to have worked out very well for me this year. I have only had to be gone 4 times for meetings and have gotten VERY lucky to have the same substitute each time- which I think also helps. With kindergarten students- consistency is key! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right about consistency. In the first few years at my current school, I was lucky enough to have the same sub if I happened to have a meeting that required my absence. This year, it has been quite a challenge to get the same sub. Many of our regular subs have retired, so it is hard to find a consistent substitute. All of the responses have been relatively in agreement that it is wiser to tell the students and outline your expectations. I agree that this is best for the students.
DeleteThanks for contributing!
When I know I will be absent from the room, I always let the students know before hand. Like you, we review what the expectations are and how they should treat the guest teacher with the same respect they use with me. I also remind them that the sub may not do everything exactly the way I do and that is it okay. I subbed for six years before teaching full-time, so it is important to me that my students treat our substitutes with respect and consideration-it is not an easy job stepping into someone else's classroom.
ReplyDeleteMs. Reidy,
DeleteI like what you said about reminding the students that the sub may not do things exactly as you do them. That is something I have never done, so I will take that advice and tell my students that the next time I have a substitute! You are right - subbing is not an easy job and whatever we can do to make their lives easier will only help our students.
Thanks,
Helen