Submitted by Caryn Mears, Kennewick, Washington

Idea posted September 9, 2005

I leave a very detailed letter that I have typed on my computer, and I change it for the day that I am going to be gone as far as the schedule. However, this doesn't always work for emergencies, so in my sub plan book I have the following items:

  1. A welcome letter. The letter includes the discipline program described, along with a description of what we do first, second, third, etc. It is kind of "Everything You Would Want To Know About The Music Room." It tells how to turn on the stereo; it tells them about the t.v. and VCR, etc. It also tells them where the seating chart is located.
  2. A seating chart. On the seating charts I have noted a student who is very responsible and can be called upon if they have questions.
  3. A copy of the schedule.
  4. A copy of the Fire Drill Procedures
  5. A copy of the Lock Down Procedures
  6. A copy of the Playground Evacuation Procedures
  7. A list of things that they can do. This includes several games and where they are located.
  8. A copy of old stand-by type songs and a CD to go along with it. (I'm in the process of making overheads to go with the CD.)
  9. Directions to where my music magazines are located.

I keep this all in a red folder next to all of my K-8 folders. It is the only red folder, and it says, "SUB FOLDER!" I make sure that there are things a non-music sub can do as well, which is play the games or use the songs with the CDs. Nothing is new to the students, so they can help the sub.