Substitute Teacher & Emergency Plans: Ready-Made Worksheet Lesson Plans

Introduction: The Sub Plan Crisis

Teacher reality: You wake up at 6 AM with the flu. You need a substitute on short notice, but you're too sick to think straight, let alone create quality lesson plans.

6:00 AM: Wake up with flu
6:15 AM: Call for sub
6:30 AM: Try to write lesson plans (feeling terrible)
7:00 AM: Give up, leave generic "have them read" note
Result: Wasted school day (sub doesn't know what to teach)

Solution: Pre-made emergency plans created when you're healthy and thinking clearly.

Emergency Sub Plan Binder

Keep a physical binder in your classroom that any substitute can grab immediately and follow without confusion.

Binder Contents

✓ Seating chart (labeled with names)
✓ Daily schedule (times for each subject)
✓ Behavior management system (class rules, rewards)
✓ Special needs students (accommodations list)
✓ Emergency procedures (fire drill, lockdown)
✓ Helpful students (reliable students sub can ask for help)

Morning:
- 8:30-9:00: Morning routine + attendance (sub does independently)
- 9:00-9:30: Math worksheet (30 problems, answer key included)
- 9:30-10:00: Word search (vocabulary from current unit)

Mid-day:
- 10:00-10:30: Reading (independent reading + comprehension worksheet)
- 10:30-11:00: Recess
- 11:00-11:30: Coloring page (calming activity)

Afternoon:
- 11:30-12:00: Lunch
- 12:00-12:30: Science word search (current science unit terms)
- 12:30-1:00: Crossword puzzle (academic vocabulary)
- 1:00-1:30: Math puzzle (critical thinking, engaging)
- 1:30-2:00: Free choice: Drawing lines, coloring, or independent reading

Dismissal: 2:00 PM

Note to sub: "All worksheets have answer keys in Section 5.
Students should check own work when done."

Self-Explanatory Worksheets

Key principle: The substitute doesn't need to teach new content. Everything should be review and practice of familiar concepts.

Clear Instructions on Worksheet

Put all instructions directly on the worksheet so the sub doesn't need to explain anything:

Name: _________________ Date: _______

DIRECTIONS:
1. Solve each addition problem
2. Show your work
3. Check your answers with the answer key (on teacher's desk)
4. If you get 8 or more wrong, ask the substitute for help
5. When finished, place in the turn-in basket

Expected time: 30 minutes

Sub-friendly: Instructions ON worksheet means the sub doesn't need to explain anything—students can work independently.

Familiar Activity Types

Use worksheet types students already know and have practiced:

Behavior Management for Subs

Challenge: Students often test boundaries with substitute teachers.

Solution: Clear expectations + engaging work = fewer behavior problems.

Pre-Written Note to Students

Include this note in your sub plan to set clear expectations:

Dear Class,

I'm out today, but I expect you to show our substitute teacher
the same respect you show me. Here's what I expect:

✓ Follow all class rules
✓ Complete all assigned work
✓ Help the substitute if they have questions
✓ Be kind and respectful

I will ask the substitute for a report when I return. Students
who meet expectations will earn [reward]. Students who don't
will [consequence].

Have a great day!
[Teacher name]

Accountability: Students know you'll follow up, which motivates better behavior.

Engaging Work (Prevents Boredom)

Boredom = behavior problems

Strategy: Mix easy + challenging + fun activities throughout the day:

Morning: Standard math (familiar, builds confidence)
Mid-morning: Word search (game-like, engaging)
Before lunch: Coloring (calming, low-stress)
After lunch: Crossword (moderate challenge)
End of day: Math puzzle OR free choice (motivating finish)

Result: Students engaged (less time for misbehavior)

Content-Aligned Sub Plans

Ideal: Sub plans should review current content, not just be random busywork.

Creating Aligned Plans Monthly

Generate sub plans based on September content:
- Math: Addition/subtraction review (skills taught in Sept)
- Vocabulary: September spelling words (in word search/crossword)
- Science: September science terms (in word search)

Result: Even with sub, students practice relevant content

Update sub plans:
- Math: Multiplication (October focus)
- Vocabulary: October words
- Science: October unit terms

Replace September sub plan worksheets with October versions
Time: 10 minutes to generate 5 new worksheets

Ongoing: Update sub plans monthly so they always match current curriculum—this keeps learning on track even during your absence.

Generator Time-Saving for Sub Plans

Creating 3 days of complete sub plans with worksheet generators:

Generation Time Breakdown

Math worksheet: 42 seconds
Word search (vocabulary): 42 seconds
Reading comprehension: 42 seconds
Coloring page: 42 seconds
Science word search: 42 seconds
Crossword: 42 seconds
Math puzzle: 42 seconds

Total: 294 seconds (4 minutes 54 seconds)

Days 2-3: ~5 minutes each

Last-Minute Emergency Plan (Digital)

Scenario: You're sick at 5 AM, can't come in, and have no time to prepare anything.

Google Classroom Emergency Folder

Set up this digital backup in August and never worry about zero-notice absences:

Folder: "Emergency Sub Plans"
Contents:
- Sub Plan Day 1.pdf
- Sub Plan Day 2.pdf
- Sub Plan Day 3.pdf
- Answer Keys.pdf
- Instructions for Sub.pdf

Sub: Gets login from office, accesses folder, follows plans
Students: Already trained to check Google Classroom for assignments

Result: Even with zero-notice absence, learning continues

Differentiation in Sub Plans

Challenge: A substitute can't differentiate instruction like you can.

Solution: Pre-differentiated materials that students self-select.

Tiered Worksheet Bins

Bin 1 (Blue): Modified worksheets
- 10 problems instead of 20
- Picture support
- For: Struggling students

Bin 2 (Green): Standard worksheets
- 20 problems
- Grade-level
- For: On-level students

Bin 3 (Red): Challenge worksheets
- 30 problems
- Complex applications
- For: Advanced students

Note to sub: "Students know which color bin to take from.
They will self-select appropriate level."

Result: Differentiation happens automatically
(no sub decision-making needed)

Long-Term Absence Planning

Scenario: You need to be out 2+ weeks for surgery, maternity leave, or family emergency.

Extended Sub Plan System

Generate 10 full days of lessons (50+ worksheets)
Organization:
- Monday Week 1 folder (all materials)
- Tuesday Week 1 folder
- ...
- Friday Week 2 folder

Long-term sub: Opens Monday folder, finds everything needed
Time to create: 2-3 hours (one weekend to prepare 2 weeks)

Benefit: Teacher can focus on recovery
(not worrying about classroom)

Sub Feedback Form

Include a feedback form so you know what happened during your absence:

Substitute Teacher Report

Date: _________ Substitute: _____________

CLASS BEHAVIOR:
Overall: ☐ Excellent ☐ Good ☐ Fair ☐ Difficult

Students who were particularly helpful:
_______________________________________________

Students who struggled with behavior:
_______________________________________________

LESSON COMPLETION:
Morning lessons: ☐ Completed ☐ Mostly ☐ Partially
Afternoon lessons: ☐ Completed ☐ Mostly ☐ Partially

What worked well:
_______________________________________________

What was challenging:
_______________________________________________

NOTES FOR TEACHER:
_______________________________________________

Thank you! [Teacher name] appreciates your hard work
with our class.

Teacher follow-up: Address behavior issues and acknowledge helpful students when you return.

Train Students for Sub Days

Preparation: Teach students how to behave with substitutes in September.

Teacher: "Sometimes I'll be out and we'll have a substitute.
Here's what I expect:"

Role-play:
- Student volunteers as "sub"
- Class practices:
  * Following instructions from sub
  * Getting worksheets from correct bin
  * Asking sub for help appropriately
  * Cleaning up at end of day

Practice run: "Today we'll pretend it's a sub day"
Students: Follow the emergency sub plan as practice
Result: When real sub comes, students know routine

Manual creation: 63 × 40 min = 2,520 min (42 hours!)
With generators: 45 minutes
Time saved: 41.25 hours

Conclusion

Quality sub plans maintain 90% of regular learning effectiveness (Weems & Rogers, 2007)—preparation prevents wasted school days.

Every teacher needs emergency plans—prepare when healthy, use when sick.

Research Citations