Here are 5 tips to leave your room ready for an unexpected sick day.
You’ve managed to drag yourself through the day despite feeling lousy, but let’s face it—there’s no way you’ll make it back tomorrow to continue teaching. It’s time to do yourself (and everyone else) a favor: take the time you need to rest, recover, and stop spreading germs. The last thing you want is to stay late, prepping an easy lesson for the sub when all you really want is a cup of tea and your bed.
Everyone deserves to rest when they’re sick, without worrying about what’s happening in their classroom. These tips will help you return to class with a lower chance of walking into a disaster zone.
1) Art Supplies for a Sick Day
Don’t assume your sub knows their way around art supplies beyond basic coloring materials. Beware of the overly ambitious subs who might unleash the paint or other messy media on your unsuspecting classroom.
Leave out the art supplies you’re comfortable with the sub using, clearly marked on your art room map. I was fine with subs using pencils, erasers, markers, and crayons—so that’s what all my emergency lesson plans called for. If these supplies are easy to find and always in the same spot, students can help guide the sub in the right direction.
On the flip side, if there are supplies you don’t want the sub to touch, make them harder to find. A little “Do not use these supplies when I’m away” note inside the cupboard door can go a long way.
One of the biggest disappointments for an art teacher returning from a sick day is discovering ruined brushes or an almost-depleted stash of special media meant for a future project. Don’t assume anything—make it crystal clear which supplies are off-limits, and repeat it often. Hopefully, the sub will get the hint after seeing the reminders everywhere!
2) Sub Plans for a Sick Day
Don’t assume you’ll always have time to prep for a sub.
Leave a note on top of your open lesson plan book that says, “Substitute teachers, please DO NOT follow these plans. Find the SUB BINDER on my desk and choose a lesson for the day to do with all your classes.”
Leave this note EVERY NIGHT!
Take a few minutes to create a sub-binder that includes instructions, procedures, a map of the room and school, helpful names and numbers, and more. The quicker your sub can start preparing, the more confident they’ll feel when teaching your students.
Also, include a selection of easy one-day lessons that your sub can quickly prep and teach with confidence.
TIP: Have your sub note the date they taught a lesson right on the lesson plan page so the next sub doesn’t repeat it.
If the thought of making a sub binder gives you hives, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. You can download my Sub Binder and Lesson set, and you’ll be ten steps ahead already.
3) Buddies
Make it easy for your sub to get the help they need:
Let the office staff know your procedures for a sub. Leave them a note to hand to the sub before they even enter your room. This note can be the same one you leave on top of your lesson plans.
In your sub binder, list the names of the office staff and other teachers who are willing to answer questions.
On your seating charts, put a smiley face next to the name of a student who’s great at answering questions about procedures, like taking attendance or finding supplies.
4) Chocolate
Subbing is tough!
In your binder, leave them a dollar for a drink from the teacher’s lounge, or place a piece of chocolate with a thank you note on top of your sub binder.
A small gesture can make your sub’s day a little brighter!
5) Lower Expectations
You can provide your sub with a lesson that includes art terms and concepts so students are still learning while you’re away. But lower your expectations for everything to be neat and tidy or for lessons to be beautifully executed.
If the sub pulls this off, get their name and request them again!
Otherwise, be happy if students behaved, the room was left in a reasonable order, and the lessons showed students were engaged. I prioritized the students’ experience, and if they had a good time while I was gone, that made me happy.
However, if the room is left in shambles and the sub didn’t follow directions, don’t feel bad about letting someone know this person isn’t a good fit for your classroom. Not everyone is cut out to teach art.
You can play the video below to see my Sub Plan Binder in great detail. Even if you don’t use my resource, I’m sure it will give you some helpful information.
Conclusion
In the end, a little preparation can save you from the post-sick-day blues. Set yourself up for success by leaving clear instructions, limiting supplies, and showing a little appreciation for your sub. Expressive Monkey’s Sub Binder and Lesson Info will make this much easier!!
And remember—rest, recover, and return when you’re ready. The art room (and your students) will thank you!
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