First day!

[evergray514]

Hello all

My first subbing assignment is this Friday, and may I say I am excited/nervous/apprehensive/etc...

I've never had any formal experience working with kids. I have a large family (oldest of 9 children) but I don't know if thats enough to help me out.

I decided to sub A) because I needed a second job and extra money, B) teaching is something I am interested in and I felt this would give me a feel for it, and C) because I want to work in the Department of Juvenile Justice, and they require a year of experience working with children.

I signed up for k-12 just so I would have more offers, but I'd rather work w/ middle and high schoolers. I also wanted to work in my own county, but I can't get into the orientation until December so I'm working in the next county over where the school districts aren't as good.

As I said, my first assignment is this Friday, and its for an elementary school (I don't know what grade). Anyone have an advice for success or to get over the first day apprehension?

Thanks
Steve

 

[chteacher]

of course

1. get there 15 minutes earlier than they said to, find out where the bathrooms is, snack machine, etc., dress nice.

2. Read the lesson plan once through, then bit by bit as the day goes along. ask other teachers if you have a question.

3. Make sure you know how to call the office, and do not hesitate to send a child to the Principal. If you do straight off word will spread that you mean business and you will get more respect.

4. Let the kids guide you, they usually are reliable sources of info and they are used to being in the room!

5. Never be alone in a room with a student.

6. Never turn your back on the class, keep your eyes moving, watch for stuff they do with their hands inside their desks.

7. 5th graders are notorious for spit wads. And throwing stuff in general. Don't let them. Send out any suspects.

8. Get their cooperation by saying, "let's all work and if we get done early I will give you time to play a game" And then do reward when you can. Just little bits of time here and there. Silent Ball is fun. They can't talk, sit on their desks, and toss a ball. Most know it.

9. Carry your confidence with you, say stuff like, "I am in charge, what I say goes, you know the day is always different when you have a sub."

10. GEt the class to stuff ON TIME. Meals, busses, pull outs (tutoring), special classes that the class travels to, etc. Staff will be noticing how you do. Smile in the hallways!

Have fun, breath deeply, listen to them and LOOK into their eyes when they are speaking to you. Smile. Never yell. Laugh with them, do silly stuff like drop an eraser and laugh out loud. They will love you. good luck. Leave the teacher a short note how the day went. leave your #

(4 years successful sub)

 

[MikeRocode]

Minimize distractions...

"...2. Read the lesson plan once through, then bit by bit as the day goes along. ask other teachers if you have a question."


2A: Locate all the materials listed on the lesson plan. Mark the pages in any teachers edition books as indicated by the lesson plan.

Stack or line everything you're going to use in order so you're aren't distracted looking for them last minute.

If you're distracted looking for stuff at the last minute, that's the time the class is likely to take advantage.

 

[Tounces]

sub

You mean you don't have a teaching license?? How can you sub without one? I coulsn't image going into a classroom without one or any experience. If the state you live in doesn't require this then they should at least have a training program before you start-don't they? Sorry, I can't give you any sdvice but to look into training for subs in your district.

 

[MikeRocode]

No licence required...

No "teaching license" required in Calif. All you need is a 4yr BA or BS degree in any discipline and the $270 fee for the substitute teaching certificate.

The only training program is the one EverGray is about to take tomorrow.
OJT-001 (On the Job day one)

Good luck EverGray! Hope it's a good one.

Tounces, what are the requirements for subbing in your state? I'm curious.

 

[hindypo]

welcome to the sub world tounces!

Here in CA all you need to sub is a college degree, to pass the CBEST exam, and to get a TB clearance!

And I agree--it is terribly insufficient!

I am in my third of subbing and have had to pick up all my "training" by the seat of my pants.

And this board, as well!

Steve--if you are the oldest of nine, you should do fine...let us know how it goes!

 

[LynneLC]

Tounces...

In this state (CT) you only need a Bachelor's degree to become a Substitute Teacher. I have heard there are a number of states that do not require a Bachelor's degree, and there was at least one state for which you only needed a G.E.D.

I have a Master's degree, but not in Education. I had no experience with teaching before I became a Substitute Teacher, and there was no training or Orientation whatsoever. To this day, it still surprises me that they expect someone to do the job with no training at all, but somehow I, and many others, have made it work.

 

[SuperSub1919]

a post for newsub07...

what part of PA do you sub in?

pardon me if i've asked this before!

I'm in the Scranton Area.

 

[evergray514]

Maryland

It depends on the county, but I'm currently going to be subbing in Baltimore County, and hopefully by the first of next year I'll be subbing in Carroll.

All you need is a high school diploma.

I have my associates degree and am 1.5 years away from my bachelors.

They encourage those to apply w/ degrees or teaching certificates, and they offer them more money, but it's not required.

They are no training classes, the only training offered by BOTH counties is how to use the phone system.

 

[chteacher]

but he asked you guys for advice!

I am hoping you guys will add to this for the sake of our newbie. smile.

 

[SuperSub1919]

my advice...

bring these essential items...

1. a whistle (never know if you'll be in gym, or you need to get the attention of a very very rowdy class!)

2. band aids (kids need bandaids! They heal a multitude of maladies!)

3. a bunch of sharpened pencils (to avoid overuse of pencil sharpener)

4. time fillers (games, flashcards, a book to read aloud etc, in case you have extra time)


ALSO...these tips.
-Follow the teacher's discipline plan
-Have your own signal for quiet and teach it to the kids (flicking lights, hand clapping etc)
-Stick to the plans the teacher leaves for you!
-Leave the teacher a note about what you accomplished


And my biggest tip...that got me through my first day of subbing...
ACT like you have been teaching forever, be confident, the kids will not know the difference:-)

 

[LynneLC]

You are right chteacher..

The original poster did ask for advice and my previous post was only a response to another poster...

There are actually a number of threads on this board which have offered advice for the first time Substitute Teacher, so I would recommend reading through those threads as well.

One suggestion I have is if you're faced with a very loud classroom and you have already tried to get their attention to no avail, I loudly and firmly say, "I am going to need quiet in this classroom in five, four, three, two, one," and I count down with my fingers as I go. For some reason, this almost always works to get their attention.

Good luck!

 

[evergray514]

I Survived!!!!!!!!!

Day one went off without a hitch, for the most part. It was a little wierd because there was a teachers aide in the class just about the entire time with me, and she is more used to the way the actual teacher does things, so she went off on her own with the students at times. I kind of wish I could have done it all by myself, just to see if I could do it, but I did lose a little control at times so I guess it was a good thing that she was there.

Next Monday I sub for a 7th grade World Cultures class, which I think will be interesting. I'd definately probably do 2nd grade again, but I would like to see how it is working w/ older students who don't need their hand held constantly (hopefully, anyway)

 

[Augustus]

7th graders

"which I think will be interesting"
Yes, it will be.

Be on your toes...
Remember you are not alone, you have a phone.
If you give an inch, they will take a mile
Be quietly firm. Don't yell, smile.

 

[evergray514]

uh oh...

well I didn't mean interesting in THAT way, i meant in terms i subject matter...since its a World Cultures class...

O_o

 

[katiepotatie]

Regarding the aide in there...be thankful. Not all districts/classes have them, and they are a wonderful resource!!

Also, you should expect others to be in/out of your classroom throughout the day. Some situations:

-counselors pulling students because of a past incident
-teachers/counselors in the classroom observing a student
-staff stopping by to check on you
-parents in the room volunteering
-principals stopping by to see how everything's going (they do it for the regular classroom teachers as well)
-college students volunteering
-student teachers....some are in there a couple hours; some all day
-teachers coming into your room to work with small groups
-teachers coming in to pull kids for small group instruction
-teachers coming in to get something (maybe a shared printer in the room/shared supplies)
-full/part-time aides in the room to assist you

I'm glad your first day went well!

 

[Augustus]

Wow, you get all that?

-counselors pulling students because of a past incident
-teachers/counselors in the classroom observing a student
-staff stopping by to check on you
-parents in the room volunteering
-principals stopping by to see how everything's going (they do it for the regular classroom teachers as well)
-college students volunteering
-student teachers....some are in there a couple hours; some all day
-teachers coming into your room to work with small groups
-teachers coming in to pull kids for small group instruction
-teachers coming in to get something (maybe a shared printer in the room/shared supplies)
-full/part-time aides in the room to assist you

You get all that? Usually it is just me and the animals.

 

[katiepotatie]

Throughout the school.....yes, these happen daily. In a single classroom, in one day....it varies.

 

[MikeRocode]

Interruptions...

"...-counselors pulling students because of a past incident
-teachers/counselors in the classroom observing a student
-staff stopping by to check on you
-parents in the room volunteering
-principals stopping by to see how everything's going (they do it for the regular classroom teachers as well)
-college students volunteering
-student teachers....some are in there a couple hours; some all day
-teachers coming into your room to work with small groups
-teachers coming in to pull kids for small group instruction
-teachers coming in to get something (maybe a shared printer in the room/shared supplies)
-full/part-time aides in the room to assist you
"

I usually get all of these interruptions also.
One or two per day, never ALL in one day.