First sub job!!!!

[bell5]

Hello,
I am new to the boards and totally new to subbing. I have my first job this Friday. I will be subbing all day for a first grade class. I know I will do fine but I am a little nervous. I ordered some books but none of them will be here until next week, I hope. Any advice on what I can do to prepare or what to expect? I printed off some worksheets just in case the lesson plan doesn't take up all the time. School starts at 8:50a, but my assigned time to come in is 8:15a. That should give me enough time to go over the lesson plans and try to figure out how my day will go. Do any of you prepare nametags? I am assuming it will help me learn the names of the kids. Any advice on what I should take with me? I bought lollipops and made certificates to hand out at the end of class to those students who perform well. Is that a good idea? I know, it's the first day jitters. I have kids twins in the first grade and another child in 9th grade. I know I shouldn't be nervous, but I am a little. What books have some of you purchased. I hope the ones I bought will be helpful.

Thanks for any advice

 

[Elaine]

Good luck!

You sound like you have really prepared yourself for this. You will do fine, especially having children that age at home - you'll be more in tune with the students.

Many elementary classes have the students' names on their desks. For me, that's better than a seating chart (and they are often out of date). Seems to me that nametags might add just another thing to your day? I don't know though....

I haven't read any books, other than teacher manuals. However, I have found that this board is a wealth of information. Check through the posts and you will find some very good advice here.

Let us know how it goes!

 

[mme NPB]

You do sound as if you are prepared for the day. It also helps if you know a little song or a quick game if you need to fill some time while waiting for another activity to begin. I personally always bring name tags for the younger (grade k-4,5) kids as I find it far easier to manage the class whan I can actually call them by name. Names on the desk only work if they are at their desks. I buy ones from an office supply store on a roll and try to pre-cut them if there is time or just do them first thing when they are at their desks. I find grade ones very cute but very busy and it really helps to review the plans well so that you do not have to constantly look back at them during your day as there isn't the time.The treats and certificates are a good idea. The kids really like having something to work toward. Good luck!

 

[LurkerTammy]

Yay!

Congrats on your first sub job! I've been subbing for a month now, and I was also jittery beforehand. It isn't clear if you have been prepared as a teacher (practicum experiences/student teaching), or if this is your first time in front of a classroom. Either way, I'm sure you're ready!

Like the above posters, I agree that you seem very well prepared for the day. I usually show up well before the scheduled time to look over the plans and figure out EXACTLY where everything is.

A few things that I have found to be helpful:

If there's a video, I spool it up before school starts so you aren't standing there like an idiot trying to figure out what channel to be on.

Tell students that when you need help you are looking for a "Quiet hand" to help you. This will prevent 18 students shouting that you're doing something wrong/different. Personally, I wont respond to the students who are shouting out and call on the quiet ones as if I can't hear the shouting out. It works.. and I make a point to call on the normally shouting ones any time I catch them with their hand up.

I like to tell students (particularly younger grades) that I have to leave a note for their teacher about how they behaved. I like to have them give me ideas for my note. They find it exciting to be part of it, and it gives me insight into how they feel they've been behaving.

To be honest, I rarely pass out incentives. They have thier place, but I think sometimes they send the wrong message--that students should behave for treats and not because it's expected of them.
I usually bring out incentives if there are students that stand out as ones who deserve to be recognized. Sometimes I feel bad for these students because their classmates truly waste a lot of their learning time.
Sometimes I pass out tickets and hold a drawing for incentives later in the day. Saves me money and gives me the opportunity to pass out tickets throughout the day when students are caught being good.
Most often with younger grades, just writing their name on the board with a smiley face (maybe excusing these students to line first) is incentive enough.

Save your voice... many students get in the bad habit of constantly asking the teacher, "What's next?", "What are we doing next?". Wean them! Tell them they will find out when you tell the rest of the class. Otherwise, it will wear you out because there are usually about 4-5 in each class!

A timer can save you time and energy. Many students will lollygag if you tell them just to 'clean up'. If you set a timer and tell them they have 4 minutes... they will usually hustle! I love it!

My last thought: If the class gets too rowdy, it is perfectly ok to take a moment to 'rest'. Sometimes I'll turn the lights out and have them set their heads down for a few minutes. Remind them that they aren't in trouble.. just that it is getting loud and the class needs to settle down.

Anyway, I'm excited for you! Tell us how it goes...

 

[kwall]

Hi

I haven't read the above posts, but I'm sure there's great advice. I do 1st a lot and love it. Its a whirlwind day usually. Be prepared to hear "Mrs.----- doesn't do it that way." I reply (with a smile) " Mrs.----and I are not twins, we'll still get calendar done or papers passed out."

This lets the on the ball kids know that things will be taken care of and they'll tell their friends "This teacher is not Mrs----".

One sure fire hit-practice up on Simon says. They love it as an activity break, and you can hear a pin drop.

Also, if not mentioned above, Nametags will save your sanity. Get stickers at the office and make them up if the teacher has none prepped.

Have fun

 

[bell5]

I received a call THIS morning from my daughter's first grade teacher asking me if i could sub for her. Her son was sick. She is such a great teacher she came in and went over the lesson plans, showed me where everything was and talked to the kids about behaving. It was a very busy but good day. My feet and knees are killing me. I wore some high heeled boots, wanted to look nice. I don't think I will do that again. Comfortable shoes are a must. I didn't sit down until the end of the day. I didn't eat lunch either. The kids were very helpful. One of my daughters friends told her they thought I was being a "little mean". I found that funny. It was important for me to establish in the beginning that the kids had to listen. Once they saw that they couldn't get away with things they were more attentive. I know normally with subbing the teacher won't be there to explain everything to you. I am sure that tomorrow it will be a little different, but at least I have a little experience under my belt! The one problem i did keep running into is there was a lot of down time between assignments. All the kids are on different levels. Some of them would breeze through assignments others took forever. I wasn't able to finish everything that was assigned, but came close. I had the kids who finished early read books but they started getting bored with that. The teacher left a worksheet as a filler and they had that also. I did start to feel a little anxious when we were waiting on the few others to finish. I copied a lot more worksheets to take with me tomorrow. All i can do is my best. I decided I need not stress myself out over these kids. I am only in there for one day. Do my best and the teacher will take care of what i couldn't get to. I do not have a teaching degree. I have a B.S., Business Administration. No experience teaching. Considering getting a certificate or masters in education if i decide to stick with it.

Peace and Blessings and have a wonderful weekend.

 

[Mrs. Webb]

Substitute Book

I just had my substitute workshop tonight, so I should be recieving phone calls soon as well. I think having nametags is a great idea!
I bought a book called The Substitutes Guide and it has helped me a lot! It has some filler activities (games and worksheets) you can copy and bring to class. It also gives you ideas on how to handle certain problems that might arise. I found the book at a store called The School Box.

I'm sure you will do fine tomorrow. Like with anything new, we are always nervous the first time around. I know I will feel the same way as you when I get that first phone call! Please tell us how it goes!
Good luck!

 

[mme NPB]

Yes, we can seem "mean"!

I had to laugh (and empathize) with you about the comment your daughter's friend made about you seeming "mean" when you taught her class. I often feel "mean" when I am subbing only because I am constantly laying down the law and trying to keep the kids in line. I know quite a few of the kids at the school where I sub,as it is the same one my own children attend, and while they have never told me so , I know they get quite a different picture of me as a sub, than as their friend's mom! I often wonder at the end of my day if I have been too "mean" or strict, yet from everything I have read here over the past several months, and now from my own experiences, I think it is best to start out very firm and only then, if you can, loosen up a little.

 

[bell5]

My first full day of subbing was actually not bad. One of the boys in the class came over to me and said I was the best substitute teacher he ever had! That made me feel so good. I was shocked to hear it. Like others, everything I have read says to go into the classroom and lay down the law until you feel you can soften up a little. I did let up a little and had a good day. It just seems like all day long you are correcting the kids and trying to keep control. I never lost control of the class but by the end of the day I was pretty exhausted. I have never used so many phrases, 123 all eyes on me, counting backwords, clapping, shutting off the lights, I am sure you all know. I had one kid who had behavior issues. I was so glad that he was able to handle himself today. He had to have his clothespin moved up to yellow once (behavior management tool) but I moved it back down to green once I saw he was able to control his behavior. his teacher uses a traffic light for behavior management. It seems to work very well. The teacher was wonderful. She left detailed lesson plans! That was so helpful. I can't imagine what I am going to do when I get a sub assignment and there is no lesson plan. I hope my books are in by then. I seem to be getting a lot of calls now. On my way out to my sub assignment I was called by my children's school to see about subbing there today. Of course I couldn't do it and I don't think I would have anyway, it was for 5th grade. I just don't think I would do very well with 5th graders. I know my personality & I don't think I have the patience to deal with them. I know they are more independent but from what I have seen they can also be disrespectful & test you more. I am sure it depends on the class, but I will stick with early childhood for now. Since subbing I have had two parents ask me if I tutor. They pay around $50 an hour for tutoring. I am really considering it but once again I need to do my research and find out how to get started since I don't have a degree or certificate in teaching. It would be difficult to tutor after school since I have kids of my own that need help with homework. $50 an hour is a lot of money. One of my kids classmates uses a tutor for reading. Her tutor has 12 students and charges them all $50 and hour! Well, you all have a good weekend.

Peace and Blessings

 

[bell5]

Also wanted to say that the substitute orientation that we have in the county I work for is not helpful at all. It is just used to fill out paperwork, fingerprint you and register you for the sub calling system. We watch a quick video that really doesn't help you at all. The county really needs to implement a serious workshop for it's subs. They provide absolutely no support or advice for new subs. We go into these assignments green, if you don't have an education degree or have never taught. In my county we don't have to be certified to sub or go through any type of certification class. We really should have to. Just wanted to put that out there.

Bye

 

[bell5]

I live in Maryland. I thought about charging $30 - $35 an hour and was told by a parent that if I charge too little that people will think I am not that good because my rates are low! Can you believe that. I just don't have $50 a pop to for tutoring. That is a lot of money to me. So you see why I am seriously considering it. Like I said the problem is finding the time after school to do it so I don't interfere with helping my own kids. There is not enough money in the world to make me not help them. I have also seen advertisements in the paper for Sylvan Learning Center. I don't know what they pay there tutors. I will see how I can work it all in

Peace

 

[Mrhdaisy0]

I work at Sylvan

Take the $50/hr. gig ... don't even think about Sylvan. Sylvan's pay rates are equivalent to reaching into the toilet and pulling out a handful. I started working there to have a supplemental income until I started subbing regularly. 3 to 4 hrs. at Sylvan is like a full day of classroom teaching to me. You have 3 students at the table at the same time for one-hour increments ... all three students are usually different ages (ranging from PK to adult), and they are all studying different things. The tutoring pretty much consists of short explanations and a bunch of busy "practice" work. You are constantly shifting back and forth between the three students to explain, answer questions, and score their "practice" work ... you have to cover a certain amount of material to show "progress." They write plans for you, and you have to teach it THEIR WAY. My supervisor has actually told me that I need to spend less time going over incorrect answers so that I can cover more new material. She says, "they can go over it during their next session ... parents want to see progress." What the heck?! So they're basically telling me to move on to something else instead of actually TEACHING! It sucks. The parents pay around $40/hr, but the teachers only receive about $7.50/hr. What a joke. Parents could really save their money by spending an hour helping their kids with homework at home! Some kids seem to benefit from time at Sylvan, but I think it's just because they're getting more practice, not because Sylvan works any kind of miracle. I have MA degrees in both elem. ed. and reading, and I KNOW that some of the crap they tell teachers to do is a total waste of everyone's time and money. Better yet, the guy who runs the Sylvan where I work will openly admit that it is a business concerned with making money. If the student numbers are low on a certain day, they will send teachers home instead of letting them give one-on-one instruction. Pathetic. I don't recommend Sylvan for anyone ... parents and their children would be better served by placing ads on college bulletin boards to recruit education majors. Of course this is all just MY OPINION ... other Sylvan centers may handle their "businesses" differently.

 

[twin2]

qualifications to tutor?

Ideally, I imagine a tutor should be a certified teacher. I have wondered can anyone tutor and charge for it? I have thought about tutoring, but wondered if there are some kind of laws that say you have to be a teacher. I really don't know how to even check into it. I certainly feel qualified to tutor elementary students.

 

[Mrhdaisy0]

Don't think so ...

I don't think you have to have any certain qualifications to be a tutor unless you are working for a company (like Sylvan). The university I attended employs student tutors, and high school students are also often paid to tutor their peers. I think tutoring is pretty much considered "odd job" kind of work ... like mowing lawns and stuff. I've never heard of any kind of regulations regarding tutors. If it is a major source of income, you would have to report your earnings and pay taxes.
Yes, it would be ideal to employ a certified teacher as a tutor, but it may be hard to find one since most certified teachers are likely more concerned with finding work in a classroom. Education majors would probably be more eager to find a source for cash, and concepts and strategies of education are fresh in their minds.

 

[twin2]

makes sense

Thanks for your reply. Now that you mention it, a lot of tutors are students aren't they?

 

[dixiecat]

No Sneak Preview

Hey Bell! That sounds a lot like the new sub orientation I attended yesterday afternoon. Fortunately for me, my daughter has a lot of subbing under her belt and is able to give me the "rest of the story." Her best tip: arrive about 30 minutes early to get your bearings. And, make sure that you take bottled water and a couple of heathy snacks for yourself. Also, don't forget to B-R-E-A-T-H-E!
GOOD LUCK!

 

[hindypo]

and take potty breaks!

The bottled water (I always carry it) reminds me...Make sure you go to the restroom every chance you get! Because once the bell rings, you are STUCK. I have a tendency to put this off and forget about it, but being a perimenopausal woman, I am experiencing all-of-a-sudden "urges" to go to the bathroom. (Sorry, all you men reading this, for me being rather crude!) I find it best to empty my bladder when I have the opportunity...I guess I am too used to having jobs where I can go when I want....Teaching is NOT one of those jobs!

 

[mme NPB]

bathroom breaks.....

Yes, I have to agree with Hindypo that you best "do your thing" whenever you get the chance(which is hardly ever). My husband has taught for years but I never truly realized the "conditions" he was working in until I started subbing a few months ago. After several days in particular of few bathroom breaks and almost non-existent lunch breaks, I said to him "You teachers live like animals!" He replied "Welcome to teaching."

 

[Mrs. Webb]

Bell5

What kind of "law" did you lay down at the begining of class? I have not got a call yet but am expecting one very soon. I am extreamly nervous as well. Mainly about keeping the class in order and explaining the lessons so the students will understand them. I would love to hear any tips you have since you just started. I'm glad to hear your first day was successful!
Thank you

 

[bell5]

I took some advice from posts I have read here and from my own reading. I really didn't smile much in the beginning. I went over the ground rules for the class immediately and tried to control the kids calling out. When kids are younger you can look at them a certain way and they understand they better listen ( most of the time ). As the day went on I let up a little and we had a good day. I really don't like having to be so stern in the beginning or all day if needed, but I know that I need to let the kids know they need to behave. I had a sub assignment this past Monday that went well during the day before lunch. I had 25 2nd graders. I was very nervous but kept my cool. After lunch the kids were so hyped up. I turned out to be a nice day in Maryland, 82 degrees. The kids were just too excited. I never lost control but I had to keep telling them to quiet down. They ended up not getting their treat because I had to talk to them over and over about being quiet. Once mistake I made, not knowing how thinkgs work during lunch, since I live on 3 - 5 minutes from the school I decided to go home to eat and come back. Well 2 students were supposed to come in during lunch to do the postoffice letters. When I came back to pick them up from lunch outside they were not very pleased with me. I explained I was not aware that they were coming in during lunch and I would allow them to finish while we were packing up. It worked out and they were able to finish their job. I don't know if this is really what I want to do yet. It may be because I have been home almost 7 years after having my twins and I just need to adjust to working outside of the home again. I have an assignment tomorrow from 12-3:45. It is a 3rd grade class. It will be my first with 3rd graders. Any advice for them. They are older so I know doing the clapping and 123 eyes on me won't work with them! My husband always says why get nervous, they are just kids you are the adult. That's true but kids are unpredictable and they really don't have to listen if they choose not to. Luckily on my assignments so far I have had very detailed lesson plans. I am hoping that I get called at least 2 - 3 times a week. I don't know if I will because I am only subbing for k-3. I try to also sell items on Ebay for extra income. Hopefully on or the other will give the income I need. I am considering becoming certified, but I will give the subbing a few more months to see if it is really what I like.

Peace & Blessings

 

[kellinc]

I had my first experience yesterday!

I liked reading your post. I too had my first experience subbing. It was only for 1/2 day but it was enough! 4th graders and at least 5-6 boys were major behaviorial issues. It was a rough day in some ways because all the teacher wanted me to do with them was have them read so they can prepare for their reading tests. Picture trying to contain 22 children to sit still and read. We started off with lunch and the teacher said that they had to have 10 minutes of quiet then they could talk. So we got through that. Then bathroom time. The bathrooms for boys and girls are in different directions. I made the mistake of letting the boys go by themselves. Mental note, don't do that again! Then back to classroom. More reading. I tried to break it up and have them write about what they did that was fun on the weekend. Some really enjoyed doing and the others (like the behavior ones) did not. Then it was time for gym so I got a break then bathroom again and then more reading yada yada yada.

What I learned is that I should try to use the teacher's outline as a guide but try to run the class as my class. I think because I was unsure what to do I probably didn't come off as tough as I wanted and then it is hard to gain that back. For the most part they were ok and you have to try not to listen to Ms. ......does that and this and just tell them this is my classroom today.


Either way, I have decided that I do not want to teach 4th and 5th grade. I'd rather stay with the younger ones. Less attitude!

I am glad I took this job so I could get my feet wet and learn what to do and not to do!

 

[midlife sub]

Sylvan comment

This is in response to Mrhdaisy0's post about Sylvan. I tutor online for eSylvan and it's the same thing. We have 3 students at a time - there are technical problems, students who don't do their work (they are at home), poor lessons/worksheets that we're expected to teach, etc, -it's tough work for only $10 an hr. (before taxes). I'm totally exhausted after teaching 3-4 hours. The parents are getting ripped off - I heard they pay at least $40 an hr.

 

[Mrhdaisy0]

yep ... $40 ... ripoff

I work at a Sylvan in WV ... the parents pay $41/hr (muliply that by 3 to represent each kid at the table), and I see $7.90 of that BEFORE taxes. I'm not saying that some kids don't benefit, but I would NOT NOT NOT pay $41 for one hour of tutoring when my child gets only 5 to 10 minutes of individual attention ... CRAZY! Save your money and help your child with his/her homework at HOME. Believe me, they are more interested in the success of their business than they are the success of your child.
I'm actually thinking about taking a summer baby-sitting job so that I can have more dependable work hours ... and more money ... and more energy ... and more sanity.