Sub Bag

So, I have created a "sub bag". This bag holds things that I hope I never have to use but am prepared to use. It basically is a bag that is filled with items I can use in the classroom, in case the teacher who is out, does not leave me any plans.

I actually have 3 bags. One is for K-1, one for 2-3, and the last for 4-5. In each bag is at least 2 books that I could read to the class. Books that have been my favorites for years and ones that I could easily attach a writing lesson to. I have games, like Soduko, and a few other math related games. I have lots of classroom management ideas that are printed out, laminated and stuffed in each bag. Such things as writing a riddle on the board for them to figure out, a paper airplane competition where they get to fly their airplane across the room if the day ends on a high note. I have even thought of telling the kids I would show them a magic trick and how to do it at the end of the day if they behave. Will I ever use all these bells and whistles? Who knows! But I keep reading blogs and talking with fellow substitute teachers about the horrors of being a sub. I just want to be prepared.

Oh, and I also have a whistle (just in case things get REALLY out of hand), some snacks for me (for when I'm not able to make it to the lunchroom because I am frantically trying to figure out what to teach in the next half of the day), Tylenol (for that headache), cough drops (for all the talking or voice raising I need to do), water, a notebook to make notes about what I like in the teacher's room to use in the future for my own classroom, and my business cards.

I'll keep you updated on if I ever need to use the sub bag!