The following list of resources are Internet based and available for viewing by clicking on the hyperlinks.  

• Teacher Vision provides a variety of resources for the teacher and the substitute:

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/classroom-management/resource/6284.html

• Creating a Substitute Teacher Packet

This site will help you, the substitute, to determine what you need in order to be a successful substitute.

http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/substitute.htm

• Ten great activities for substitutes:

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson198.shtml

• A Page for Substitutes:

http://mrt.tripod.com/

• A Few Quick Plans:

http://teaching-strategies-mentorship.suite101.com/article.cfm/quick_substitute_teacher_lesson_plans

• Barbara L. Pressman (2008) presents some resources in this website:

http://www.substituteteachingatoz.com/resources.html

• Substitute teaching magazine:

http://www.substituteteachermagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=48&Itemid=59

• Teacher-world (includes links to lesson plans):

http://www.teacher-world.com/substitute-teacher.html

• Fred Jones (behavioral management focus) website:

http://www.fredjones.com/Tools-for-Teaching/Tools-for-Teaching-main.html

• Utah State University licensed resource for substitute teachers:

http://stedi.org/subs/subskills/Substitute-Teaching-Skills.aspx#teach

• Teacher Vision - Lesson Plans:

http://www.teachervision.fen.com/

The following is a list of resources including books and peer-reviewed journal literature that may be useful for your development as a substitute teacher:

Armenta, T. & Darwin, E. V. (2007). How to manage subs – without getting sunk. Principal Leadership 7(8), pp. 8-10.

This article examines the role of the school and regular faculty members in facilitating the success of the substitute teacher.

Dellinger, J. (2006). The substitute teaching survival guide: Emergency lesson plans and essential advice. Grades K-5. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

The book provides several strategies for being successful as a substitute teacher with lesson plans for grades K-5.

Dellinger, J. (2005). The substitute teaching survival guide: Emergency lesson plans and essential advice. Grades 6-12. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

The author presents developmentally appropriate strategies for success in the classrooms of older students with sample lesson plans.

Gresham, J., Donihoo, J. & Cox, T. (2007). Five strategies to enhance your substitute teaching. Kappa Delta Pi Record 44(1), pp. 28-32.

The author presents five strategies for improving a substitute teacher’s success in getting assignments.  The No Child Left Behind Act requires schools to use highly qualified replacements in the classroom and today’s high stakes tests make it crucial to continue with the instruction necessary for student success.  The five strategies that the author presents are:

1. Becoming known on the campus by making contact with the administration.
2. Being ready for short notice assignments, which are typical.
3. Setting high performance expectations for yourself and the students.
4. Being confident in managing the classroom and instructional delivery.
5. Being prepared for unexpected problems and sudden assignments.

Lassmann, M. E. (2001). Defining the role of the substitute teacher. Education 121(3), pp. 625-628.

The author focuses on the school’s responsibilities in ensuring that substitute teachers are qualified for the assignments and knowledgeable of the school’s policies.  Substitute teachers should be proactive in seeking out information and interacting with the staff at the school. 

Shepherd, R. (1997). Formative assessment for substitute teachers. The Clearing House 71(2), pp. 117-118.

The author discusses the key aspects of being a substitute teacher, which includes following the lesson plan provided by the full time teacher, managing the classroom effectively, keeping accurate records, and listing information on problematic students.  Keeping the students on task and utilizing the entire class period or day for learning is an essential aspect for success as a substitute teacher.  Providing a summary of the day’s events for the regular is recommended. 

Spreyer, L. (2002).  Teaching is an art: An a-z handbook for successful teaching in middle schools and high schools. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc.

This resource discusses the multiple components of teaching in middle and high schools.  The orientation is set for those that are teaching full time, but there are skills that is valuable for every level of classroom teaching.

Last update: July 2010