A Bag of Tricks

  • No matter how often you substitute teach, you will be wise to be prepared before you get an assignment. If you have a special tote bag or brief case that is always ready, you will avoid that rushed, panicked feeling when a call comes late or you find yourself in a classroom without enough materials or activities to keep your students constructively engaged for the entire day.

    Some suggestions for your "bag of tricks" might include:

    • colored markers
    • ink pens
    • extra pencils
    • scissors
    • a coffee cup
    • a snack for recess
    • index cards for student name plates
    • a favorite book or poetry to read to the class
    • a collection of journal writing prompts
    • an instrumental tape or CD to play quietly during writing or independent work time
    • a book of brain teasers or puzzles
    • a collection of chalkboard and/or group games for math and language arts
    • a file of art ideas to integrate with curricular areas
    • a notepad to jot new ideas and preferences you learn from the students or other teachers

     

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