Filler Activities
1.
Form as many words as you can from the letters in HEREDITY.
2.
List all of the objects in the classroom that weigh less than 5 grams.
3.
List all of the objects in the room that weigh more than one kilogram.
4.
List all of the objects in the classroom that would sink in water.
5.
List all of the objects in the classroom that would float in water.
6.
List all of the objects in the classroom that would be attracted to a magnet.
7.
List all of the objects in the classroom that would conduct electricity.
8.
List all of the objects in the classroom that are electrical insulators.
9.
List all of the places you would like to visit.
10. List all of the books that you've read.
11. List all of the movies that start with the letter L.
SUCCESSFUL SUBSTITUTE TOOLKIT
The Office of Substitute Services is pleased to provide the following tips
to help ensure that our FCPS substitutes have the most successful
experiences with our students.
Bag of Tricks
Consider some of the following suggestions to fill a bag of tricks for any
grade level:
Egg timer
Mad Libs, word puzzles, or brain teasers
Koosh ball
Magic markers
Stickers
Age-appropriate books
Flash cards
CD for music activity
3X5 index cards
Post-it notes
Extra sharpened pencils with erasers
Transition Activities
There are times during the day, usually between planned lessons, when
you may need a brief activity to keep students on task. Try one of these:
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Stickman on the chalkboard
Twenty Questions
Display several items (marbles, feather, shoe, subway pass, etc.).
Have small groups of students work together to write a mystery using
the displayed items. This activity can be acted out as well.
Use any game (soccer, football, etc.), as long as you know the rules,
and use any instructional topic for student scoring in the game.
Conduct a spelling bee.
Write a story in 60 words or less.
Do a read aloud.
Provide students with a word search or crossword puzzle.
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Write a word on the board and ask students to write down as many
words as they can using the letters in the word you chose. Give a
prize to the winner.
List scrambled words on the chalkboard for the students to
unscramble.
Have students write a paragraph about an animal, classmate, etc.
without providing the name. Then read the paragraphs aloud and
have students guess the identity.
Behavior Management
Here are some tips for ensuring a pleasant experience with your
students:
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Reward positive behavior often. It builds student cooperation.
Always remain calm—students are very attuned to body language!
Set your expectations from the outset and reinforce them throughout
the day.
Be consistent. Only provide consequences when prepared to follow
through.
Be sure that any consequence to a behavior is logical and
appropriate.
Be prepared for each lesson with materials and planning to avoid
gaps in instruction. Utilizing some of the transition activities listed
above will help you if you finish a lesson early.
During lessons, walk around the classroom often to maintain
proximity to those students who may be off task or disruptive.
Begin the day by getting to know a little bit about the students.
Only make rules that you are willing to enforce every time they are
broken.
Helpful Websites for Substitute Teachers
Check out some of these websites for sample lesson plans, reference
guides and management information:
http://www.fredjones.com/#!pat-bank/c5h
Access to several classroom management techniques for all grade levels
https://www.brainpop.com/
http://www.abcteach.com/
This site has worksheets, certificates, reading comprehension, an abundance of
information and ideas.
http://edhelper.com/
Here you will find a large selection of worksheets and complete units of study.
Lots of subjects covered and they are age graded.