PTO Today

Hello Ladies!

I've been a stay-at-home mom now for the past decade. It's time for a change, and I think substitute teaching might fit the bill. I was wondering, how many of you had tried this? Do you have any tips or hints? Any good books to read first? Any stories of your most horrible day ever? I've already paid to have my finger prints sent off to the Feds., so I guess it's a done deal, but I'd like to gather a few good ideas and helpful hints before I head into the classroom.

Wish me Luck! Tammy

Its like any other job, lots depends on who your peers are, and who is in management because thats who you have to get along with. Kids are fun dealing with, its the adults that are sometimes difficult LOL. good luck, its a job whose rewards are hard to find elsewhere.

I have several friends who do this. While there seem to be ups and downs, they really enjoy it. The two I'm closest two are lucky enough to have some flexibility income-wise, so they don't feel forced to take every possible assignment. One limits her subbing to two specific schools she enjoys. The other only takes certain jobs (mostly school libraries) and only particular days as she has some other commitments.

I just started substituting this year. In my area you can take or refuse any call you get so I stay at my daughter's school unless I haven't worked in a week or 2.

(check this in your area before you start, also my goal is to work 10 of the 20 school days each month. Some people want to work everyday, I really don't. I was a stay-at-home Mom for a few years prior too.)

I love it! Also being in the PTO, a lot of teachers give me ideas while I am at work that they may forget about at the meetings. It's helped our PTO a lot this year.

My daughter's school is K-8. The 8th graders are loud, the K-1st are nose pickers (germ-x is my friend!)

I always bring a bag with coloring sheets, suduko puzzles, a book for me to read during planning time, my germ-x and a bottle of water. (you can find color sheets at www.crayola.com, and the school let's me make some copies when I am there) Even the older kids like to color if they finish what their teacher has left for them to do. It keeps them quiet a bit longer. (not to mention a lint brush, my comb & a compact for the quick bathroom touch up I might get to do. Always bring a pocket calendar! Teacher's love to reserve you when they see you.)

So, think of your own survival kit and if you ever have a bad day, ask a teacher you trust to step in. (very loud 8th graders,lol) I've had to do it and they are glad to help.

Hi Everyone!

Thanks for your comments and ideas. I have been a SAHM for many years, and like the idea of only working 8-10 days/month. Today I completed the substitute teacher paperwork (Pre-K-5th Grade), and I have started packing a tote for the classroom. I definately need to buy some germ-x and a calendar!

I found a couple of great websites with sub. teaching information:
http://www.qnet.com/~rsturgn/index.htm
http://www.csrnet.org/csrnet/substitute/
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8020/subtips.html
http://users.erols.com/interlac/subtch.htm
There are many practicle ideas on these websites, such as not to drink much coffee in the AM as a sub. might not be able to leave the classroom for several hours.

As a lover of books, I have been to several author websites to print off activities based on their books. I plan to bring a book to read to the kids. If there isn't a lesson plan, I can stretch a book out for awhile. The kids can take turns reading, we can stop at the end of a paragraph and have each child write a paragraph on how they would continue the story, do a worksheet from the author's website, etc. Here are my favorite author websites that I use with my kids (2nd and 4th graders) in the summer:
http://www.janbrett.com/activities_pages.htm
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/magi...ies_print.html
http://www.pilkey.com/print-play.php
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/juni...tivities.html#

Thanks again. I hope to hear more! Tammy

Do you mind if I ask what you get paid as a sub? I have only been a sub for a couple of days and they paid us $50 a day, which I am imagining is on the low end of the scale!

PMCW

I subbed a lot last year before my college schedule got too hectic. I loved it! I am in school to be a teacher and I learned so much from subbing!

I always kept a postcard with writing topics. This way, for down time, you can pull it out and come up with something fun without having to worry. I also always carried a book called "if I ran the School." It was a book of crazy poems from a students point of view. My repeat classes always loved it. I didn't worry about taking things like construction paper or worksheets (unless I knew I would have no plans). For most cases, if I had no plans, I just found out what they did the previous day, and did the next lesson. Our teachers all knew me, so that wasn't a problem with them. Also, get the game "challenge 24". Older students love it and can be a time filler.

Good luck! Enjoy!
Brandi

Our local newspaper had an article over Christmas break that said our school system didn't have enough substitute teachers signed up so they raised the pay from $70.00 to $80.00/day. I have heard that some of the schools offer free hot lunch to make it an easier morning for those willing to take their sub. assignments.

Thanks, Brandi. I like your ideas! I had put together a folder for each grade level with a couple of worksheet and books off my kid's shelves. For books, I chose "Amelia Bedelia", "Arthur" and "Dogzilla" for the younger kids. For the older kids, I have "The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Tales" as well as a couple of joke books that the kids could take turns reading aloud. "Where the sidewalk ends" would also work well. I'll check out your book and game idea. I really want to have fun with the kids before the end of the day!

Care to share the student's favorite writing topics?

Tammy

Sure--I really had fun with the older grades with the topics and tried to work most topics around whatever they were reading in the classroom.
Around Charlotte's Web.....Write a descriptive paper about the life of a spider, pig, farmer, etc. Write an persuasive paper about why Fern should be able to keep the pig. Or fun things like, imagine you are a pig, describe what your life would be like, what you would eat, where you would live, etc...

I liked things like.....describe the best day ever, what would you do with 3 wishes and why (all kids liked this one), what is your favorite part about yourself, and why, or if you could be any character in any book, who would you be and why.You can also pick sayings, and have them write about that. Like "a penny saved is a penny earned. Depends on grade.
Or "if I were a parent (teacher, police officer, principal, president)--always a good one. You can google, writing prompts, and get lots of ideas.

The book I have is "If I ran the School" by Bruce Lansky and is about 35 pages. It came through Scholastic. Stinky Cheese is a GREAT one. I always sat a chair in the front of the room, and picked students who had been great all day to come up and read. They loved it. Especially 2, 3, 4 graders. 5th was always so ify, depended on their moods. Also, "If you are not here, pelase raise your hand" is another good book of poems.

You will do great! Have fun and enjoy the kids. Remember though, if they smell fear, especially the older ones, you are a gonner. At the begining, introduce yourself and tell them a little about yourself. Tell them you know they have a "normal" routine, and you will try to stick to it as closely as possible, but that may not happen. (you can get lots of "that isn't how we normally do it" from some students). Always put the positive comments at the beginning of your note and some at the end too! If you have to leave something negative, make sure it is the big things, not the regular things like Johnny talked alot. Those were my management battles to work on and improve.

I hope this helps! Feel free to email me at kotsalis@charter.net if you need anything.

You will do great!!

BTW--our pay here in GA is $66.00 a day. Some schools give free lunch, but it all depends on the school.