TeachersFirst Collection: Substitutes - Ideas and Resources
Stepping into a classroom you don't know, with students you've never met, calls for resources you can trust to work right away. This collection brings together ready-to-go educational games and interactives that require little to no prep, so you can fill instructional time with confidence the moment you walk in the door. You'll also find classroom management resources, icebreaker activities, brain breaks, and teacher guides to help you build rapport quickly and keep the day running smoothly. Whether you're covering a single period or a full week, these tools are designed to make substitute teaching easier for you and more engaging for your students.
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Sub Station: Tips and Resources for Substitute Teachers - Education World
Grades
K to 12
This site includes advertising.
tag(s): substitutes (33), Teacher Utilities (233)
In the Classroom
Share this link with substitute teachers. Have students use Free Online Screen Recorder, reviewed here to create videos on how to play the fun games that are shared. Have substitute teachers create their own survival list using Google Keep, reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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The Essential Substitute Teacher Folder - The Institute for Arts Integration and STEAM
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): classroom management (154), substitutes (33), Teacher Utilities (233)
In the Classroom
Have students help develop a concise list of classroom routines and expectations a substitute needs to know, then compare their ideas with the teacher's class overview form. Have students work in small groups to create a classroom welcome guide for a substitute with Canva for Education reviewed here, including student-friendly explanations of routines and classroom expectations. Use Magic School, reviewed here to help create your substitute plans.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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How to Create Substitute Teacher Plans in 15 minutes with AI - Ditch that Texbook
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (358), substitutes (33), Teacher Utilities (233)
In the Classroom
Teachers can use AI tools such as Magic School, reviewed here to create their substitute lesson plans. Use SchoolAI, reviewed here to create a bellringer or morning work activity for a substitute teacher. Tailor the prompts in this post to your grade level and activity to create your own substitute lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Setting Up the Right Prompts to Get an Effective AI-Generated Sub Plan - Edutopia
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (358), professional development (307), substitutes (33), Teacher Utilities (233)
In the Classroom
Teachers can use AI tools such as SchoolAI, reviewed here to create their substitute plans. Teachers can use Canva for Education, reviewed here to download worksheets and presentations to include in their substitute plans. Have teachers create a prompt bank for writing lesson plans and share it.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Substitute Teachers Lounge - Greg Collins
Grades
11 to 12tag(s): behavior (50), classroom management (154), podcasts (188), professional development (307), substitutes (33)
In the Classroom
Help substitutes create their own bag of tricks and supplies for when they enter the classroom without lesson plans. Students can create their own podcast using Spotify for Podcasters, reviewed here for what they wish a substitute did and did not do when in the classroom. Have preservice teachers listen to the episode and create a two-column chart separating the student's observable behaviors from Collins's interpretations and reactions. Ask students to discuss why distinguishing observation from interpretation matters when documenting classroom incidents.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Substitute Teacher Activities Pack - HMH
Grades
K to 6tag(s): critical thinking (188), crosswords (25), literacy (122), puzzles (178), substitutes (33), Teacher Utilities (233)
In the Classroom
Have students complete one of the pack's writing prompts independently, then have them share their responses with a partner and identify an interesting detail or idea in each other's writing. Brainstorm other writing prompts based on seasons or events, or use Journal Buddies, reviewed here to get writing prompts. Invite students to complete a word search or crossword from the pack as a quiet early-finisher or transition activity, then ask them to select several terms and explain or illustrate their meanings.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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55 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for Substitute Teachers - WeAreTeachers
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): substitutes (33), Teacher Utilities (233)
In the Classroom
Use sites like Baamboozle, reviewed here or Kahoot!, reviewed here in the classroom to engage students during your time together. Use SchoolAI, reviewed here to help generate substitute lesson ideas. Read stories from Epic! For Educators, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Professionals of Substitute Teaching - Chantell Jo
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): podcasts (188), professional development (307), substitutes (33), teaching strategies (88)
In the Classroom
Share the link for substitute teachers. Create a book using Canva Docs, reviewed here of tips and tricks for substitute teachers. Create a Wakelet, reviewed here of videos on ways to build student engagement.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Padlet Arcade - Padlet
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (358), crosswords (25), flash cards (46), game based learning (309), matching (9), puzzles (178), quiz (58), sequencing (22), study aid (175), Teacher Utilities (233), worksheets (72)
In the Classroom
Students can design their own learning games using a unit topic, such as vocabulary, historical events, or science concepts, and share them with classmates. Before a quiz or unit test, create a review activity in which students match questions and answers, sort ideas into categories, or identify correct concepts. After reading a story or chapter, have students complete a sequencing activity created in Arcade.Edge Features:
Parent permission advised before posting student work created using this tool
Includes Interaction w general public/ public galleries with unmoderated content
Includes social features, such as "friends," comments, ratings by others
Requires registration/log-in (WITH email)
Premium version (not free) includes additional features or storage
Products can be embedded
Products can be shared by URL
Multiple users can collaborate on the same project
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Classroom Management Strategies - American Federation of Teachers
Grades
K to 12tag(s): behavior (50), blogs (80), classroom management (154), professional development (307)
In the Classroom
After reviewing a strategy from the collection, have students act out scenarios (e.g., transitioning quietly or resolving a conflict). Use an article or video from the collection as a starting point, then have small groups discuss what respect, responsibility, and inclusion look like in your classroom. Groups can present their ideas back to the class. Work with students to design posters that illustrate key classroom routines or behavior expectations. Display them around the room as visual reminders created by students.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Insta-Lesson - Insta-Lesson
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artificial intelligence (358), substitutes (33), Teacher Utilities (233)
In the Classroom
Use this tool to create lesson plans for substitutes or remediation, including detailed instructions and standards-aligned activities. After generating the lesson, use the editing tools to modify the plan as needed to match your professional needs and standards. Share the slide presentation with students and add an exit ticket slide to review upon your return. If needed, clarify directions or provide additional instructions for students or your substitute for your lesson by creating a short recording using Awesome Screenshot, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Classroom Zen - ClassroomZen
Grades
K to 6tag(s): classroom management (154), emotions (78), social and emotional learning (221), Teacher Utilities (233)
In the Classroom
Although the activities on this site are pretty basic, they offer many benefits as tools for classroom teachers. Include the Morning Warm-up with Mio to engage them as they prepare and to set a welcoming learning atmosphere, and customize the content for your grade level by selecting from the grade-band offerings and topic choices. All students will enjoy the quick brain break activities that encourage participation. Share daily breathing and mindfulness techniques on students' computers so they can access them during stressful or anxious periods. Share this site and others on a Wakelet collection, reviewed here with parents to use at home. Find other resources to include with your collection on TeachersFirst Special Topics Page: Brain Breaks for Students, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Achievery - AT&T
Grades
K to 12tag(s): blended learning (30), coding (110), digital citizenship (112), engineering (136), environment (245), equations (128), geometric shapes (150), graphic design (57), internet safety (117), literature (214), map skills (68), measurement (123), media literacy (137), narrative (16), numbers (117), operations (70), order of operations (30), problem solving (282), remote learning (33), Research (92), social and emotional learning (221), spanish (113), STEM (385), substitutes (33), writing (304)
In the Classroom
Bookmark and save this site as a resource for lessons in many content areas to engage students using popular video clips. Although originally designed for remote learning, all lessons can be easily adapted for in-class instruction. Easily find activities to differentiate instruction for different student ability levels by browsing options below or above the student's current grade level. Many lessons include worksheets in PDF format. Turn these activities into a digital format by taking a screenshot of the document, then save as the background on Google Slides, reviewed here. Add text boxes in the appropriate place on the slide for students to add responses. Use Pear Deck Flashcard Factory, reviewed here, to create flashcards for students to practice the vocabulary highlighted in each lesson.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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World's Largest Lesson - Project Everyone
Grades
K to 12tag(s): cross cultural understanding (167), earth (187), energy (136), engineering (136), environment (245), inequalities (27), maps (222), social justice (44), STEM (385), substitutes (33), sustainability (56)
In the Classroom
Discover the many free educational resources found on this site to include in your lessons about global cultures, the environment, health, and technology. Use the activities and lessons found on the World's Largest Lesson to engage students in understanding and processing information related to serious global issues. Have students use a collaborative whiteboard tool such as FigJam, reviewed here, to brainstorm solutions to problems using the sticky note feature or to create mind maps and flow charts to organize further research. Enhance learning by asking students to create an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure story using StoryLab, reviewed here. Ask students to use information learned from their lessons to create a story that tells what happens if the Earth continues on its current course vs. what happens when suggested changes are implemented.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Virtual Manipulatives - Toy Theater
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): charts and graphs (183), decimals (90), fractions (173), measurement (123), money (112), number lines (32), number sense (75), place value (42), substitutes (33), tangrams (10)
In the Classroom
If you teach elementary math, this site is a must-have to add to your bookmarks. Include manipulatives from this site with blended learning and remote teaching lessons to provide students opportunities to explore and practice math content. Include a link to manipulatives and other student sites using Symbaloo, reviewed here, and share with students as a resource for practicing math concepts. Items to include might be instructional videos, online games, and other practice activities. Add manipulatives within a learning system such as Curipod, reviewed here, to create a complete online lesson that has opportunities for students to share and discuss their learning. Encourage students to share their findings by creating a screen recording using Free Screen Recorder Online, reviewed here. Ask students to conduct a math talk in response to a teacher prompt after they have had the opportunity to explore and interact with the virtual manipulatives.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Classroom Management Resources - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): classroom management (154), Teacher Utilities (233)
In the Classroom
Find management tips and tools to make your class run smoother. Share this collection with your colleagues.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Woo! Kids Activities - woojr.com
Grades
K to 6This site includes advertising.
tag(s): holidays (292), Juneteenth (33), poetry (194), preK (352), substitutes (33), worksheets (72)
In the Classroom
Use Woo! as a starting point for lesson ideas and activities, then go beyond worksheets to challenge your students. Ask your students to create their own templates and review materials using Google Documents. Incorporate game-play into your lessons using Bamboozle, reviewed here. Baamboozle is a quick and easy game creation tool that creates multiple types of games for two teams. Incorporate questions into videos using playposit, reviewed here. Students and teachers can comment and add responses directly into this video resource.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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TeachersFirst Reading Treks - Make Learning a Journey - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12tag(s): independent reading (85), maps (222), reading comprehension (146), reading lists (79), Reading Treks (56)
In the Classroom
These units are perfect for use with a whole-class novel, literature circles, or individual reading! Ask students to keep a journal about what they are reading and learning. Replace traditional paper and pen journals using an easy virtual journaling tool such as Penzu, reviewed here. With Penzu you can add images or your own artwork as illustrations. If you are conducting literature circles a good tool to use for small group assignments and communication is Asana, reviewed here, or Canvas Free LMS, reviewed here. For students or student groups to share their book with their peers, challenge them to enhance their learning and design an interactive multimedia poster using Genially, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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A Year of Picture Prompts - New York Times
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): creative writing (123), descriptive writing (41), journals (26), writing prompts (56)
In the Classroom
Save this website to your favorites or link from your class web page. These inspirational ideas are perfect for journals, quick writes, or to develop into a full story or essay. There are plenty of unusual ideas to give even your most reluctant writer or artist an inspirational nudge. ENL/ELL students can be motivated easily with picture prompts. Share these prompts with your gifted students for some "out of the box" writing ideas. Keep these creative ideas in your "emergency" lesson plan folder for substitutes, or for your own spontaneous writing needs. Extend student learning and challenge them to share writing aloud in a podcast format using a site such as Buzzsprout, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Classroom Freebies - Charity Preston
Grades
K to 8tag(s): back to school (57), book reports (26), classroom management (154), commoncore (63), posters (44), preK (352), substitutes (33), worksheets (72)
In the Classroom
Bookmark Classroom Freebies as an excellent resource for teaching materials throughout the school year. Take advantage of the free printables for use on bulletin boards, for classroom management, and centers. Choose materials from the site to use in substitute folders. Be sure to share this site with your fellow teachers! You might consider finding snow day and vacation day activities to post on your class website for parent and student use.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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