Do you struggle with sub plans for elementary music? The joke often goes it’s easier to come in sick than to write sub plans as a teacher. I remember nights of feverishly (literally) writing lesson plans I could leave for a sub in the morning. It was HORRIBLE!
When I had a kid, I quickly realized that I was going to have to come up with a better system, and fast. I am happy to say that I did come up with a system and it works like a CHARM! If I need to take a sick day last minute, I can easily have lesson plans ready and emailed to my school in the press of a button.
Want to take the stress out of taking a sick day? Read on and I will share all my secrets of my Sub Plan System.
Sub Plans For Music Class
The first thing you will need to do is to create a sub plan folder. This folder will include the basics that your sub will need to know. Many schools have a list of what they expect to be included in your sub plans, so check with your administrator or office staff.
Designate a spot in your room where this folder can be found. Make sure that it can be seen CLEARLY when walking into your room. If this is not an option, then make sure that you have a sign taped to your desk or something that clearly indicates where to find the folder. All your hard work will be for nothing if they can’t find what you wrote down.
Obviously, if you have a planned absence, you will be able to put the folder out on your desk, but you always have to plan for the UN-planned absence, thus the signage.
What To Include In Sub Plans
The first page that always stays in my sub folder is the info sheet. In this sheet I include the basic classroom info that the sub will need to know.
Some of the things you might include are:
- intro – thank you for subbing for me today
- entrance/exit procedures
- how to log in and use technology
- behavior systems (can students or class earn points/incentives?)
- contacts to call (I usually put the Art Teacher – for help within the room and the Front Office – for if there is a major behavioral issue)
- where to find the lounge/bathroom/other areas they may need to use during the day
- any AM or PM duties you perform
- any other procedures you want them made aware of
As music teachers, we have A LOT of classes and students come and go. You can choose to pop in a set of class lists and update them each quarter. I also provide a copy of my weekly schedule so they know when each class comes and goes.
Emergency Sub Plans For Music
Another thing that should always live in your sub folder is a set of emergency sub plans. You never know when an emergency will strike. You didn’t know some germy kid was going to cause you to develop a stomach bug at 3:00 AM. Or any number of other unknown problems that might require you to suddenly have a sub that you haven’t planned for.
While I am not going into specific THINGS to be in your plans, one thing to look at with emergency sub plans is that they require no prior preparation, since you will not be there to prep them. If it does require that some materials be used, make sure to leave incredibly specific directions on where to find these materials and how they are to be used and put back. No detail is too small.
Create 2-3 Sub Plans For Elementary Music
It’s time to sit down and do the hard work now. You’ve got to create AT LEAST one set of sub lesson plans, but probably two or three realistically. Trust me, this hard work will pay off for years and years to come, so it is totally worth it.
I usually have one lesson for my upper grades and one lesson for my lower grades. For example, I may have both groups watching different movies and then answering questions about them. I also usually provide a time filling activity for extra time.
When I need to be absent, I simply print out the lesson plans (for a planned absence), or attach the file to my sub request (for an unplanned absence).
Easy Music Sub Plans Every Time
Once you’ve got your two to three sub plans all set, the only thing left to do is track which classes have used which sub lessons.
I usually make a little grid on my desk top for quick reference. I also have a digital copy, so I know which sub plan to assign if I have to do it from home. I usually type in the date to I can make sure that I have recorded each absence. It might look something like this:
I mark off as a group uses the sub plan. Note: Although MOST of the time you would do these plans in order (MON does Plan #1 before ever using plan #2), there may be times where it makes more sense to start on a different plan. The plans are NOT sequential so it doesn’t really matter what order you do them in. So, for example, let’s look at the chart above, and let’s say I have a planned absence coming up where I will be at a training on Monday and Tuesday. Monday’s class has already done sub plan #1, so I don’t want to repeat it with them. I also don’t want to make two different sub plans for two different days. Therefore, I would have Monday and Tuesday do Sub Plan #2 when I was gone.
And that’s about the long and short of it. I hope that these tips help you prep for subs with ease.
Need Ideas for Sub Plans for Elementary Music?
If you are looking for some inspiration of what to put in your sub plans for music, here are some of my favorites. You can read my blog post Elementary Music Sub Plans: 5 Fabulous No Prep Lesson Ideas for even more ideas.
Reading Rainbow videos
There are plenty of Reading Rainbow videos that focus on music. Some that I can think of include Follow the Drinking Gourd, Borreguita and the Coyote, and Duke Ellington.
Composer Biographies
I have TONS of composer biography packs that include 10 different activities students can do to learn about the composer. Get them all in the Composer Biography Growing Bundle or pick and choose couple from my store.
Write the Room
Write the Room activities are a great way to have student review or preview material. They can copy down rhythms and then create their own song with the rhythms. Then they could pair with a partner and create an A and B section and add body percussion. Extra time? Students could share their creations with the class.
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