Subbing for the First Time

I'm a 4th grade teacher and focusing on the positive has always worked well for me. Find the one or two kids in the class that are doing exactaly what you want, and comment on them. This is effective and easy to do in the spur of the moment. I've also found my kids really enjoy it when subs give them something to work towards. For example if they earn a certain amount of points, they can play a fun 10 minute game at the end of the day. Just some ideas. Good luck, subbing can be fun, but also very trying! :)

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I sub for elementary grades. It's funny, I find the younger ones easier!

First of all, most teachers already have a discipline method already in place: clothespins by their name, name on board, etc. You can always ask a neighboring teacher what they normally do. I always try to befriend the teacher next door!

If there is no discipline method in place, you need to commit to one and nicely, but clearly explain it, and your expectations (raise your hand to talk, stay at your desk, hands to yourself are usually the 3 main things) to the kids when you first begin the class. Also, make sure they know that you will be leaving a note for their teacher telling her who acted up and who was good:
1) Name on board: 1st infraction - name on board, 2nd - X by name means no recess or at our school they walk laps during recess, 3rd - remove from room (this can be to another teacher's room or the principal although I hesitate to send there unless it was really bad) or lose recess the next day (yes, you can do that)
2) along with the discipline plan, have a positive praise plan for those who are good so you're recognizing both good and bad behavior. When someone raises their hand before talking or whatever, say Thank you for raising your hands and following the rules. Offer extended recess to those who don't get in trouble. Let them play a fun game if they behave for a certain period of time. Bring in a bag of goofy toys (dollar store) and let them choose one at the end of the day for good behavior. Offer incentives for positive behavior!
Just make sure they know up front what is expected and what the consequences are (good and bad).

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C., first of all God Bless you!!! I'm a nurse and refuse to work with children except in an outpatient method! I truly do not know how you manage to handle the smart mouths! I cringe at my children's friends for the way they speak to me and my children! That being said, the only advice I can give you is to redirect. That seems to work best for the younger children. As for discipline...my 5th grader really does not like it when she gets her name on the board, if it stays there, nothing positive to correct it, then she loses her recess privilege. Really seems to upset her. Lets see, for my son, they have a cute thing...he's in Kindergarten and the teacher has 3 colored clothespins that they each have. If they break a "rule" then they lose a pin...after 3 days, if they still have all 3 they get a treasure from the treasure box. My son loves it! I'm sure that would be difficult for you since you are a substitute, but it's the best I can offer!!! Again, my thanks and best to you! I sub at hospitals and as long as everyone is still breathing at the end of the day....and I know I don't have to go back to that floor....I feel better!!! Take care and good luck!

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Hi C.,

I subbed overseas 3rd through 12th grades in music. I'd have between 27 and 80 students at a time, though mostly 27 little ones, and 50 high schoolers. Whew!

I would NOT recommend taking recess away from the younger kids. They need to run around outside so that they can calm down inside. Though it is a punishment to miss recess, what you need is cooperation more than they need punishment. So do what helps you instead of making a point.

Try the following along with some of the other ladies' suggestions: bring a bag of candy that the school nurse deems okay for your class. "Catch" kids doing what you've asked them to do, especially during transition time - you've told them that everyone is to open their workbooks, or go from the circle to their desks without talking, etc. Go to the board and write names of a few kids who are the best examples of what you asked for, and tell them that they are earning points. After lunch, give the kids with points a piece of candy in front of the other kids. Then erase their names. The other kids will hopefully want a chance at getting candy too. I learned that from one of the teachers at my school. It reminded me of something my mom told me she did. She was a first grade teacher for many years. She would only write the names of the kids who were doing their work the best or behaving the best on the board. She never wrote the names of kids who misbehaved. This gave the kids credit in front of everyone for doing a good job, and my mom would give them some sort of a treat once every few days - they never knew when being good would pay off, so they kept trying for it. You might try that too if you are subbing for a full week or more in the same class.

Pair this strategy with teaching the kids this trick: when you want to quiet the din, or keep noise from happening in the first place, especially during lining up for lunch or going outside, or even transitioning that includes walking around the room, put your hand in the air and in a medium voice (not too loud, not too soft) count backwards from 5 to 1 (both with your hand and voice) and after 1, put your hand in a fist, still in the air, and say "Hand Signal". All the children are supposed to do that with you. So everyone ends up having their fist up in the air by the time you finish, and there should be no talking at that point, with everyone doing what they are supposed to be doing. That is helpful even out in the hallway before everyone starts walking. Don't do it too many times in the day, or it will lose its effectiveness. Another idea is to say "One, two, three, eyes on me" and they say back, in a two rhythm instead of a three rhythm, "Onnne, Twooo, eyes on you." Use your fingers to count to 3 while you're counting out loud, and then put your fingers over your mouth (you don't have to touch your mouth), and that helps them remember to be more quiet.

Another thing you can say if they start talking during your lesson, is "Who's listening?" Raise your hand when you say it. Lots of kids will raise their hands to answer you, and that makes them think about listening to you. (The funny thing is when some kid calls out "I am!" and I sweetly tell them that if they are talking, they aren't listening.) Eventually kids giggle at that kid because they all know they aren't supposed to answer that question out loud! LOL!

One thing a 3rd grade teacher I worked with did that I liked is not allow anyone to ask "Can I go to the bathoom, or can I have water" to her. They had to show her a hand signal. It is amazing how much noise asking to go causes! LOL! Bathroom is crossing your index and 3rd finger (like for luck!), dropping the wrist, and waving the fingers. Water is holding up 3 fingers touching together and waving it. You might try that.

Good luck!
D.

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