4 Easy Substitute Teacher Lesson Plans for ELA

Teaching is one of those careers where taking a day off can be more work than your typical workday. Preparing lesson plans for a substitute teacher can be filed under the torture category, truly. Throw in a possible stomach bug, and all bets are off for how miserable this experience can be. But I sincerely believe that you shouldn’t have to dread taking time off. Whether you’re sick, have a fun vacation planned, or just need a mental health day, creating substitute plans shouldn’t hold you back. You need something quick and easy to prepare. 

What to Prepare for a Substitute 

When preparing substitute teacher lesson plans, it’s important to remember that things that are second nature to you might be completely foreign to them. Leaving a quick note about where the cafeteria is or where to find extra pencils can go a long way. Make sure to always leave a class list for each of your class periods, as well as a schedule, classroom management highlights, and important phone numbers. 

The goal when preparing for a sub is to make the day as predictable as possible. Set things up on your desk to minimize the need for them to hunt around. Clip together any handouts they’ll need and put them in a pile right under your substitute lesson plans. It’s also a good idea to include an empty folder where they can easily collect and organize completed work. 

Substitute Teacher Lesson Plans

I know that preparing your sub plans ahead of time is just one more thing to add to the neverending list but trust me when I say that it’s way better than trying to piece together plans when you have a fever or a plane to catch. When you have your substitute teacher lesson plans done ahead of time, you don’t have to worry about taking the day off. Here are substitute plans you can whip together ahead of time (or when you need something last minute).

# 1 Close Reading Passages

Close reading passages are great activities to leave for substitute teachers. They are easy all around: easy to prep, easy for the substitute teacher to follow, and easy for students to complete (with minimal guidance). With close reading passages, you can staple everything together, so the sub only has to pass out and collect one packet from each student. Close reading passages help support students’ reading skills and comprehension, and they’re a perfect activity to review together as a class when you return.

Looking for some engaging and high-interest close reading passages to use for your next substitute teacher lesson plans? I’ve got you covered! Your students will love exploring history by reading about Al Capone’s fascinating life and Anne Frank’s incredible bravery. Or, get students thinking about more current events with a close reading passage discussing sugar consumption. Whichever close reading passage you choose, your substitute teacher will be thankful for the engaging activity, and you can be confident your students will still be practicing those critical thinking and reading comprehension skills.

#2 Writing Exercise

Another simple activity to leave for substitute teacher lesson plans is a writing exercise. Give students a quick prompt to answer, and have them practice editing and revising. Or, if you feel like your class can handle collaboration while you’re gone, allow students to swap papers and revise and edit for a peer. 

Using a writing exercise for substitute lesson plans will keep your students reviewing important writing skills like creating drafts, editing, and revising. There is really no such thing as too much writing practice, and this type of activity is easy to set up in advance. The biggest challenge with leaving this activity for a substitute teacher is that students may need more support than a substitute can provide.

#3 TED-Ed Video 

This is a substitute lesson plan activity that your students will love. Have students watch a TED-Ed video. You can pick the video, or you allow your students to choose their own. After watching, have students write a response to the video. You can have them write a summary, an analysis, or an argument in support of or against the content of the video. 

Your students will get a lot of writing practice, challenge their critical thinking skills, and practice analyzing. Utilizing a TED-Ed video is an easy way to add student choice and autonomy into your substitute teacher lesson plans. Be mindful that adding technology into the mix can definitely create some challenges. Technology provides more opportunities for students to get off task, and there’s even a chance that the substitute teacher won’t be familiar with their devices, so use this activity idea with caution.

#4 Independent Reading

This is hands down the lowest-prep idea for a lesson plan for your substitute teacher. It’s important to give students time to read independently during class, and a class period with a sub is a perfect time to build this in. Students will have the opportunity to build their reading stamina, and the substitute won’t have to manage anything too complicated. 

I wouldn’t use independent reading with a substitute until you’ve established expectations for independent reading in your classroom because it is definitely an easy chance for students to get off task. If you sense that your students may not be able to handle just reading for the entire class period, you can prepare a summarizing activity for them to complete about whatever book they’re reading.

Remember, preparing substitute teacher lesson plans doesn’t have to take forever. Get ahead on lesson plans now, so that you can take a day off whenever you need it without the stress.