Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on February 22, 2023 5:55 pm Add to Favorites aVuSyT Reps: 200 Substitute Chaos Every classroom reacts differently to a substitute teacher. What would you do if you were subbing and the class refused to listen to you and was poorly behaved?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted February 23, 2023 3:36 am ugaSup Reps: 103 I have been in this exact situation, as I am currently a substitute teacher. Students tend to pay less attention when a sub is there, it sucks to be the bad guy and of course, you want the kids to like you, but there are still things to be done, even though the teacher is gone. If the behavior is progressively getting worse throughout the day, I would get the class's attention and explain to them that there is work that needs to be completed, and if they decide to not work or to not listen to me, I would tell them that I would have to leave a note for their teacher. I would also give them an incentive for them to complete their work, like an extra recess at the end of the day or to be able to play a game. Sometimes assistance from someone from the office may be needed to help get back on track, it's never a bad thing to ask for help. The most important thing to remember is to just get through the day and complete as much of what the teacher left for you as possible. If issues arise, leave a note to explain everything to the teacher. Some classes are especially difficult, but as long as you did everything you could, you'll be alright. Votes: +8 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution puRyMe Reps: 101 This solution is very well thought out and I feel would prove to be successful.   Posted on: July 19, 2023 5:40 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted February 23, 2023 2:19 am Tristan Reps: 101 Some schools send in the behavior team to calm down the students after the sub calls the office, but what I think will also help is if the school has an Instructional Assistant (IA) for that grade. The IA can then pop into that classroom more often to help keep the students under control and calm as the sub is teaching the lesson. Votes: +5 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted February 24, 2023 1:42 am Nataly Rovira Reps: 100 The best thing to do is to leave a detailed note describing the events that went on that day. The reality is that some students simply won't listen but a way to combat this is for the teacher to leave detailed sub plans. Votes: +5 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted February 26, 2023 3:37 pm deXaTa Reps: 101 You could try to play along with the chaos, but making sure that all instructional activities get done; meaning exhibiting a work hard, play hard personality. It doesn’t always have to be law and order. Votes: +4 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted February 24, 2023 9:05 pm nySyne Reps: 200 Making a note to the teacher at the beginning of the day, and letting students know that it will be left for their teacher to see the next day is something that worked well for me. You just let them know every time you're adding something to the note, or give them a warning. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted February 27, 2023 1:49 am atyraQ Reps: 203 It is funny because most of the time when it is a planned substitution or there is premade work for the substitute I remember that those assignments were super easy and simple, usually being able to be completed in half to three quarters of the class time. If that is the case I would introduce yourself and then explicitly say something along the lines of "this assignment was left for you guys to complete today. As long as you complete the assignment you can use the remainder of class time to do work from other classes or converse quietly with other students who have completed their assignment." This will give the students the impression that you gave them a freedom reward, gaining their respect while also making sure they complete their work. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted February 22, 2023 10:11 pm Andrea Cavic Reps: 102 I would turn the chaos into something fun! I was a sub once and I used to come up with nonverbal hand signals that the students came up with and that is what we used the rest of the day to communicate certain things. Votes: +3 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted February 23, 2023 3:33 am ugaSup Reps: 103 I have been in this exact situation, as I am currently a substitute teacher. Students tend to pay less attention when a sub is there, it sucks to be the bad guy and of course, you want the kids to like you, but there are still things to be done, even though the teacher is gone. If the behavior is progressively getting worse throughout the day, I would get the class's attention and explain to them that there is work that needs to be completed, and if they decide to not work or to not listen to me, I would tell them that I would have to leave a note for their teacher. I would also give them an incentive for them to complete their work, like an extra recess at the end of the day or to be able to play a game. Sometimes assistance from someone from the office may be needed to help get back on track, it's never a bad thing to ask for help. The most important thing to remember is to just get through the day and complete as much of what the teacher left for you as possible. If issues arise, leave a note to explain everything to the teacher. Some classes are especially difficult, but as long as you did everything you could, you'll be alright. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted February 27, 2023 7:45 am uByXeh Reps: 201 I would create an anchor chart of a flower stem. I would ask the sub to add a petal every time the students are on task and listening. I will ask the sub to take off petals when students aren’t listening and are misbehaving. Each petal is 5 minutes of recess added or subtracted. Votes: +2 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution puRyMe Reps: 101 This solution could work, but it is a bit much for a sub to be doing.   Posted on: July 19, 2023 5:42 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted February 26, 2023 12:41 pm yHyZuL Reps: 101 I think that asserting yourself to the class and letting them know that it will not be a free day is very important. I also think body posture and voice command are important. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 11 Posted March 12, 2023 11:09 am yDapem Reps: 200 Re-inforce your authoritative position, and why you are there. Coordinate with the original educator with a plan that can help provide you authority Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution puRyMe Reps: 101 I like this. Also, it may be effective to write the teacher a note on how the day went.   Posted on: July 19, 2023 5:42 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 12 Posted October 7, 2023 7:36 pm paTedu Reps: 101 From what I read in the responses, they all want to be liked. that is the mistake. I do not think your job as a sub is to be liked. your job is to give them the work so they do not fall behind and that should be established from the begging. you are not there to make friends but to do your job. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 13 Posted October 7, 2023 8:37 pm ubuVeb Reps: 100 I have had this happen. I am a substitute teacher. I use a stern but not rude voice and let them know that I will not talk while they are talking. I let them know that I believe in respect. I expect respect and in return I will give respect. If that does not work, then I praise the students that are behaving and have found that the others want praising also and will stop what they are doing. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 14 Posted October 31, 2023 7:59 am yzeqeT Reps: 101 I would let them know at the beginning of class what the teacher expects to be done today. I would also let them know that for those who poorly misbehave and often disrupt their classmates, a note will be left for the teacher. On that note, I would specify which student and what happened. Not just a general note of "class was misbehaving." Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.