An elementary sub plan covers a full day in a self-contained classroom, so it is really a schedule with lessons attached. Young students thrive on routine, which means the best elementary sub plans keep the usual flow, from morning meeting to read-aloud to math block, and swap in independent practice that does not need the classroom teacher. Keep directions short, add visuals and plan more activities than you think the day needs.
Write the plan in the same order as your normal day, with times, so the substitute and the students both know what comes next.
Rotate between sitting, moving, talking and working on paper. Long independent stretches rarely work with a guest teacher.
Review recent phonics, math facts and reading strategies rather than introducing a new standard that you will need to reteach.
A clearly labeled early-finisher bin or task stops the quickest students from becoming a distraction.
Elementary sub days often go wrong at transitions: lining up, specials, lunch and dismissal. Spell those out in detail, including who walks where and when, and which students leave early for services. Avoid plans that depend on technology, centers with complex setups or anything involving glue and glitter unless an aide will be there. A short list of two or three reliable student helpers is gold for a substitute who does not yet know anyone's name or the routines of the building.
Mix and match to fill the period. Every one works on paper with no specialist knowledge.
Greeting, calendar and a simple share question the sub can read from a card, keeping the class's familiar start to the day.
The sub reads a picture book, then students complete a beginning, middle and end retell with drawings and sentences.
A word sort on the current spelling pattern, followed by writing three words in sentences.
Three short stations, such as a fact practice page, a number line task and a shape hunt, that tables rotate through.
Students make a simple folded booklet about the current unit topic, with one fact and one drawing per page.
A movement break the class already knows, then a circle where students share one thing they learned today.
The checklist that stops the sub day going wrong before it starts.
Type your topic and LessonHQ writes a sub plan with sub directions, word-for-word scripts, timed tasks, early-finisher work and an answer key, already set to Kindergarten to grade 5. Edit it, then download as Word, Google Docs or PDF.
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Make one sub plan per block in a few minutes each, for reading, math and science or social studies. Each includes sub-friendly directions, timings and answer keys.
Kindergarten subs work best with picture-led, hands-on tasks. Choose Grade 1 and simple topics, then add your class routines in the sub notes. Activities stay short and visual.
Follow the daily schedule, Short, varied blocks, Practice, not new skills, Built-in fast finishers. Write the plan in the same order as your normal day, with times, so the substitute and the students both know what comes next.
The 6 activities on this page add up to about 105 minutes, so pick the ones that fit your class period or block. LessonHQ lets you set the length from 30 to 120 minutes and times every section for you.
Daily schedule with specials, recess, lunch and dismissal times; Dismissal list: bus riders, car riders, walkers and after-school care; Allergy, medical and behavior plan information, plus the nurse's extension. Our free sub plan binder template has space for all of it.
Yes, you can start free with no card. Paid plans add higher monthly limits. Every sub plan exports to Word, Google Docs or PDF, fully editable.