History and social studies are natural fits for sub days, because the core skills of reading sources, sourcing documents and building an argument all happen on paper. A good high school history sub plan uses a short background reading, a small set of primary and secondary sources and a writing task that asks students to use evidence to answer a historical question. It works for US History, World History and Government with the same structure.
A short context reading ensures every student can understand the sources, even if they missed recent classes.
Ask who created each source, when, why and for whom. It is the foundation of document-based questions.
End with a claim students must support with at least two sources, mirroring DBQ-style writing.
A quick link to a current issue helps students see why the history matters and keeps discussion going.
History sub plans often fall into the trap of a documentary with a fill-in worksheet, which keeps students quiet but rarely builds skills. Documents with sourcing questions and a short written argument are more useful. Choose documents of manageable length and include a short glossary for archaic vocabulary. If the unit includes sensitive material, such as genocide or racial violence, save those lessons for when you can lead the discussion yourself and set related work on context or causes instead.
Mix and match to fill the period. Every one works on paper with no specialist knowledge.
A historical photo or cartoon with observe, reflect and question prompts.
A one-page background reading on the event or era, with four comprehension questions.
Three short documents with sourcing questions on author, purpose, audience and historical context.
Students write a thesis and a body paragraph answering a historical question using at least two documents.
A graphic organizer linking causes, the event and short- and long-term effects.
One way the event connects to an issue or debate 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 Grades 9-12. Edit it, then download as Word, Google Docs or PDF.
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Yes. Choose the course and type the unit, such as the Cold War or the Bill of Rights, and the information box, questions and model answers are written for it.
Use your own. Paste a primary source excerpt into the topic box and the questions are built around it, so students work with real evidence you have chosen.
Background first, Sourcing skills, Argument with evidence, Connect to today. A short context reading ensures every student can understand the sources, even if they missed recent classes.
The 6 activities on this page add up to about 60 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.
Printed readings and documents for every student; Seating charts for every section; Students with IEP or 504 accommodations. 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.