I am profound as well as due 9/23. School starts 8/29. Hopefully we will be there to flog things off for a initial dual weeks during least. we am training 3 blocks of a same subject. I’ve compliled a cover full of notes, tests, quizzes, as well as alternative worksheets as well as activities along with their keys. The underling is additionally a late clergyman in a theme area. Do we need to do skeleton week by week or section by chapter, or only give her a cover as well as a luminary manager book as well as let her do her thing. Kinda stressing. Thanks!
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I had the same situation a couple of years ago. I taught 3 blocks of Language Arts. I went ahead and did a few weeks of plans so she had an idea of how I wanted things done and then the last half was more of a rough outline. I think it is important that she conduct class as close to what you want as can be. When you get back, you don’t want to have to retrain them. They will be used to her ways but if you set up a good routine for her to follow, it will make life easier.
You will want to give as much direction as you can. This is your class, and you will want it to be at the point you expect when you return. As this is a retired teacher in the subject area, he/she is going to have some ways they want to teach the subject material. You prob. don’t need to give exact plans. Provide a curriculum map of sorts. Scope and sequence of the standards/skills/chapters whatever. Also, I would provide clear direction on classroom procedures. This is not to they will do EVERYTHING your way, but there may be some things that you want to ensure the students don’t get out of the habit of doing. Ex. journaling, particular weekly assignments, certain important projects that must be done to set up the rest of your year… Also, some classroom management things. Ex. you may use some economy system or other things that need to be continued.
Respect the person and their experience. Tell them that they have freedom to teach as they would have in their own room, but that there are a few things you will need them to do to ensure a successful year upon your return. I think the sub would respect that.
They’ve prob. been there at some point.
I would pair her up with another teacher of the same subjects. They can compare notes on pacing and the permanent teacher can help her if needed. That’s what all my pregnant teacher friends have done in the past.
This also happened to me, however my son was born in early August and I was not even able to start the school year. The best advice I can give you is show the sub the curriculum that you use and give a general idea of the pacing she should keep. From there she should be coming up with the lesson plans. You could offer to help her out by getting the first couple of weeks worth of plans written, then meet with her to help plan a couple of times while you are on leave. Because it is nearly impossible to plan weeks and weeks of detailed lesson plans in advance, it would be difficult for you to do 6-12 weeks of lesson plans for while you are gone. I would also talk with another teacher at your grade level and/or subject area and ask that he/she help out your sub if needed. Repay that teacher by helping him/her out during the school year, too.
Whatever you decide to do, continue checking with your sub to see if she needs anything…materials or help with plans. Also request that she keep a copy of all plans for you so that you can see what was done while you were out. Odds are since she is a retired teacher in that same subject area things will be fine, but be prepared to do a review of things when you return so that you can see for yourself where your students are. Perhaps you could create a test to give them before you leave that covers the material you want taught while you are out, and then give them the same exact test after you get back…the pre-test/post-test idea. This will show you exactly what they learned while you were out and what you need to go back over.
But, most importantly, ENJOY YOUR NEW BABY!!!!! School will be there when you get back. Things will go just fine. Don’t put a lot of time into work while you are on leave or stress yourself out too much before your leave. Your leave is meant for you to get to know your baby recover from the delivery. Congrats on the new addition to your family!!!!!!!!
Create a syllabus about what your plans are for the entire semester. It will give the sub an idea of what you expect to be done and when. If the sub has an idea of what units and chapters are to be completed, it will be more likely to get finished. This is normally called a scope and sequence. In your syllabus explain how the students are to be graded, what your expectations are for quality of work and discipline. Explain the weight of the grades. If you have an idea of each days lesson at this point, put that in there for the Quarter you will be gone. Print one out for EACH student and the sub. have the students and their parents SIGN it. This way everyone is on the same page and if a parent or administrator questions something, you can prove you set out everything in advance. It will not matter if the sub enforces it, when you get back YOU will.
I think you should cover the chapters in the book that you want covered (as in, teach ch. 4, 5, 6, etc.). Since she’s a retired teacher, she won’t need as much direction as subs that stay for the day/week. You should include the notebook and maybe use sticky notes or something to point out really good stuff you’d like her to use. You should also sit down with her sometime before you’re due so she can ask questions. Congrats on the pregnancy! I’ll have the same “problem” in January.
Something’s in the water at my school, so I’ve seen how all the other teachers prepare their sub plans for maternity leave.
I have been the long term sub on a few occasions. It is extremely helpful to provide plans, however, no one can spend everyday pretending to be someone else. The sub must have the freedom to be herself and teach from her own strengths and abilities. It is awesome that you have someone with experience to take over and you are going to have to trust her.
The best experience I had as a long term sub was when the teacher provided me with notebooks of lessons/exercises/quizzes, etc. and said, “Use anything that helps. Discard anything that doesn’t.” It sounds like you are on the right track.