Ever wondered how to prepare for a substitute teacher in an art class? It’s happened to all of us—you need to be out for the day, but the idea of leaving your creative classroom in someone else’s hands can feel overwhelming. Let’s face it: art class isn’t like any other subject. Between managing supplies, keeping students engaged, and maintaining creative projects, the thought of preparing for a substitute teacher can make any art teacher a little anxious.
But here’s the thing: with a little preparation, you can ensure a smooth day for everyone.
In this guide, you’ll discover essential tips and tricks on how to prepare for a substitute teacher in an art class. Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How to make the substitute teacher feel welcome and comfortable.
- The best ways to keep your art class routine consistent and manageable.
- Which materials and activities to use (and avoid) to reduce mess and stress.
- How to organize a foolproof substitute folder with everything they’ll need.
- Simple, effective art lesson plans that keep students engaged and learning.
- How to create an editable sub binder that makes planning easy and efficient.
Whether you’re out for one day or a few, these simple steps will help your students stay on track, keep the sub happy, and ensure your classroom runs as smoothly as if you were there.
1. Create a Welcoming Atmosphere for Your Substitute
Let’s be real—teaching art can be a challenge for substitutes who aren’t used to the creative chaos of an art classroom! The more you prepare and make them feel welcome, the smoother their day will go—and the less likely they’ll be looking for the exit by the end of the day. This is a crucial part of how to prepare for a substitute teacher in art class.
Here’s how to make it easier for them:
- Clear Instructions: Leave a friendly note with a rundown of the class routine, what supplies to avoid, and what they can expect. The clearer you are, the more stress-free their day will be, allowing them to focus on engaging with your students rather than struggling with confusion.
- Supply Guide: Provide a simple guide to where supplies are located and which materials should be used or avoided. This helps prevent messes and keeps everything running smoothly.
- Student Expectations: Briefly outline your classroom rules and any special instructions for individual students. This ensures substitutes can manage behavior effectively and maintain your classroom’s routine.
By setting up your substitute teacher for success, you create a better learning experience for your students, ensuring the day runs smoothly in your absence.
2. Stick to Routine—but Keep it Simple
When it comes to preparing for a substitute teacher in art class, consistency is key. Substitutes love routine, and let’s face it, so do students! Before your absence, have a quick chat with your class to go over the “substitute teacher game plan.” Remind them that all class expectations still apply when you’re gone, and explain the importance of turning in assignments.
As tempting as it is to let your students continue their projects, it’s best to leave a simple, skill-based activity instead. Projects can get tricky without your guidance—especially when grades are on the line. Simple art lesson plans like a shading worksheet or a symmetry drawing can help reinforce skills without the stress.
Click on the images below for some lesson ideas!
3. Avoid Messy Materials
One thing that can overwhelm a substitute in an art class is dealing with messy materials. Art teachers know better than anyone that some supplies can turn a classroom upside down. To make life easier for your substitute and avoid any major cleanup headaches, keep these tips in mind:
- Skip the Messy Supplies: Avoid using paints, clay, or other materials that could lead to chaos. These items can be tricky and time-consuming for a substitute who isn’t familiar with your setup.
- Stick to Dry Media: Opt for dry materials like colored pencils or markers. These are much easier to manage and clean up, helping your substitute stay focused on teaching rather than worrying about messes.
- Limit High-Risk Tools: Keep messy supplies that require a lot of cleanup to a minimum. Don’t allow students to paint or use sharp tools such as linoleum cutters or X-acto blades to limit risk and keep the cleanup process easy for the students and substitute.
By choosing less messy materials and avoiding risky tools, you not only make it easier for your substitute to manage the class, but you also ensure a smoother, stress-free experience for everyone involved.
4. Prepare a Foolproof Sub Folder
One of the best ways to prepare for a substitute teacher in your art class is by creating a well-organized sub folder. This gives your substitute all the information they need to manage the day successfully.
Here’s what to include:
- Daily Schedule: A detailed schedule of the day helps the substitute stay on track and know exactly what to expect.
- Updated Rosters: Make sure your class rosters are up to date, especially if there have been recent student transfers.
- Seating Charts: If you use assigned seating, including a seating chart will help your substitute identify students easily.
- Emergency Procedures: Always include emergency procedures like fire drills, lockdowns, and other protocols.
- Sub Attendance Forms: Tracking attendance can be made easier for your substitute by including a form for each class.
A well-prepared sub folder can make the difference between a chaotic day and one that runs smoothly.
5. Leave Printed Assignments Ready to Go
When you’re preparing for a substitute teacher in your art class, having ready-to-go lesson plans is key to keeping things smooth. The last thing you want is to scramble for sub plans last minute!
- Prepare in Advance: Keep a stack of printed, easy-to-follow assignments on your desk. This way, even if you have to be out unexpectedly, your substitute teacher knows your art students are covered. I recommend having at least three different activities printed and ready, especially if you might be away for a longer period.
- Pro Tip: Include a note with clear instructions for making additional copies if needed. Also, let the substitute know where the copier is located—because let’s face it, navigating a new school’s copier can feel like a quest!
Bonus! To keep your sub plans organized and easy to access, I’ve included handy Sub Plan Copies #1, #2, & #3 cover pages in my template pack. These covers match the binder design and can be used to clearly label and separate your sub plan copies, making your substitute’s day even easier. Download them here!
By preparing your substitute teacher binder with printed assignments and using these labeled covers, you make it easy for your substitute to manage the class, ensuring that your art students stay engaged and productive even when you’re not there.
6. Use Simple, Engaging Activities for Your Students
Keeping students engaged is one of the most important things to ensure your substitute teacher in the art class has a successful day. Opt for simple activities that don’t require a lot of prep but still encourage creativity and learning.
- Choose Independent Activities: Activities like drawing or doodling worksheets are perfect. They keep students busy without needing much intervention from the substitute.
- Fun, Low-Maintenance Tasks: Mystery grid drawings and symmetry challenges are always a hit. They’re easy to manage, require minimal supplies, and engage students in creative thinking.
As tempting as it is to let your students continue their projects, it’s best to leave a simple, skill-based activity instead. Projects can get tricky without your guidance—especially when grades are on the line. Simple art lesson plans like a shading worksheet or a symmetry drawing can help reinforce skills without the stress.
Click on the images below for some lesson ideas!
Bonus Tip: Keep an Editable Sub Binder Handy
Want to make preparing for a substitute teacher in art class even easier? Consider creating an editable sub binder tailor-made for your classroom. This is where organization meets ease of use, and it’s a total game-changer.
- Use Dividers for Clarity: Separate your binder into clear sections, such as schedules, rosters, emergency procedures, and lesson plans.
- Incorporate Templates: If your school doesn’t provide all the necessary documents, no worries! You can use my free pre-made templates to copy and paste information easily.
Need a head start? Download my free 44-page substitute binder template designed specifically to help you prepare for a substitute teacher. These templates include everything from daily schedules to ready-to-go art lesson plans that are easy for substitutes to follow.
FREEBIE ALERT!
Learning how to prepare for a substitute teacher in your art class doesn’t have to be stressful. By following these simple tips and leaving easy-to-follow instructions, you can ensure a smooth day for both your students and your substitute.
Want to make this process even easier? Download my FREE 44-page substitute binder template, which includes everything you need to organize your sub plans—from editable daily schedules to ready-to-go art lesson plans that engage students and keep the day running smoothly. Here’s what’s included in the binder:
- Sub Teacher Binder Cover
- Table of Contents
- Welcome & Thank You Cover and Page
- Important Schedules: Teacher Schedule, Bell Schedule
- Classroom Information: Student Photos Page, Helpful Students Page, Seating Chart, Medical Alerts
- Class Procedures: Arrival Routine, Dismissal Routine, Bathroom Procedure
- Lesson Plans: Lesson Plan Template, Instructional Template, Sub Plans Template, Ready-to-Go Art Lesson Plans with engaging ideas that are easy for a substitute to follow
- Emergency Procedures: Fire Drill Procedures, Earthquake Drill Procedure, Hurricane Procedure, Shelter-in-Place Procedure, Lockdown Procedure, Emergency Contact Page
- School Information: Important School Contacts, School Vicinity Map
- Feedback and Final Thank You: Feedback Report Cover, Report Form Page, Final Thank You Page
With these templates, you’ll not only have a well-organized binder but also ready-to-go art lesson plans that keep your students engaged and on track.
👉 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE 44-PAGE SUBSTITUTE BINDER TEMPLATE 👈
This binder will help you stay prepared, ensuring that your class and substitute teacher have everything they need for a successful day.
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