Product Description

Become the go-to substitute teacher that every school district is searching for.

Ask any school administrator: a top-notch substitute teacher is golden, and this book gives you the Midas touch. Substitute Teaching from A to Z is a one-stop resource, whether you’re a full-timer, just breaking in, or starting out as a career educator. Reinforced with true life tales from real substitute teachers and the stories of how they solved their biggest challenges, this book is a comprehensive guide written by a veteran teaching expert who specializes in training subs.

You'll learn insider tricks on how to:

• Show school administrators you have the right stuff for the job
• Choose the most appropriate grades, subjects, and school districts for you
• Forge great relationships with everyone you work with
• Land the best classroom assignments
• Face a new class with confidence
• Maintain discipline, work without a lesson plan, and much more

Customer Reviews (21)

Mediocre, I'm sure there are better
This book has some good stuff in it, sure, but in general I'd say it's mediocre. The book gives advice without going into enough detail in many cases. It also seems to be more geared towards subbing in elementary schools, which is fine if that's what you do, but I do middle & high mostly. There should be much more on classroom management/discipline, divided into age groups. I'm sure there are better books, I hope anyway.

Helpful, insghtful guide for Substitutes
This book has been a wonderful guide for me. As a new teacher, finding a full time job has been difficult. But subbing has been my foot in the door. My friend told me about Substitute Teaching from A to Z. It has given me ideas on how to handle a classroom. The real life stories are really interesting, and they provide concrete ideas in an easy to understand manner. The Dear Barbara letters give real life problems and solutions.I would recommend this book to new Subs and even new teachers!

This book is useful
Although this book targets k-8, and I also intend to teach 9-12, I found many of the ideas universal and helpful for any grade level. Other ideas were grade specific and will help with younger learners. I have yet to check out the AtoZ website, but it was nice to find out about all the resources the book lists near the end of the book. When I start substitute teaching, I expect this book will come in handy. I especially liked how each section was broken up into alphabetical topics and had interesting stories and tips. Relevant for me was the story about the teacher who never shouted, which the author indicated was a sign that a teacher has no control if they are shouting. This book is at the top of my list.

Most Amazing Book Ever!
I purchased this book a few months ago and I absolutely love all of the advice given in it. I have this book in my substitute bag and bring it with me on each of my assignments. Just knowing that I have the answer to almost any question I may have right there at my fingertips gives me such a sense of comfort. I would highly recommend this book to any and all substitute or first year teachers!

The Bible of Substitute Teaching
I got this book to learn about becoming a substitute teacher. Could I even do it? This book led me to believe, "Of course YOU can do it!". It lets you believe anyone who wants to can do it. It's a very positive book. The book tells you exactly how to do it: how to prepare for your first day, what to bring with you, how to address the class, how to handle ANY problems whatsoever that may come your way, lists or resources, even ideas about how to teach the specials - music, gym, art, special education. I took notes along the way and am adding them to my "bag of tricks". This really is a must read for anyone going into substitute teaching. You will finish this book feeling very positive about subbing. I actually couldn't wait to get back to reading it each night! ... Read more

Product Description
When substitute teachers are assigned to a classroom, they often have no directions, no lessons plans, no information and little hope of success.  The Substitute Teaching Survival Guide offers substitute (and regular) teachers of grades 6-12 a welcome resource for planning and implementing a productive day of student learning. The Substitute Teaching Survival Guide is filled with helpful suggestions and tips for maintaining order in the classroom and includes 67 ready-to-use emergency lesson plans for language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science targeted for students in grades 6-12. Written for both the experienced and novice substitute teacher, the book also includes 152 suggestions and a daily outline of activities. The book can also be used by regular classroom teachers and principals who want to plan ahead for classroom absences, or by anyone who has to quickly cover a class.  

... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Not at all helpful
This book is very random and not at all helpful. The cut-and-paste lesson plans are based on specific topics that most likely aren't going to be relevant to the students. And besides, the students won't do the work if they know they won't be graded on it. And the worst advice was to just leave the classroom, or "walk," if the classroom gets out of control. You may as well turn in your badge because you won't be working for the district ever again.

A useful book would talk about what to do if the teacher leaves lesson plans that are too short for the time period or no lesson plans at all. Bringing in un-gradable, non-standards-based lesson plans won't cut it. It would be better to just let the kids have study period. There's more advice for the permanent teacher than the sub in the book. But even then, the writing is just random and long-winded. Don't bother with this book.

not too impressed
The problem I had with this book is that large parts of it are not directed toward the substitute teacher at all.In Chapter 3, he spent most of the time discussing what the regular classroom teacher should do for the substitute, not what the substitute should do with the plans.I have no control over what the regular teacher leaves or what the administration does, so this is not helpful to me at all.

I dropped my teeth when he suggested that if a classroom situation becomes untenable, or you start to lose control, you should "walk", that is, leave the classroom.Huh?I would never be called back to a school if I were to do that, not to mention that it strikes me as a bit cowardly.The only excuse I could think of to walk out on a class is violence, and then you're going to leave the other kids in there?No way--the pay for subs is low, but I'm a mom as well as a teacher.

Some of the advice was good, but overall it's not a useful book.

Not reccommended
A substitute teacher has rules to follow, and the first and main rule is one.STAY IN THE CLASSROOM. Stay with the class, never leave them alone.A book that advises a substitute to leave the classroom is one that is suspect, if not dangerous.It exposes a sub who follows that advice to legal liability and possibly criminal negligence should such advice be followed.

In addition to that poor advice the book's lesson plans are a copy-and-paste job, repetitious and dull, and the book tends to be steeped in a political correctness that will not age well.

Substitute Teaching Survival Guide
This book has many specific suggestions and good lesson plans.I found it very useful!

Fairly useful
This book is divided into two sections. The first is advice for substitute teachers. It is very useful if you are a brand new sub and have never taught before. The second section is sample lesson plans, in case the teacher doesn't leave you one. I have a couple problems with the plans, in that most of the classes in my district are block periods, whereas these are set up to be 45-50 minutes. You could do a couple of them, but I have the feeling that the kids would be bored and quit paying attention to you. They also seem irrelevant to me, unless you were able to find a plan that fit in with where the class was at the time. I think a better backup substitute plan would be an age-appropriate video, and then use this book if you can't use the video. I realize that it is better to teach the kids something, but sometimes you gotta cut your losses. If the class is unruly a video is going to work a lot better than plans from this book. However, it is definitely a resource that I bring with me just in case, and since it's not too expensive, I think it's a worthwhile investment for a new substitute teacher. ... Read more

Product Description
The Substitute Teaching Survival Guide is filled with helpful suggestions and tips for maintaining order in the classroom. The book includes 144 ready-to-use emergency lesson plans for grades K¾5 and contains useful suggestions and 24 learning exercises for each grade level. Written for both the experienced and novice substitute teacher, the book also contains suggestions and a daily outline of activities. The book can also be used by regular classroom teachers and principals who want to plan ahead for classroom absences, or by anyone who has to quickly cover a class.   ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Not reccommended
A substitute teacher has rules to follow, and the first and main rule is one.STAY IN THE CLASSROOM. Stay with the class, never leave them alone.A book that advises a substitute to leave the classroom is one that is suspect, if not dangerous.It exposes a sub who follows that advice to legal liability and possibly criminal negligence should such advice be followed.

In addition to that poor advice the book's lesson plans are a copy-and-paste job, repetitious and dull, and the book tends to be steeped in a political correctness that will not age well.

Lesson plans are not the best...
I purchased this book as one of 3 to use for my first year of subbing.While the advice for substitutes section is useful, many of the lesson plans are very dull and uninventive.The majority of the lesson plans invovle reading some facts to the students, writing them on the board, and having the students copy sentence after sentence after sentence.For example, having first graders print the entire national anthem is a bit much and would likely frsutrate many children.There are a few worthy lesson plans, particularly the math lessons.Overall, this is a useful book but definitely not one the best I've seen.

Great resource!
This book is good for filling in time and sparking ideas for lessons.Great guide for the adminstrative issues in a school setting.

A superb resource for substitute teachers of classes grades K-5
Printed with a "lay-flat" binding for easy photocopying, The Substitute Teaching Survival Guide is a superb resource for substitute teachers of classes grades K-5. Featuring an array of emergency lesson plans for each grade and a wealth of practical advice from retired public school teacher John Dellinger, recipient of the Distinguished Teacher Award. Although The Substitute Teaching Survival Guide is especially meant for substitute teachers, regular teachers will find it useful particularly for its sample exercises and learning-based activities, should the class get ahead of its syllabus. Lessons cover such topics as US Presidents, basic math and money, weather, features of the human body, American history and landmarks, and much more. Highly recommended.
... Read more

Product Description
This handbook provides tools to help substitute teachers walk into a new classroom, create a positive environment, and deliver instruction that meets curriculum standards. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Practical and Inspiring

While seriously looking into substitute teaching as a possibility to provide some income I found I had more questions than answers and confidence.I am so glad Cicely can offer so many defining answers in this very readable and interesting book.Her personal experiences are easy to relate to and the information is right to the point.While reading I also realized that as a student I enjoy the kind of teaching environment Cicely promotes.That is why I see this book as an encouragement for the kind of positive teaching that helps the student to be successful also.

Packs in details to help substitute teachers create a positive learning experience
Cicely Anne Rude's HOW TO SUCCEED AS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER: EVERYTHING YOU NEED FROM START TO FINISH packs in details to help substitute teachers create a positive learning experience in a new or temporary classroom setting. From eight key tips for classroom management to details on networking, pay, permits and more, substitutes receive plenty of tested and real-world examples both inside and outside the classroom environment.

Succeeding well
"How to Succeed as a Substitute Teacher" is a comprehensive and helpful book for beginning and experienced substitute teachers.It offers advice, practical experience, trouble shootingtips and suggestions for getting the most "into" and "out of' your substituting opportunities.The day to day information style as well as suggestions for further resources provide a unique, comprehensive book filled with knowledge for those involved in this important profession.

Excellent step by step starters guide
This book provided an excellent step by step guide on how to start out as a substitute teacher. It gave me everything I needed to know going in, with helpful pointers on aspects of subbing that I hadn't even thought of (such as finding out ahead of time what the normal instructor wants from you at the end of the day). Being brand new to substitute teaching, I can't begin to describe how helpful this book was to me, it saved me a lot of headache and stress.

It's important to note that this book is not a materials book, it will not give you exercises to run through during the day. It is a guide to what you will need to know as a sub, and what will help you be a successful sub. So it is important to not mistake for another activity book, because it is not.

Well worth the purchase.

sub teacher
I was totally disappointed in this book. I was not happy with the content, nor the cost. I ended up sending the book back. Out of the entire book, the only thing of interest was a substitute website that gave me a few materials. ... Read more

Product Description
The most comprehensive tools available, the SubstituteTeacher Handbooks (K-8 and 9-12), help prepare substitute teachers forthe classroom experience by providing the practical information neededto effectively manage the classroom and teach students. The handbooksteach skills and techniques in classroom management, legal issues, andteaching strategies.

Over 100 pages of fill-in activities are included in eachhandbook. There are activities for the whole class for those timeswhen the lesson plan runs short, as well as for individual studentswho finish early and need something constructive to do. Thesecomprehensive handbooks can assist substitute teachers of allexperience levels, in every grade, and with every subject.

Also recommended is the Substitute Teacher Handbook, 9-12. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Fabulous resource
I've just completed my graduate degree in elementary education, and I found this book to be a very concise and practical guide to teaching, useful to regular and substitute teachers alike. It is clear that many of the recommendations are well researched and reflect best practices as they echo much of what I have been learning in school. The book provides a nice synopsis in a highly usable format.

A big help!!!
I bought this book when I started subbing, and it had great info that I wouldn't have thought of, considering my background isn't in education. The classroom management section was to most valuable for me, although I found the whole book useful. I pack this in my sub tote everyday.

A must have book for substitutes
Like many, I because a substitute with no prior teaching experience.This book is a lifesaver!No other book I've read comes close to the down-to-earth advice it contains.I am a much better teacher because of it.

What's missing
Although I consider this book a pioneer in it's field with excellent materials, it could use with some lesson extenders.How can you take a theme and expand it to 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or all day?Also, it needs some good sponge activities.

Lifesaver
This book enabled me to become effective as a middle school substitute teacher. The activities alone saved me; the advice made me effective. It is a must for any substitute teacher. ... Read more

Product Description
The most widely-used substitute teacher handbook, now in its sixth edition features effective classroom management skills, teaching strategies, fill-in activities, and now subbing in special education settings. These research-based skills are tried and tested skills to ensure an enjoyable and productive day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

So practical and detailed
This book has been great, very practical and detailed.I feel it well prepared me for substituting.It gives specific classroom management strategies that I feel were lacking in my credential program.Highly recommended.

Okay, but too rigid.
If you buy this book used, or cheap, it's a decent read.However, I think if you buy it new you'll regret it.

Overall, the book made a ton of sense to me and gave some great tips about organization, but I found the classroom activities silly and classroom management techniques useless.

I think the activities were silly because most of them involve you going out and buying/xeroxing a bunch of stuff, and high school students in particular will see them as a waste of time.Why would a student want to do more work if he or she knew it was not going to be graded?

I think the classroom management techniques were useless because they make you waaaaaaaaaaay to rigid.First of all, it recommends that you pick 5 rules and when class starts you must relay them to the students and tell them how many warnings they will get before they are in big trouble.Kids often think it's unfair especially if you pick a minor rule (in their eyes), like keeping their hands to themselves or not play fighting, and you keep calling them out on it.Also, few if any teachers/administrators will support you (at least in my area) if you try to write a kid up or send them to the principal's office.When I look back on my early subbing experiences, I feel embarrassed because I took this book too seriously and was overly strict and rigid.This book might have worked well a decade or so back when kids had more fear of consequences and respected all adults in general, but today kids don't really respect subs because administrators rarely do either.

Very useful!
This book was required for a course I took but it has great ideas to help keep the class busy.Includes a whole section of reproducable handouts.

Substitute Teacher Handbook K-12
Great book, gives lots of information that would also help the classroom teacher. This book offers advice on how to manage classrooms, alternative activities in case the teacher fails to leave enough work for the class to do, filler activities that activate critical thinking, positive ways to change behavior in the classroom, etc. It also tells the substitute teacher how to create a "sub pack" that can be brought to each assignment, making the sub look professional as well as ensure that substitute teachers have what they need for the day, both personally and professionally. Great advice in many areas!

Excellent Comprehensive Guide
If you are looking at substitute teaching, this is an excellent guide for every level. It has a great overview of organizational and procedural information (such as what to bring with you, what to ask before you begin your day, and how to instruct students in various situations). If you already have experience teaching, you may find this part repetitive. There are also specific sections dedicated to special education classrooms and classroom management. However, the best part of this guide is the section devoted to comprehensive lesson plans and time filler activities. There is something for every single grade level and nearly every subject (even Music and Art), so if you find yourself subbing for an unfamiliar subject without lesson plans, you'll have something in your toolbox. The nice thing about many of the lesson plans is that you could easily alter them for the overhead or whiteboard so that you don't have to waste a ton of money on copies (some schools are sticklers about making copies). I have had difficulty finding material for middle and high school students that was adaptable and this guide fits the bill perfectly. ... Read more

Product Description

Supply teachers (substitute teachers) do not always receive adequate support and recognition in their 'temporary' but crucial role.In this book, Bill Rogers addresses the issues important to supply teachers and identifies the skills necessary for handling the demands they face.

He tackles the challenges of:

• Working with new students and colleagues
• Managing challenging student behavior
• Developing essential skills of discipline, assertion, and positive behavior leadership
• Making a fresh start with difficult classes
• Enhancing the professional role and status of supply teachers

Customer Reviews (1)

Bill Rogers is worth reading
I would highly recommend this book to anyone involved in supply teaching(Or relief teaching,as it is called where I live.In other places it's known as 'emergency teaching'.)
Bill Rogers has an excellent understanding of the issues involved in being a temporary teacher.This book details them and provides extremely practical advice.
Bill has written quite a few books which focus on managing student behaviour.In my view his writing on the subject is unmatched,because of the effectiveness of the strategies he outlines.
I would confidently say that this short book would be of benefit to anyone involved in temporary teaching. ... Read more

Product Description
The handbooks, both K-8 and 9-12, are complete with classroom management techniques, teaching strategies, and fill-in activities for the entire class or for those individual students who finish early. Thousands of copies have been sold to school districts and substitute teachers nationwide. This comprehensive resource assists substitute teachers of all levels, in every grade, and with every subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good in General
During a substitute orientation class we used the substitute handbook for grades K - 12. I decided to buy the handbook for my own reference. Since I was going to substitute for high school only, I decided to buy the 9 - 12 version. Unfortunately the book was almost identical to the K- 12 version. As an example it suggested using puppets. I can't see using puppets with seniors. Having said that, there are general topics that are beneficial for preparing to be a substitute teacher.

Book Review
Bought for my son who just starting substitute teaching and he felt it was a helpful handbook.

Very Helpful Handbook
I read this book cover to cover and would recommend it for any substitute teacher.It tells you things to remember from the moment your phone rings with a call to sub (what should you have by your phone and what should you ask each time they call) to what you should bring, checklists and supplies and forms to fill out to report back to the permanent teacher.Also, very good are the filler "sponge activities" to use if you have empty time.These filler activities were tailored to each specific subject area with sheets to copy and everything.For instance, what to do if you are a sub for a Spanish class and you do not know Spanish.Good ideas about discipline too and certain legalities regarding subs.All in all this is an excellent handbook.I would recommend it highly.

I HAVE SUBSTITUTED FOR OVER 3 YEARS AND THIS IS THE BEST!!!
The best book on how to substitute 9-12 students.You don't need any other book.

I''ve attended two different workshops on how to be an effective substitute teacher (each sponsored by a different entity), and they both highly recommended this book OVER ALL OTHERS ON THE SUBJECT.

Don't waste your time on anything else.

--George Stancliffe ... Read more

Product Description

Substitute teaching is one of the least glamorous areas of the teaching profession. Everyone remembers the day their class made the sub cry or refused to do work the sub assigned, or worse, because the teacher was "just a sub". This book focuses the reader's attention on the problems faced by a substitute teacher in Canadian classrooms.

The purpose of this book is threefold. First, it describes some of the difficulties and frustrations which many substitute teachers face on a daily basis. Second, I give brief examples describing the problems, the frustrations and, in some cases, the humour as seen by a real substitute teacher. And third, in a section called, "In a Perfect World", I provide suggestions outlining ways that many of the difficulties described could be alleviated, either by the classroom teacher, the school administration, or by the school board staff. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Outstanding read!
I really enjoyed reading this book-lots of funny stories to illustrate the life of a substitute teacher...someone we all remember from our youth, but had never thought of in a "the shoe's on the other foot" kind of way. A must read for high school teachers and students of all ages. On the serious side, also a great book for full-time teachers to better prepare themselves-and their classroom-for a sub. ... Read more

Product Description
"Substitute teachers who have these lesson plans in their "bag of tricks" will never again worry that they'll run out of things to do on sub days. Includes lesson plans and activities in every curriculum area plus class management suggestions. Teeming with all of the time-tested favorites of the best-selling first edition, Super Sub now offers three important new features:

o New ESL/ELL lesson plans

o Standards language provided for lessons, along with steps for teaching to standards

o Additional teaching tips for lessons

With the tools in this book, every sub can be a super sub!

" ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good Book
This is a good book for someone who has never taught before but it wasn't all that helpful to me as I primarily substitute for middle school. This book is for elementary age substitute teaching only. ... Read more

Product Description
The book that tells everything you need to know for a successful and rewarding part-time career:

What a sub does
How to qualify (it's easier than you think)
What you'll earn
How to ensure you'll work as much as you want, and where and when you want
The four keys to good subbing

Plus: A sub's bag of tricks-a wealth of brainteasers, puzzles, games, instant arts and crafts, creative play, indoor sports for rainy days, and ways to use your own special talents to keep students productively-and happily-occupied.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Substitute Teaching: A Handbook for Hassle-Free Subbing
The book arrived in great condition, the service was fast, and there weren't any problems.

WOWed BY THIS BOOK!!!
I'm absolutely WOWed by this book!I've purchased several books on substitute teaching and general elementary teaching, and THIS book is, by far, the best I've read!Ms. Ronin has brilliantly, and eloquently incorporated a sense of humor and friend-to-friend style of writing to her wealth of experiences!This book is not only extremely helpful, but very easy and fun to read!BRAVO!!!

A Book On Lion Training Would Have Helped Better
I read this book before I spent one horrible, frustrating year substitute teaching.Not helpful; I believe this book assumes that everyone will teach in a school where kids are well-behaved most of the time and school administrations will acknowledge the subs whom they need desperately.

very helpful material!
I found this the best source to accurately give an overview of the world of substitue teaching.Several other books deal more specifically with "time fillers" while this author describes the bare bones of what to expect when walking into the classroom for the first time as a sub and how to be prepared to face the challanges- big and small- of the day ahead. The only negative is the outdated earings charts, otherwise the information still holds true. Excellent reading for those considering a career in substitue teaching.

Outdated, unrealistic info, a few good activity ideas
I bought this book looking for more easy activity ideas for subbing. I was quite dissappointed. There were only a few pages at the end devoted to activities. The remainder of the book consisted of general sub info, maybeof some worth to someone who is looking to get into the field, with noexperience. I've only been subbing a few months and none of this info washelpful. The author conveyed the false sense that all you need to have agood day is a cheery attitude and a "bag of tricks." That maywork in some classrooms, but not in many I've experienced. In 1983, whenthe book was published, classrooms were significantly different. Also, thesalaries she quotes, after admitting she only polled a few schools to getan "average," were extremely outdated. I make twice the pay shequoted to be on the "high" end, and I am being paid low for a subin my area. I will be returning this book promptly. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Very Useful Book
I purchased this book because I began working as a substitute teacher this year. This book is extremely well organized. I love that all of the pages are already 3-hole-punched and easy to tear out. I did not use every single page but I am currently using several of them. I would not be nearly as organized as a substitute if it weren't for the suggestions in this book. Highly recommended.

Good resource for new substitutes
This is a good resource for those new to substituting and the teaching field.It was a great help in the beginning of my substituting career by helping me get organized and know what I needed to bring with me to assignments.It was also a lifesaver a few times when lesson plans weren't left by the absent teacher.The only drawback is now looking back I see some of the forms included aren't all that necessary.That being said, I still recommend it to get organized and started with a successful substituting career.

A wonderful help
I found this book to be very helpful when I started subbing. The forms are great.

Don't waste your money
This book contained mostly forms to fill out and very few "good" ideas on substitute teaching.

A Substitute Teacher's Dream
The creator of this book thought of everything that the substitute teacher needs for her bag of tricks. I purchased this last year. I am a full time substitute. I have gotten so many compliments on how organized I am because of this book. It gave me a lot of excellent tips that are time savers that I even as a seasoned substitute never thought of. I love it. It offered me so much. Honestly, I cannot say that I walked away feeling that there was nothing that I could not use in the book. I was able to convert some of the items presented in the book and make them a reality. Thanks for making the book!!!If I could give ten stars I would!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
A must-have resource packed with surefire tips, handy checklists, and dozens of reproducible pages to ensure a successful day when the teacher is out. Helps teachers plan for a short- or long-term absence. Helps substitute teachers manage their day effectively, keeping students on-task and engaged with easy learning games and plenty of activities for every subject! For grades 3-5. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good Resource for Subbing
I just started subbing this year after being RIFed and this is a great resource for either the classroom or the substitute teacher.There are pages to help the classroom teacher complete their substitute folder and pages to help the substitute teacher start and complete their jobs. If you have free time there are even some fun but educational worksheets to give to a class.I really like the substitute teacher feedback form - it's easy to complete but it can really give the classroom teacher a good overview of what happened and how the day went. ... Read more

Product Description
Substitute teaching formats, strategies, and activitiesstrictly from personal experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Useful Ideas
This book did help me become a better substitute teacher. It has ideas that will help the novice. ... Read more

Product Description
Substitute Teaching and Loving It, is a “must have” for every substitute teacher or new teacher. Not only does it include quality information for a successful substitute day, but also provides reproducible lessons that meet STATE AND NATIONAL STANDARDS.

In the past, substitute teachers have often regarded as babysitters; to fill an absent teacher’s position for a day, week, or even longer.

Today, there is an increasing demand for teachers to attend staff development and unit planning workshops.However, it is still critical that students are actively engaged in learning, when a substitute is in the classroom.

Books, such as this, in addition to educational workshops and classes, will help substitutes understand classroom practices, school routines, behavior management strategies, curriculum expectations, plus much more.

This book will give substitutes an objective look at education in today’s schools and what is expected to happen the classroom.

With increased accountability, substitutes become increasingly important in our efforts to ensure students meet high standards. We appreciate and value their efforts in contributing to our student’s success. This resource manual is a valuable resource in achieving that aim.

Product Description
More by neccessity than by design I worked as a substitute teacher for several years. Only in the last two years did I learn how to do it. I developed a system that is effective in controlling classroom behavior in this sometimes difficult situation.I elaborate on it in detail.If you are a substitute teacher, or planning to be one, this booklet will be helpful. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Not worth it
This book isn't very informative and not worth your time reading it or the money spent buying it.There are other books out there about substituting that have to be better.

If classroom management is an issue, please read this book
As a fairly new substitute teacher, I was looking for guidance on classroom management.I admit to being a bit disappointed when the book arrived.It isn't too big, and it appears to only be a series of essays on sub-ing.Reading Chapter 4 "Pluses and Minuses" and applying his technique, changed everything for me.He says the technique seems to easy to work, but it does.He's right.Using his system of classroom management, I have a much more enjoyable day, more gets accomplished, and the students are more engaged than before.Regular teachers have told me that they have passed by my classroom door and have been amazed at the quiet and diligent work they have observed.

Thank you Mr. Gray!

Along with this book I recommend the Sutstitute Teacher Handbook from Utah State University. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is a product of 35 years of teaching experience by the author in all grade level which include the elementary level, high school and college level. The author would like to share her ups and downs as a teacher hoping that it will guide all teachers in dealing with situations that may come their way as they are not aware whether the day will pass with agony or triumph. What inspired the author to write this book is the persistent question made by her husband asking her: "tell Daddy what happened to my Baby in school today? And so, the author said that a 12 year old boy who was in a special education class said to her: "Mrs. P., since it is only the 2 of us in this room, WHY DONT WE HAVE SEX? here is another one. When the author started taking notes of the behavior of a misbahaved student in her class...the student said to her: "IF YOU BUST ME, I WILL BUST YOU FIRST". More revelations will be found in the book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Entertaining
The book is entertaining with tales of substitute teaching, but not terribly helpful. If you are looking for a book written by someone who has been there, this is it. If you are looking for one with information or guidance, it is not the one.

worthless
Don't waste your time or money. I read half of the book and gave up once I realized it was basically a journal of the author's substitute teaching experiences. I wanted to find a book that contained practical advice for substitute teachers- what to expect, advice on classroom management, lesson plans that can be adapted and quickly implemented, etc. I didn't find any useful information in this book.

The book was difficult to follow because the author's incoherent writing style. There were many typos and grammatical errors throughout the book; I had a hard time believing the author was a credible source for teaching advice.

A Disappointing Purchase
While "Mrs. P" seems like a very kind and knowledgable person, I found this book too difficult to read because of her poor writing style.I found her personal experiences insightful and honest, but her poor command of the English language damaged her credibility.I was also misled by the table of contents, thinking that Part 4 pertained to the substitute's own job search.Instead, it offers tips for helping high school students in their vocational classes.This book would be much better if it had been edited and reorganized by a decent publisher.

The author is very kind to share her personal experience, but she didn't give me enough useful information to motivate me keep the book.This is the first book I've returned to Amazon. ... Read more