Mrs. C's 15 Sub Rules For Middle School

3.  Do your best to make sure the room is in a neat condition before each session.  Desks in straight rows and trash picked up.

4.  Write your name on the board

5.  Be at the door as the students enter, this will set the standard that you are in charge.  If a student must leave after they have entered the classroom ask them nicely where they need to go. 

6.  Stand at the door where you can be observant of hall activity (other teachers appreciate your help in watching the hall) and can watch your classroom also.  Tell the students in a respectful way that they should be in the seats because class is about to start.

Do not let students sit in the teacher's chair or write on the chalkboard.

7.  After the bell rings, come in, shut the door, slowly look over each student in the class.  This will probably quiet them down because they wonder what you are doing.  (Take about a minute)

If students are tardy, have a paper ready that they must sign for themselves.  At the end of the day, leave a note for the teacher telling him/her that students were tardy.  (I usually do not leave specific names of tardy students because it is usually enough that they had to write their name down)  If the teacher wishes he/she can get on to the class in a general sense for being tardy.

8.  Tell the students who you are and tell them you have two rules:

One is "Don't talk when I'm talking."

Two is "Be respectful."

And then, I usually explain why I have these rules.  I tell them I want them to do good on the assignment the teacher left for them.

9.  I quickly mention, "If you're in the wrong seat you need to move (please)."  (This sets the standard that you are aware of their wrong activities.)

I like to leave the impression with the students that I respect them but they must do their assigned work.  Just because I'm a sub, they do not get the day off to be noisy, disruptive and talkative.

10.  Next I take role.  (Since I have a hearing problem) I tell them when I say their name, they need to~

raise their hand

look at me

and say, "Here."

If there is a seating chart available it will be helpful.  If a student is not in the specific place that he needs to be.  I say something like, "Could you please move to your correct seat. (The student begins moving.)  Then I say, "Thank you."  Sometimes I asked with a puzzled look and enquire, "Why aren't you in your correct seat?"  (They reply.)  And then I politely reply, "Could you move there please?"

After I fill out the absent form for the office, I usually say, "I need a trustworthy soul to take this to the office."  Several students will raise their hand and I usually pick the student that raised their hand first or looks responsible.  I then thank them.

11.  I write the assignment on the board (before class).  And then go over it.  I tell them if they have a question to raise their hand and I will come to them. 

Many times the students ask if they can work in partners.  I always say no because it almost always lead to disruptions and noise.

It is important to keep the class quiet because students focus better and make better grades if there is quiet.

Whenever possible, I try to correct the class in an overall way.  If I can tell the students at the start to not do certain things then I have warded off the problem before it ever began. 

I try not to single out students but sometimes I have to.  When I do single out a disruptive student I try to speak with patience and politeness.  Most of the time, they know their doing wrong!  I give them a verbal warning that they need to stop their wrong actions and then if they continue I give the disciplinary action.

12.  If the class is quiet and two students start talking.  Pass by them in the aisle.  If talk continues stand nearby watching.  I usually fold my arms as I listen to them talk.

I don't mind quiet whispers but about 90% of the time if you allow this, the whole class will usually start talking and for the most part, the class will not go back to a quiet state.

I hold off on "ultimatums" as much as I can.  An ultimatum would be to write a student's name down.  The school district I sub for has a general policy if a student's name is written down they will get afterschool detention. 

If the whole class is in an uproar or a single student is being very disruptive I call the principal's office.  For example, a student may make fun of me when I turn away from him/her and then the class laughs.

If a student is talking too much, I will warn them that I will isolate them if they continue and then I ask that they please stop.  Every classroom needs at least one desk where a student can be isolated.  The desk or table should be facing a wall.

13.  If a class has been disruptive, towards the end of class I will tell them everyone must remain in their seats until the bell rings.  And when the bell does ring, I will give them permission to leave.  (This will set a precedent to the students for the next time I substitute for a class they may be in.  It sends a message that the classes I teach will be orderly.

14.  Whenever possible, leave the classroom door open.  Sometimes safety policies will not allow this.  If I can I leave the door open, especially when I have a quiet hard working class this lets the other teachers know I have control of the class.

15.  Leave the classroom neat and orderly.  If possible, sort the papers so they will be easier for the teacher to grade.  (Grade them if time permits.)  Write a quick note telling about the classes.  Thank the teacher for the opportunity.