Missing Teacher {Low Prep Resources}

After several weeks off from school and I unexpectedly needed a sub for a few days.  BOOOO!  I've been so excited to come back and be with my little learners.  I have multiple low prep resources but not one that helped prepare myself for multiple days off from school so I decided to create one.

Here's a preview of all that is included in this file...

A link is provided in the graphic above!

I have several other low prep resources for Elmer and The Case of Stripes.  Each image below has a link to a blog post sharing all the resources available in each low prep file.

Elmer {Low Prep Resources}

Goodness, being out of the classroom can be extremely stressful. I prepped some lessons to help ease the transition. It took moments to print and cut the chart art and scrabble tiles. I needed a few additional minutes to write notes for each content area. I'm fairly certain I spent more time looking for the book which was in a secret stash for this day. My only problem with secret stashes, I can never find them.   

This file was created with a themed day of activities that revolves around the story, Elmer. The resources are perfect for your own lessons or for an unexpected absence. A quick narrative will be needed if you're leaving these activities for a sub. The resources are easy to print and prep. I provided a preview of all contents of this file. {{Note}} This file does not include scripted lesson plans. It's the resources for the lesson and include: predicting, cause/effect, adjectives, character traits, and adding number strings.

After quickly prepping the file, I drove up to school, glued the color graphics to chart paper, placed the color cards and scrabble images in a pocket chart, and laid the plans on my desk. I'm always so jealous at the activities a sub gets to do in my class.  

Here's a glimpse at what's include in the my low prep resources for Elmer.  As you can see from the preview image on my plans, I use the preview pages to write notes about the specific lesson to my sub.  

I sure hope you love what you see. I have additional themed resources for A Case of the Stripes. If you're interested in this set of activites that compliments the Elmer resources, click the image below.

Otherwise, I embedded a link in the cover graphic and previews for the resources to go with...

Case of Stripes {Low Prep Resources}

Hi Friends!  This week I am planning for a possibility that I might need to be out.  I have prepped sub tubs but used the resources already with my kids so I needed something quick and easy.  I decided to create a file that is super easy to implement for a themed day or last minute sub plans.

Here's what's included...

Link in Cover Image 

I will be back with after photos soon!

Sub Tubs

Are you prepared for those unexpected absences?  With a little advance planning, you can ensure that your substitute and your students have a productive, smooth-flowing day. 

 

 

To ensure my students have a fun, successful day of learning with content that meets common core standard, I created thematic units for each month.  Thematic instruction is the organization of curriculum around "themes".  The instruction integrates basic disciplines like reading, math, and science with the exploration of a broad subject.  I use the Swallowed Series to guide my monthly lessons. 

 

 

 

When I began to plan my monthly tubs, I took each book and placed them all on the dining table.  Using sticky notes, I pulled ideas for each content area.  I played on words, pictures, and swallowed items to guide my focus.  For instance, planning writing...

 

August {Swallowed Some Books}- Response to Literature

September {Swallowed Some Leaves}-Poetry

October {Swallowed a Bat}- Narrative

November {Swallowed a Pie}- Procedural

December {Swallowed a Bell}-Persuasive

January {Swallowed Some Snow}-Procedural

February {Swallowed a Rose}-Friendly Letter

March {Swallowed a Clover}-Procedural

April {Swallowed a Chick}-Informational

May {Swallowed a Shell}-Procedural

October comes with great imagination as we are deep into narrative writing and inspired by Halloween costumes, decorations, and parties.  Persuasive couldn't come at a better time with all the desires of a holiday wishlist.  Friendly letters are common when creating Valentine's Day cards. 

 

My goal was to teach each genre by allowing the book to drive the content.  The year I created the file, my students were challenged with procedural writing. I decided to use fun topics to draw on their schema from life experiences or books.  My topics included:  How to build a snowman, How to catch a leprechaun, How to make a sandcastle.  Some papers were specific while others allowed for their imagination to run wild.

 

Once I had the writing lessons, I planned science, social studies, or health.  December is a great time to discuss needs and wants.  April is a great time to discuss life cycles.  For March, I planned skills lessons with compound words so why not learn about insects that have compound eyes.  Integrating the disciplines drives students engagement.

 

 

 

I prepped my tubs two years ago.  Because I love the Swallowed series so very much, I decided that if a sub wasn't needed, I would complete the assignments with my students on the Friday before the specified holiday.  Once you prep the tub, the consumables are the only parts of the file that will need to be reprinted.  I keep the lessons and artifacts for teaching laminated and set for the following year.

 

Here's a preview of each month...

 

August



September

 

October

 

November

 

December

 

January

 



February

 



 

March

 



 

April

 

 

May