Grades K–5
Substitute Teacher Report
A note the sub leaves for the teacher: who was absent, what got done, helpful students, any problems and messages.
Classroom management printable · Substitute teacher activity packets
Sub Day Brain Pack
A 4th and 5th grade sub day page: a number pattern, a secret code, a logic puzzle, a word challenge and a writing prompt.
- Grade level
- Grades 4–5
- Time
- About 30 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Planning for a substitute, Independent work, Classroom routines
What kids do
“Brain teasers for a guest teacher day. Show your thinking. Then try the writing challenge.”
Printed on the sheet:
- 1. What comes next? 2, 6, 18, 54,
- 2. Crack the code (A = 1, B = 2, C = 3…): 8 - 5 - 12 - 12 - 15 =
- 3. Four friends stand in a line. Dee is in front of Ana. Ana is in front of Ben. Cal is last. Who is first?
- 4. How many words of 3 or more letters can you make from CLASSROOM? (room, class, moss…)
- 5. If you were the teacher for one day, what would you teach and why?
Teacher tip
Let kids work in pairs on the logic puzzle to keep them engaged and on task.
How to use it
- Leave clear, short directions and an answer key where the sub can find it.
- Update the folder each grading period, as routines and students change.
- Fill one in with the class the first time so kids see what a finished one looks like.
Watch for
Activities that need too much teaching. A sub day is for review, not new lessons.
Talk about it
- How can we help a guest teacher feel welcome?
- Why do you think we use this in our classroom?
Take it further
Have kids write a thank-you note to the sub at the end of the day.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More substitute teacher activity packets
Grades K–5
Substitute Seating Chart
A seating chart for the sub folder: 30 desk boxes to arrange with student names, and a line to mark the board and the door.
Grades K–5
Sub Folder Checklist
A checklist of the 12 things every sub folder needs, from the class list and dismissal list to emergency maps and early finisher work.
Grades 2–5
Sub Day Reading Response
A no-prep sub day page for any book: title and author, the character, setting, problem and solution, a drawing and a rating.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.