Grades 3–5
Sub Day Science Riddles
Eight science riddles for 3rd to 5th grade sub days, about the moon, plants, magnets, the water cycle and animals, with an answer key.
Classroom management printable · Substitute teacher activity packets
Sub Day Word Work
A 2nd and 3rd grade sub day word page: ABC order, compound words, rhymes, synonyms, a scrambled word and a sentence to write.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–3
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Planning for a substitute, Independent work, Classroom routines
What kids do
“Word puzzles for a day with a guest teacher. Work on your own, then check with a partner.”
Printed on the sheet:
- 1. Put in ABC order: dog, cat, bird
- 4. Write a word that rhymes with
- 6. A synonym for fast:
- 7. An antonym for loud:
- 9. Write a sentence using two of the words from this page.
Teacher tip
Leave a word bank on the board so kids can work on their own.
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.
- Introduce the sheet once, model it, then make it part of a routine so kids know what to expect.
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 4–5
Sub Day Number Puzzles
Eight number puzzles for 4th and 5th grade sub days: mystery numbers, missing operations, patterns and a magic square row, with an answer key.
Grades 1–3
Sub Day Story Starter
A sub day writing page for 1st to 3rd grade: a story about a mystery visitor in the classroom, with a quick plan, writing lines and a picture.
Grades 1–5
How Did Today Go With Our Guest Teacher?
A student reflection for the end of a sub day: a 1 to 5 rating, what went well, what was hard, how I helped and a note for the guest teacher.
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.