Grades K–5
Dismissal Plan for the Sub
A dismissal list for the sub folder: each student, how they go home, bus number or pickup person and notes, plus the end-of-day steps.
Classroom management printable · Substitute teacher activity packets
Sub Procedures Quick Guide
How we do things in our room, for a guest teacher: attendance, lunch count, bathroom, water, pencils, getting help, line up and dismissal.
- Grade level
- Grades K–5
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Planning for a substitute, Independent work, Classroom routines
What kids do
“Fill this in once and keep it in the sub folder. It answers the questions guest teachers ask most.”
Printed on the sheet:
- Bathroom and water
- Thank you for being with us today! Students know these routines, so they can show you how it works.
Words on this sheet
Lunch countSharpening pencilsGetting helpCalm corner
Teacher tip
Keep the guide short and use bullet points so the sub can scan it quickly.
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.
- Slide it into a sheet protector and use a dry-erase marker to reuse it all year.
Watch for
Activities that need too much teaching. A sub day is for review, not new lessons.
Talk about it
- What should we tell our guest teacher about our class?
- What is one thing that went well this week?
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
Helpers and Health Notes for the Sub
A private sub folder page: reliable student helpers, students with allergies or medical needs, students who need extra support and staff to call.
Grades K–1
Sub Day Count and Draw Pack
A K and 1st grade sub day page: count stars, find the group with more, trace numbers, a counting pattern and a drawing to finish.
Grades 2–3
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.
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