5 Things To Do Before You Run Out of the Classroom

I don't know about you, but it's hard to escape the call of summer. It calls to me throughout the months of May and June. By the time teacher workdays arrive at the end of the school year, I'm bursting with a desire to quickly throw files and classroom decorations haphazardly into boxes and run out of the door. I don't even want to THINK about the fall and a new school year. However, I've discovered that if I make the last few workdays productive, my new year gets off to a much better start.

1. Purge
Go through everything before you put it away for the summer. Throw away, give away, or recycle classroom decorations, posters, bulletin board paper, etc. that you no longer want to use. Keep only one paper copy of each assignment, handout, and test that you think you might use next year. Recycle the rest. Pester students until they've picked up old projects still hanging around your classroom. The more you deal with now, the less you'll have to go through in the fall when you are juggling meetings while trying to get everything ready for a new school year.

2. Download
Buy a flash drive and download all of your files from your school computer and server. Servers are not infallible and there's nothing worse that arriving in the fall and finding out that everything you left on the server (and its back-up) has disappeared.

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PowerPoint Hack: How to Create Duplicate Slides

I am a PowerPoint convert. I use it most of the time to create documents instead of Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word lovers tell me I can do everything in Word that I do in PowerPoint. I'm sure that is true. However, PowerPoint is much more intuitive for me and I will not go back to creating in Word. One of the features I love about PowerPoint is the ability to duplicate slides (in other words, pages). I use this feature all the time.

1. After I've created a page I want to duplicate, in this case a Bingo card, I go to the Home tab and Click on New Slide.

2. Click the Duplicate Slide option and PowerPoint will duplicate the slide you have highlighted.

3. Now, I have two of the exact same slides. No more copying and pasting!

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Creating the Ultimate Sub Folder

If you’ve ever woken up sick at 5:00 a.m. or gotten that dreaded call from the school nurse saying your child isn’t feeling well, you know the panic that sets in when you realize you’re not prepared for a sub. Emergencies happen. We’ve all been there! That’s exactly why having a ready-to-go sub folder is such a lifesaver. I like to think of it as my classroom safety net. When everything is organized and ready, I can stay home and rest without worrying that my students or substitute will be left scrambling.

What to Include in Your Sub Folder

Your sub folder should be simple, organized, and easy to follow. I always start with the basics like updated class rolls, the current bell schedule, and any special notes about students who leave early or have accommodations. These small details make a big difference, especially for a substitute who may be new to your school or your class routine. I also make sure my sub folder includes both digital and printed copies of everything, just in case technology decides to act up.

Another must-have is a clear schedule layout. If your school runs on A/B days or rotating classes, try to make the schedule as visual and straightforward as possible. I’ve found that including a quick chart or even color-coding the classes can save a substitute a lot of confusion. The easier you make it for them to follow your day, the smoother everything will go in your absence.

I also always leave emergency lesson plans. They are simple, flexible activities that don’t depend on what we’re currently studying. These lessons usually cover topics that I know we have already covered. This way, if I’m unexpectedly out, I know the substitute can grab a plan that works with any unit. I also leave space for them to jot down how things went or if certain activities were particularly successful. It’s such a helpful way to stay in the loop when you return.

The Secret Ingredient - No Prep Sub Plans

Let’s be honest. Creating meaningful sub plans is often the most stressful part of being out. That’s exactly why I designed my No Prep Sub Plans to take that pressure off your shoulders. These plans are designed specifically for history teachers. They include 10 engaging activities that can fit into any U.S. or World History unit. The best part? They come with clear teacher directions, print and digital options, and flexible timing guidelines so you can customize based on your schedule.

Each activity in the No Prep Sub Plans is self-contained. This means substitutes can easily pick up and teach without extra prep. Let's take a peek at some of the activities.

Whose Phone is This?

"Whose Phone Is This?" gets your students thinking creatively about historical figures through a modern lens.  Students will choose a historical figure that they have learned about and answer questions based on what that figure might have on their cell phone if they lived today.  It's a fun and engaging way to get students thinking about these figures as "real people" and not just a character in their textbook. 

Historical Front Page

The "Historical Front Page" is a 45–60 minute activity that has your students creating a front page for a historical event you have studied in class. Using both pictures and words, students must create the front page of a newspaper that is covering the historical event. Students must focus on accuracy, creativity, and connections to their notes. 

Infographic

The Infographic Activity allows your students to demonstrate understanding visually. After being introduced to how infographics share information using images, your students will create their own infographic. This activity is perfect for classes with diverse learners. 

Puzzles

There are even two puzzle options that are perfect for shorter class periods. Using the Crossword Puzzle and Word Find activities, students will reinforce vocabulary and key people from recent lessons. Students love creating the puzzles and then trading with a classmate to solve a puzzle. 

History Meets Social Media

Your students who love social media will get a kick out of "History Book" and "Chatter". In these activities, they create mock profiles or posts for famous figures. These 30–45 minute tasks combine history and pop culture, making even the most reluctant learners excited to participate.

The Movie Plot

The Movie Plot task lets your students imagine pitching a historical film to a Hollywood producer. They have to think through characters, setting, and dialogue. It’s a 45–60 minute project that turns research into storytelling.

 

And. . . there are more activities included in this resource! Whether your substitute needs to fill one class period or an entire day, there’s enough variety to choose from while still keeping the work meaningful. What makes these sub plans stand out is the creative mix of activities. 

With all these options at your fingertips, you can easily build a sub folder that’s flexible, engaging, and completely no prep. Every activity is designed to stand alone, which means your sub doesn’t have to stress about keeping up with your pacing guide. You also don’t have to worry about reteaching everything when you return.

How to Keep Your Sub Folder Ready All Year

Creating your sub folder is just the beginning. The real key is keeping it up to date. I like to revisit mine at the start of each quarter. I replace outdated rosters, check my emergency contact list, and refresh my thank-you note for subs. I also keep a checklist in the front that reminds me to restock copies of any activities that were used. Having extra copies printed and ready to go has saved me more times than I can count!

Another helpful tip is to store your sub folder somewhere obvious. I keep mine in a clearly labeled binder right by my computer so it’s easy to find. I even let a trusted colleague know where it’s kept, just in case I’m ever out unexpectedly. If your school uses Google Drive, it’s worth uploading a digital backup there too. That way, everything, from rosters to sub plans, is just a click away.

Don’t forget the personal touch. I always include a thank-you note and, when possible, a small token of appreciation for my sub. Whether it’s a coffee gift card or a quick promise to cover their class in return, showing gratitude goes a long way. Substitutes often step into chaos, and a little kindness can make their day.

Grab Your Free Resource

If you’re ready to take the stress out of prepping for a sub day, I’ve got you covered! When you sign up here, I will send you more tips and ideas for setting up your sub plan and one free activity. It's a ready-to-use activity that’s perfect to include in your sub folder. It’s an easy way to start building your collection of meaningful lessons that keep your students engaged and learning, even when you can’t be there. Sign up today and grab your free download to make your next sub day completely worry-free!

Time to Build Your Stress Free Sub Folder

Having a well-prepared sub folder isn’t just about organization. It’s about peace of mind. When everything your substitute needs is in one place, you can take that unexpected day off without feeling guilty or worried about what’s happening back at school. 

With my No Prep Sub Plans, you’ll know your students are still engaged in meaningful, standards-based work that ties directly to your content. So take a deep breath, grab a binder, and start creating your ultimate sub folder today. And. . . if you want ready-to-use activities for your sub folder, then make sure to grab my No Prep Sub Plans resource.  It includes all the activities from this post, and more!  Future you will be so glad you did!

Save for Later

Pin this post to your teacher board so you’ll have it handy the next time you’re setting up your sub folder or refreshing your emergency sub plans. You’ll thank yourself later when that unexpected sick day hits!

 

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End of the Year Survival Tips

The end of the year is a crazy time! State tests loom around the corner and stress levels rise for teachers.

This May lower your stress level with these easy to incorporate tips!


1. Let the students teach each other. 
 In all three of these activities below, the work is all done by the students and all you have to do is supervise!

Museum Exhibit: If you teach U.S. History, assign small groups of 2-3 students a decade: 1970s, 1980s, 1990, or 2000s. Have each group create a museum exhibit that represents the decade. The exhibit can include items like a timeline of events, a portrait wall of important people, artifacts from the time period, a short video for museum visitors to view, a Pinterest board of images from that decade, etc. In your classroom, set up all of the decade exhibits, grouping the similar decade groups together (i.e. all of the 1970s exhibits in one area), and let your students visit each of the exhibits. If you want the exhibits to be virtual, check out the Museum Box and see if it fits your needs. This activity also works great for World History by assigning the small groups a civilization (Early River Civilizations, Ancient Egypt, Ancient China, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, etc.).

Video Interviews: Have students in small groups create mock-interviews with important people they've learned about during the school year. It could be a one-on-one interview with a host and an historical figure or a talk show with a host and multiple historical figures from similar or different time periods. Students can act them out in front of class or use iPods/iPads/video cameras to record the interviews.

Student Created Stations: Let small groups create stations. For example, if they are learning about the Civil Rights Movement, give each group an important event during the Civil Rights Movement. Give them time to research it and create a station to share what they learned with the rest of class. In addition to creating the station, they will need to create an activity (scavenger hunt, a handout to complete, a matching game, a short quiz, etc.) for their classmates to complete when they visit the station.

2. Play Games or Simulations.
It is hard to get students engaged at the end of the year. A short lecture is about all they can handle. As a result, I created a lot of games and simulations to play at the end of the school year. These kept my students engaged and exciting about coming to class!

Here are a few of my favorites:
Attrition kickball to simulate World War I: Students have to answer a question about WWI when it is their turn to kick. If they get it right, they get to kick and they pick someone from the other team to join their team. If they get it wrong, they go to the end of the kicking line. The game can easily be adapted as a review for most other topics.

Bingo: I give students a blank Bingo card (a chart/table with 25 squares) and they place 24 terms from a list I have on the board onto their card. Instead of calling out the term, I call out the definition. Students have fun playing it and I like that they are preparing for the exam!

1-2-3 Draw!:  On index cards, write down key terms, concepts, and
people that you want your students to review (one term per card). Create a place where students can draw and the rest of the students will be able to see. I use my chalkboard at the front of the room. If you don't have a board at the front of your room, you could use an easel or tape paper to a wall. Divide your class into 2 teams. When it is their turn, a team sends up an illustrator who randomly picks an index card with a term. The illustrator cannot show anyone the card and has 1 minute to get his/her team to call out the term by drawing images on the board or paper. If his/her team correctly guesses the term, they get a point. Then, the other team goes. The game continues until all the cards have been drawn. The team with the most points wins.

Don't want to create your own games? I have lots of review games available! You don't have to spend time to create it and your students are engaged and actively learning at the end of the year. What more could you ask for?

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