Sometimes leaving your students with a sub can be more work than actually being at school! It is frustrating, if not downright disheartening, to come back from a day off campus only to find your room in disarray, and a note from the substitute listing the creative ways your students undermined authority while you were gone! In a follow-up tip to “Sink the Sub”, posted December 3rd, we bring you a new motivating tip shared by a junior high science teacher.

Students love competition. Adding a little competition among classes or class periods might be just the motivation students need to be on their best behavior for your substitute teacher. Establish ground rules for a competition, in which substitutes will give each class or period a letter grade (A-F) or a ranking (Excellent, Good, Average, Poor) based on their behavior and level of respect for the day. Leave your sub a note with an easy fill in chart so they can quickly grade class periods. Determine a time frame (quarter, semester, term, etc.) for which you will keep track of substitute grades. At the conclusion of that time period, the top scoring class/period will receive a prize such as a class party, a movie, a fun teambuilding activity, or even extra credit points.

Empower your students by having them establish guidelines for the grading. Ask students what a respectful class looks, sounds and acts like when a substitute is present. Capture notes on a tear sheet to post on the wall. You can also ask students for input on the end reward. Give students parameters, such as length of time, money, resources, etc., and they just might give you a great reward idea! It becomes a win-win situation for you, substitutes, and your students!