Creating a Sub Tub For Your Classroom

Let’s face it: one of the most difficult decisions a teacher can make is whether or not to take a sick day. In what other profession is staying home from work actually more work than going? Luckily, NTR has your back! Whether you are in your first year teaching or twenty-first, taking the time to create a “Sub Tub” is the gift that will keep giving year round!

What is it?
    A Sub Tub is something that you keep in your room with plans and copies all ready to go. You won’t need to worry about writing out sub plans again once your sub tub is complete!

Materials Needed:

• A container for your sub tub (I bought mine at Staples!)
• Hanging file folders
• Daily schedules/student information
• Activities or printouts for each subject area you teach

Simple Steps to Sub Tub Bliss:

1. Put your file folders into your sub tub, and label them. As you can see in my pictures, I put daily schedules, student information/emergency plans, and each subject I teach (writing, reading, math, and social studies.)
   
2. Put a simple schedule in for each day of the week with the times that subject areas are taught.
   
3. Put a page with basic student information. It should include if students leave the classroom to go somewhere during the day, and what their dismissal plans are. Remember to honor the confidentiality of students, by telling who they go see during the day, but not what for.
   
4. Put any evacuation information for your classroom into the emergency section.
   
5. Put various activities or worksheets into each subject tab. Throughout the year when you have extra copies of worksheets, feel free to put them in too! I like to put things in that are time consuming, but allow the students to be independent. Check out some of the great resources I use in different subject areas:
   
   1. Social Studies: I love to add maps for them to read, color, and answer questions about.
   2. Math:  Scholastic has a great resource that allows students to practice secure skills and color.
   3. Reading: Print out free question and answer sets from ReadWorks. If your students have access to iPads or Chromebooks, set up accounts on Epic , Lalilo, or Freckle. ​
      
   4. Writing: Leaving a fun writing prompt or have students write a letter to you about the day!
      

​
Enjoy,
Cait

---

Caitlyn Lomando

Cait is a is a fourth grade teacher in Nashua, NH where she has spent much of her decade-long career.  She graduated from Keene State College with degrees in Elementary Education and American Studies and holds a Masters of Administration from Rivier University.