I’ve put together a binder that stays on my desk with information that I need daily and substitute information. The binder has a cover identifying the contents, which are attendance, lesson plans, seating charts and a special section for substitutes that includes a letter from me, the building layout, my daily schedule, and our classroom rules. Each section is tabbed and kept up-to-date with attendance reports, weekly lesson plans and seating changes. The reference pages are in plastic sheet covers to keep everything neat. My desk binder helps me to keep information systematic as well as handle my absence from the classroom with the greatest amount of support already in place.
How do I get to the binder?
I teach French 1-4 And Spanish 1-4 (yes,8 preps) at the high school level. I keep a separate binder for each class with the same kind of information, plus answer keys for the current assignments. It not only helps a sub, it is a great way to stay organized. Every day I put the next day's papers into the front pocket of each binder and papers to return in the back pockets.
As a substitute educator something like this invaluable. I keeps me a step ahead of the kids. I can't stress enough the importance of seating charts and rules in the classroom. Knowing the names of students puts me at an advantage instead of having to ask their name all the time if I do get a proper answer, that is. Knowing the general signals to get class attention would be great to add to that, too. Teachers don't realize that the more knowledge of their class we have, the better behaved the class is, and the better the day goes in general.
I like this. I would like to know your tab names.
How large is the binder and what are some of the tabs names that you have.