I do my absolute best to never be gone from school. Every teacher knows what a pain it is be prepare for a sub. For me, that means hours of work. It's not just the extra prep time that bothers me though. No matter how qualified the guest teacher might be, the quality of learning is considerably lower when I'm not there, and for these young learners, every day counts. (Please don't feel guilty if you've had to be gone a lot. These things happen.)
The more I can prepare my kids for my absence, the better, so in addition to the low-down they get from me, they'll also hear from their parents on the matter. Here's a copy of the letter that I send home when I know I'll be out of the classroom.
My hope is that my kids get one more reminder on their way out the door on the morning of my absence. "Remember, character means doing what's right even when Miss McMorrow isn't watching!"
Great idea! Love the paragraph about how the guest teaching will do be doing things differently! I always see kids get so bent out of shape when a guest teacher does something that is not exactly like their regular teacher.
ReplyDeleteTara
The Math Maniac
Tara, yes they can get their noses out of joint so easily. :)
DeleteThat's a very cool idea, Tammy! I was just away from my class for six days. I'm going back in today and keeping my fingers crossed that everything went well:). Although luckily for me I've been using the same sub for years...my good friend and retired grade one teacher. I always feel confident that she does an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteBarb, a sub like that is a treasure. It must have been much easier to get away knowing that she was in charge.
DeleteBeing gone is so much work! This is a great way to handle being absent! I like the conversations that this note would prompt with children and parents in preparation for the next day.
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, might as well get help from parents, right? After all the work it takes to prepare for the day, I sure want the kids to get something out of it. :)
DeleteBrilliant as usual!! I always write a letter to my students and post it when I'm going to be gone. I never thought to get the parents into the act! Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Jenny, might as well get the parents on board huh? I think they like knowing when I'm gone anyway. :)
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