A good sub plans template keeps you from forgetting the small things a substitute needs on a day you are not there. Copy the layout below into Google Docs, Word, or any document you can print. It works for middle and high school classes and for a single day or several.
The template
Copy each heading and fill in the blanks. Keep the whole thing to two pages if you can.
1. Quick facts
- Teacher name and room number: ______
- Date(s) of absence: ______
- School phone and office contact: ______
- Helpful neighbor teacher and room: ______
2. Schedule
- Period or block, start and end times, and class name: ______
- Lunch, duty, and planning times: ______
3. Start-of-class routine
- How students enter and what they do first: ______
- How to take attendance and where to send it: ______
- How to get the class’s attention: ______
4. Lesson for each class
- Goal for the day: ______
- Directions, step by step: ______
- Where the materials are and how many copies: ______
- Technology needed (none, optional, or required): ______
- What to collect and where to put it: ______
5. Early finishers
- What students can do when they are done: ______
6. Classroom procedures
- Restroom and hall pass routine: ______
- Phone and device rules: ______
- What to do if a student is not following directions: ______
7. Students to know about
- Dependable helpers: ______
- Seating chart location: ______
- Accommodations or health notes your school allows you to share: ______
8. Safety
- Where emergency procedures are posted and who to contact: ______
9. Note back to the teacher
- How far each class got: ______
- Students who were helpful: ______
- Anything you should know: ______
Tips for filling it out
- Use short sentences and numbered steps. A sub should be able to skim it in two minutes.
- Put the schedule on top. It is the first thing a sub looks for.
- Do not list private student information. Follow your school’s rules on what can be shared with a substitute.
- Print it and keep a digital copy. Both should be easy for your office to find.
Need the lesson part?
The lesson section is the hardest to write on short notice. Browse the free lesson library for a ready-made plan that fits your class length, then paste its title and directions into section 4. For a complete setup, see our guides on emergency sub plans and the substitute teacher binder.
Keep reading
- Free Printable Emergency Sub Plans (PDF) – turn free lesson PDFs into the lesson section.
- Easy Sub Plans for Middle and High School – keep each class to one clear task.
- Sub Tub Ideas for Grades 6-12 – where to keep the finished template.
Browse free sub plans by subject: science, math, social studies, ELA, art, music and theater, PE and health, Spanish, French and German, technology, business and personal finance, CTE, speech, journalism and media, and advisory and study hall.