Math is a good subject for a substitute day when the work is practice rather than new instruction. Many of the lessons below give students worked examples, tables or reference information, so they can solve problems without the sub teaching a method. The teacher PDF includes an answer key.
What is in the math library
There are 60 free math lessons for grades 6-12: Math 6-7, Math 7-8 and Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Precalculus and Trigonometry, and Statistics.
How to use these as math sub plans
- Choose practice, not new content. Pick a lesson that matches what your class has already learned, so the sub is not asked to teach a method.
- Check the answer key before class. A sub who can check a few answers can circulate with confidence.
- Plan for early finishers. Lesson plans include early-finisher suggestions you can point students to.
- Print student pages only. Keep the teacher pages and answer key separate.
All math lessons
Algebra I
- Arithmetic Sequences and Linear Growth
- Exponent Rules: Simplify, Match, and Fix the Mistakes
- Factoring Basics: GCF, Trinomials, and Zero Products
- Finding Slope from Two Points
- Function Notation: What Does f(x) Mean?
- Literal Equations: Solving Formulas for Any Variable
- Multi-Step Equations: Distribute, Combine, Solve
- Polynomials: Add, Subtract, and Multiply
- Slope-Intercept Form: Read It, Write It, Use It
- Solving and Graphing Inequalities
- Systems of Equations: Substitution and Elimination
- Two-Step Equations: Solve, Check, Catch the Mistake
Algebra II
- Completing the Square: Perfect Squares and Vertex Form
- Complex Numbers: The Cycle of i and Complex Arithmetic
- Exponential Growth, Decay and Logarithms: Lab Data Case Study
- Factoring Trinomials: Factor, Expand and Catch the Error
- Polynomial Operations: Add, Subtract, Multiply and Check the Work
- Rational Expressions: Simplify, Multiply and Name the Restrictions
- Sequences and Series: Sort, Find the nth Term and Add It Up
- The Quadratic Formula and the Discriminant: Solve and Predict
Geometry
- Angle Pairs: Complementary, Supplementary, Vertical
- Area and Perimeter of Rectangles, Triangles and Combined Shapes
- Circles: Circumference, Area, Arc Length and Sectors
- Coordinate Geometry: Distance, Midpoint and Slope
- Similar Figures and Scale
- Special Right Triangles: 45-45-90 and 30-60-90
- The Pythagorean Theorem and Its Converse
- Triangle Angle Sum and Exterior Angles
- Triangle Congruence and a Two-Column Proof
- Volume of Prisms, Cylinders, Cones and Spheres
Math 6-7
- Adding and Subtracting Fractions: Find the Common Denominator
- Area and Perimeter: Fences, Floors and Fixing Mistakes
- Decimal Operations: The Class Store Price List
- Expressions and One-Step Equations: Words to Symbols
- Integers on the Number Line: Temperatures, Depths and Balances
- Mean, Median, Mode and Range: Reading Time Survey
- Order of Operations: PEMDAS Practice and Parentheses Puzzles
- Percent Problems: Discounts, Tax and Tips
- Unit Rates and Ratios: Which Is the Better Deal?
- Volume of Rectangular Prisms: Packing Boxes
Math 7-8 / Pre-Algebra
- Angle Relationships: Find the Missing Measure
- Exponent Rules and Scientific Notation Workshop
- Is It Proportional? Tables, Constants and Rates
- Percent Change: Discounts, Tax, Tips and Growth
- Probability: Sample Spaces, Compound Events and Experiments
- Pythagorean Theorem: Find the Missing Side
- Slope and Linear Relationships from Points and Tables
- Surface Area of Prisms: Faces, Nets and Wrapping
- Transformations on the Coordinate Plane: Slide, Flip, Turn, Resize
- Two-Step Inequalities: Solve, Test and Describe
Precalculus / Trigonometry
- Limits on Paper: Tables, Patterns, Algebra
- Sine and Cosine Graphs: Amplitude, Period, Midline
- Trig Identities: Test, Simplify, Catch the Error
- Unit Circle Special Angles: Fill, Convert, Match
- Vectors and Polar Coordinates: Convert and Combine
Statistics
- Box Plots and Histograms from Data
- Mean, Median, Mode and Spread: Quiz Scores and Commute Times
- Normal Distribution Reasoning: Z-Scores and the 68–95–99.7 Rule
- Probability: Dice, Marbles and Two-Way Tables
- Sampling, Bias and Misleading Claims
More help
Search the full lesson library by grade and class time, or see our guides on emergency sub plans and easy sub plans.
Sub plans for other subjects
Covering more than one prep? Try these related collections:
- Science sub plans
- Social studies sub plans
- ELA sub plans
- Art, music and theater sub plans
- PE and health sub plans
- Spanish, French and German sub plans
- Technology and computer science sub plans
- Business and personal finance sub plans
- CTE sub plans
- Speech, journalism and media sub plans
- Advisory and study hall sub plans
Teachers can turn any of these into a backup packet with our guides to free printable emergency sub plans and sub tub ideas. Substitutes can read what to do as a substitute teacher and classroom management for substitutes before the first bell.