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Teaching Tips

SUB-stantial Errors
by Gabrielle Linnell

Teenagers can be intimidating to sub for, but it doesn't have to be an awful, embarrassing experience. In fact, you might enjoy it. Here are some common mistakes, and how to avoid them.

1.	You come to your assigned classroom thirty minutes early with pencils, paper, and an intense amount of nervousness
	MISTAKE: Don't be nervous. Teens can read emotions as easily as they read a text message.
	SOLUTION: Be confident, and if that is impossible, fake it. Also, bring snacks if it's permissible with the school guidelines. Popcorn, apples, potato chips and cookies are good ideas. The way to a teen's heart is through his stomach.

2.	The class comes in. You introduce yourself, spend five minutes telling your life story and your passion for math, and then ask everyone to introduce themselves.
	MISTAKE: This class temporarily needs you to carry on their education until their instructor returns. They are familiar with this subject and with each other. Do not sidetrack.
	SOLUTION: It's fine to introduce yourself briefly. Announce the different activities for the class period, and mention that snacks will be distributed at the end. Also tell them your rules up front: no cell phones, no talking, etc.

3.	The teacher only assigned pages 453-455 which keeps them occupied for twenty minutes. You give them pages 456-500.
	MISTAKE: Never give work that the teacher didn't assign. You may be disrupting the teacher's lesson plans.
	SOLUTION: Give them a study hall for the remaining time. Allow quiet talking and work on other homework.

4.	You are subbing for an AP Spanish class and have never spoken the language. You read out the vocabulary as the kids snicker in the back. Humiliated, you lash out and then retire to the desk.
	MISTAKE: Don't pretend to know what you're talking about. Teens will discover this and the ruthless ones will use it to their advantage. Also, never discipline a class when you think they might be making fun of you. Ask them to quiet down, or to stop disrupting a class.
	SOLUTION: If you are subbing in a field that you are unfamiliar with, and are required to read aloud vocabulary or lecture notes, ask a student to read instead.

5.	You are giving back tests, and one student receives hers and curses. You scold her, and start preaching to all of them about the evils of dirty language and the beauty of High English.
	MISTAKE: Teenagers will stop listening after the first sentence. Never get into a heated discussion with the students as a substitute. You have not earned their trust; they will not believe you.
	SOLUTION: Quietly ask the student to watch her language. Continue handing out test grades.

6.	Trying to be friendly, you ask everyone what grade they are receiving in this class.
	MISTAKE: This is embarrassing for everyone. Never comment on grades or criticize the class you are teaching as "too easy" to the students. This is substitute suicide.
	SOLUTION: Don't remark on grades at all.

7.	A student asks for permission to go to the bathroom, which you grant. Twenty minutes later, he returns and you don't say anything.
	MISTAKE: You have just lost control over the class. You have proven yourself to be a "clueless sub" that can be robbed in daylight.
	SOLUTION: Take him aside and speak to him about being late, and write down a note for the teacher. But don't go overboard with the detention slips. If students leave the classroom, ask them to be back in five minutes.

Teens can be really fun to teach, when they are engaged, interested, and passionate. Enjoy this opportunity. Have fun learning about a subject that you don't know about or that you teach in a different way. If done well, your "subbing" experience will prove not to be a mistake after all.

Gabrielle Linnell has written for FACES, ByLine, New Moon and other magazines. She blogs at www.storytellermag.com. www.storytellermag.com.