How to Write a Sub Plan

A good sub plan means the difference between a productive day and chaos. This guide covers everything your substitute needs to keep your classroom running smoothly.

What Every Sub Plan Needs

A sub plan should include: your daily schedule with exact times, seating chart, attendance procedures, emergency procedures and contacts, classroom rules and routines, lesson plans for each subject/period, materials location, and a list of helpful students and neighboring teachers.

Assume the substitute knows nothing about your school. Include building-specific information: where the office is, how dismissal works, lunch procedures, and any duty assignments.

Writing Clear Instructions

Be overly specific. 'Math is after lunch' leaves too many questions. 'Math 1:00-1:45. Students get math notebooks from the bin by the door. They complete the worksheet in the folder labeled TUESDAY on my desk. Answer key is in the same folder. Collect and place in the tray labeled MATH on the counter.'

Number your steps. Subs can follow numbered steps more easily than paragraphs of prose. Include time estimates for each activity so the sub knows if they're running behind or ahead.

Emergency Sub Plans

Keep an emergency sub plan folder ready at all times — for those mornings when you wake up sick and can't create anything. Include 2-3 days of generic, no-prep activities that work for your grade level and subjects.

For elementary: independent reading with a response journal, math review worksheets, a writing prompt, and a read-aloud with discussion questions. For secondary: review activities for the current unit, silent sustained reading, or a content-related video with a worksheet.

Making the Sub Successful

Identify 2-3 reliable students the sub can turn to for help (name them specifically). Identify students who may need extra support or structure. Note any students who leave for services (speech, reading intervention, resource room) and when.

Leave your phone number or email in case the sub has an urgent question. And leave a note asking the sub to write feedback about how the day went — what worked, what didn't, and any behavior issues.

Quick Tips

1.Create your emergency sub plan at the beginning of the year when you have energy.
2.Update your sub folder monthly — seating charts change, schedules change.
3.Leave activities slightly below grade level. Subs can't teach new content effectively.
4.Include a fun activity or reward the sub can use if the class behaves well.
5.Thank your subs. A thank-you note goes a long way toward getting good subs to come back.
6.Use LessonDraft's Sub Plan Generator to create detailed plans quickly when you're out sick.

Generate a complete sub plan in seconds. Enter your schedule, subjects, and any special instructions — LessonDraft creates a detailed plan any substitute can follow.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How detailed should a sub plan be?▾

More detailed than you think. Write as if the substitute has never been in a school before. Include transitions, bathroom procedures, technology instructions, and behavior management expectations. Overly detailed is always better than vague.

Should I leave my regular lesson plans for a sub?▾

For a planned absence, yes — with extra detail. For a sick day, use your emergency sub plans or generate quick plans with a tool like LessonDraft. Don't expect subs to teach complex new content.

What if the sub doesn't follow my plans?▾

It happens. Focus on what you can control — write clear, easy-to-follow plans with numbered steps and specific materials. If a sub consistently doesn't follow plans, report it to your office so they can address it.

How many emergency sub plans should I have ready?▾

Keep 2-3 days of plans ready. Each day should be self-contained and require no prep. Rotate them periodically so they stay fresh and relevant to your current curriculum.

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