Emergency ELA Sub Plans at the Ready! 3 Quick & Easy Ideas for Secondary ELA Teachers

We’ve all been there. The unexpected absence that pops up and leaves us in a panic. And the last thing you want to worry about if you’re not feeling well or experiencing a home or family or pet emergency is creating a sub plan.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to have something ready to simply print-and-go for when the inevitable arises. Some ideas:

1. A short but captivating short story.

A well-chosen, riveting short short story (fits on one page) can snare even the most squirrely of students. Two of my favorites are Sandra Cisneros’ “Geraldo No Last Name” and Alice Walker’s “The Flowers.” Both stories offer fast, accessible, interesting reads while also providing meaningful substance, memorable characters, and multiple layers of meaning. Pair them with a few questions or an analysis activity, and you are good to go. Want it done for you? Check out my “Geraldo” and “Flowers” units offered in both print and digital formats.

2. Create their own vocabulary crossword.

Students love anything that resembles a game, and puzzles are no exception. Why not have them create their own vocabulary crossword puzzle with whatever vocabulary list you’ve got? Simply provide the word list and a grid and let them figure out how to fit and connect all of the words inside and then create a list of across and down clues. You can find this ready-to-go activity and others in my Vocabulary Activity Pack, also provided in both print and digital formats.

3. Real-world character analysis activities.

If you are in the middle of reading a story or play, there are plenty of engaging, modern character analysis activities that make a great lesson for when you are out of the classroom. From creating a character cell phone–complete with wallpaper, apps, and song list–for a chosen character, to a character Facebook page and Tweets, these easy print-and-go activities don’t just fill the time but make students think deeply while having some fun. You can find a variety of such activities in my Character Analysis Activity Pack that work with ANY story.

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