SO I am three days away from my Bacc. in El Ed, and I want to start gathering things for a "Sub Bag." Since the market for Teachers is not that great where I currently am, I have a feeling that i'll be subbing for atleast a year. I remember reading somewhere about a "Sub Bag of Tricks" and I don't remember where or what?? Any ideas or suggestions? I figured now is the best time to begin shopping since just about everything is on sale.

I'm also open to any other advice that you may have... I have had one excellent ST experience and another not so great, but I have learned many new things. I am however still feeling a little lost and looking for advice???

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Ashley - Congrats! My ST was the same way - one was great and the other - not so much. Although looking back on it now, I thought I knew it all and didn't have a lot of respect for most people older than me and w/ more experience. Now there are new teachers coming in who think that we "experienced" teachers only have stupid ideas. So my first piece of advice is respect anyone who has been doing it longer than you - they must be doing something right
Sorry to babble - now to answer your question, I would get
-any type of labels you can use for nametags,
-stickers (b/c candy/food is a big no-no for rewards these days), s
-ome things to keep in there for you to eat in case you forget your lunch or don't have time (cafeteria food is gross, overpriced, and super fattening),
-some Bingo type games if you're going to be subbing in elementary - it's a great thing to pull out if you run out of things to do or don't have good plans to follow,
-a few really good books (Check The Read Aloud Handbook for suggestions) - then you can always read the book and have the kids write a/b their fav. part, problem/solution, story map, beg/mid/end, make up a new ending or something like that if you are left w/ not enough stuff to keep them busy, a
- bottle of Tylenol for yourself,
-extra pencils,
-something like cheese crackers (every once in a while you'll have a crying kid b/c they got to school late and missed breakfast or something and they're really hungry - it doesn't matter what else you do, they won't learn anything until you feed them)
-Lysol or Lysol wipes - kids can be germy/stinky/messy

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Thanks Kelly...
Thats hysterical about the lunch room food... But yet so true! I've been trying to follow the Special K diet so carrying a bowl of cereal has been helpful. I find myself always having one or two extras in my car or bag just bc the food is so terrible. Interesting enough, the school i'm currently at (in an urban setting where 99% of the children recieve free lunch due to poverty) does lunch family style. It really sucks for the teacher bc you have to be the "Lunch Lady" on top of everything else. But the experience for the children is so important I think, that in the end it makes up for it. The food that they serve is "healthy" in that everything is wheat or veggie based, but all in all, it's down right discusting! (And did I mention that there's no options.) It's either lunch or PB & J.

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Ashley- Congrats! I am a substitute teacher now a day or so a week. I agree with all of the things Kelly said. I only sub in my former school so I don't have to keep too much with me, but her suggestions were great. If you ever have a question I am happy to try to answer it.

PS- I LOVE school lunch. Square pizza is my favorite!

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Well I've been applying but haven't heard anything yet... keep your fingers crossed for me!!!

I told Crystal that I feel kinda empty. Like just after you've planned a two year wedding, and come back from your honeymoon and no one is around but you.... Empty!!! Maybe even a little lost. Which I think is odd esp witht the holidays and I have family coming to visit soon....

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Ashley ~ Congratulations on graduating! I think Kelly's ideas were awesome. I have been teaching high school for 6 years. If there is any advice I can give you from that aspect, please ask away! Good luck!

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