Creating effective middle school science sub plans can feel overwhelming, especially since taking a day off often requires more work than teaching the class yourself.
For STEM teachers, finding or creating great sub plans presents unique challenges because many substitute teachers don’t have experience in our content area. Our courses are usually hands-on and require lots of specific (and expensive) materials. But it doesn’t have to be this way!
As a new STEM teacher, I often asked myself, “How do I leave something relevant for my classes that a sub can easily implement and won’t create extra work when I get back?”
After years of trial and error, I’ve developed a proven system for creating middle school science sub plans that work for everyone involved and give me a much-needed break on my days off.
Short on time? Grab a ready-to-go STEM sub plan on TPT.
Key Elements of Successful Middle School Science Sub Plans
1. Student Engagement is Essential
If students are engaged and interested in the lesson, your substitute will have an easier time managing the class and you’ll get more positive feedback upon your return to class.
I always try to find a topic that I know will capture my students’ interest and motivate them to do the activities to learn more. The most engaging science sub plans include real-world connections to current scientific discoveries, interactive components that keep students involved, and age-appropriate content specifically designed for middle school students.
The kids are happy, the sub is happy, and I’m happy when I return to my classroom.
2. Easy Implementation for Substitute Teachers
Substitute teachers have a wide range of experience in subject matter expertise and classroom management skills. I always try to leave a lesson plan with explicit instructions for the substitute, and as much as possible, I try to limit the amount of direct instruction they need to do.
Student-centered activities allow the sub to focus on managing the class and taking care of administrative tasks instead of standing in front of the classroom delivering content. These activities also help with keeping students engaged (see #1).
Always include a clear timeline and some backup activities in case students finish early.
3. Reinforcement of Existing Knowledge
Whenever possible, I try to choose a lesson that will review or elaborate on a concept my students are familiar with. I don’t want the substitute to field many questions or introduce a new skill or complicated topic.
An excellent sub lesson in STEM has a lot of accessible independent work to keep students busy and the sub’s stress level low.
4. Simple Assessment Strategies
The last thing I want to do when I return from a day off is spend hours grading work my students did with the sub.
Ideally, the sub plan has an easy-to-use grading rubric or answer key that I can leave with the sub with directions to have students grade their own work, or the substitute can use to grade the assignments before I get back to the building.
What to Avoid in Middle School Science Sub Plans
Design challenges are not recommended for sub plans. When I have tried leaving design challenges with my substitute teachers, my students were less productive.
I think this happens because they don’t have a physical assignment to turn in at the end of the period, and my substitute teachers aren’t typically familiar with the design process or managing cooperative learning activities.
Also, my materials weren’t always cared for or organized appropriately upon my return, adding unneeded stress to my day.
Ready-Made Solution for Busy Teachers
Taking time off doesn’t have to be stressful when you have the right middle school science sub plans. With engaging, easy-to-implement activities that reinforce learning and don’t pile on grading when you return, you can ensure your students and substitute teachers have a successful day in your absence.
No more worrying about complicated lessons or missing materials!
Need a Quick Solution?
Check out my ready-to-go, no-prep middle school science sub plans on TPT. These plans are designed to be simple for any substitute to follow while keeping your students engaged and learning. Grab yours today and enjoy a stress-free day off!
