One hundred seventy five substitute teachers in West Virginia responded to a survey by listing three situations that substitutes feel least prepared to deal with. Content analysis established seven categories of responses, which are discussed. (MT)

Suggests ways classroom teachers can prepare for absences and help make substitute teaching productive. Recommends forming a list of preferred substitutes at the beginning of the school year; clarifying with students expected behavior; and preparing a permanent substitute packet. (LS)

Given the difficulty of substitute teaching, it is surprising that few districts require professional training or previous teaching experience. According to one survey, substitutes should be flexible, have teaching experience and subject area knowledge, and be able to manage classroom adversity. Substitutes' role needs more appreciation. Includes…

Discusses a student discipline problem involving a substitute teacher and a student who used foul language in class. The teacher responded with a firm, but venomous, threat that provoked a response from the vice principal's office, but not from the boy's parents. Advocates on-the-spot ethical instruction to maintain credibility and an effective…

Discusses the following five ways that substitute teachers can enhance their own effectiveness and control in the classroom: (1) expect the unexpected; (2) use available people as resources, including staff and students; (3) improvise relevantly in the classroom; (4) use technology; (5) enforce disciplinary measures promptly. (PGD)

Presents four research-supported guidelines for substitute teachers: (1) be prepared by arriving early and obtaining administrative information; (2) take charge of the classroom; (3) clarify expectations about student conduct; and (4) communicate the significance of learning to students. (MLF)

Describes a comprehensive staff development program designed exclusively for substitute teachers and devoted to student discipline. (MLF)

Describes a school administrator's experience when he was a substitute teacher for a day. (MS)

Presents successful classroom management strategies for substitute teachers, including maintaining a folder of activities, making introductions, reading a story, inviting problem students to be helpers, establishing firm rules, practicing the classroom teacher's rules, telling students about oneself, and rewarding good behavior with stamps on a…

Discusses difficult problems faced by substitute teachers, what can be done to alleviate those problems, and how a substitute teacher should deal with a hostile student. (SR)

Advice for making substitute teaching a more effective and rewarding experience for everyone involved is offered in this compilation of 10 articles taken from issues of "Grade Teacher" (Oct. 1969), "Instructor" (Dec. 1959, Oct. 1970, Mar. 1972, Mar. 1977, Nov. 1979, Aug. 1983), "Learning" (Jan. 1974), and…

A former substitute teacher explains how she won first-graders' attention and significantly improved deportment by pretending to be a Martian with different communication modes and hearing capabilities than terrestrials. Children painlessly learn tips on listening, communicating, and engaging in friendly behaviors. (MLH)

Examines the problems substitute teachers have with conducting regular lessons when the class is unruly and offers a student questionnaire that gives an idea of what substitutes face as one solution. (JC)

Practical suggestions for creating and maintaining a productive and positive classroom environment are presented in this guide for substitute teachers. Suggestions for executing emergency lesson plans as well as tips for effective management techniques are included. Substitutes are advised to: visit the school or call the teacher ahead of time if…

Describes the experiences of a middle school substitute teacher working with a diverse group of students. Highlights how the actual experience of working with and disciplining students differed from what the teacher had learned as theory and questions whether it is possible to educate in a democratic manner without centralized coercion. (SM)