What Should Be In An Emergency Sub Folder?

Why do you need an emergency sub folder? What information should go in it? How is a folder different from sub-plans? I have ALL the answers! 

What is an emergency substitute folder?

An emergency substitute folder includes all the class and school information that your substitute might need on a day that you are away from your classroom. 

A substitute should be able to quickly glance at the folder and get the framework for your classroom.

Every week, month, and year, substitute teachers visit a variety of classes, buildings, and even districts. It goes without saying that there is a lot to remember!

Even a last-minute emergency may be easily handled by a sub if your folder is put together early in the year when you are well and ready.

A well-put-together emergency substitute folder provides your sub with all the information required for a fruitful day, week, or even longer-term sub assignment.

What should be in an emergency sub folder?

So, you may be asking yourself- what should be in a teacher’s sub folder? 

I like to divide my sub binder into the following sections to include all of the information that a substitute may need:

• School schedules- don’t forget to include bell schedule, assemble schedule, lunch & recess schedule, and specials schedule
• School information such as contact info and who to ask for help
• Class information, including student profiles, your seating chart & classroom map
• Classroom management
• Classroom procedures
• Other information
• Emergency procedures
• End-of-the-day forms, like these free sub notes with four templates, one for every season!
• Emergency substitute lesson plans

I’ve created a sample of free forms for you to try!

You may need to make a few updates to your folder as students come in and out of your classroom or other changes happen. But for the most part, once you have put together your sub folder at the beginning of the school year you’ll be set! 

What should be included in a sub plan?

A sub folder is different than sub plans in that your folder contains all the classroom and school information your substitute will need. 

Sub plans are the actual activities and lessons you want your students to do while you are away. In your sub plans, you should include a list of materials needed, an approximate timeline, and instructions for teaching the lessons.

Outside of your regular subject-specific lessons such as math, ELA, science, and social studies, I recommend including extra activities, so that your substitute has plenty of work for your students to do. 

Have you checked out Wife Teacher Mommy’s Ready To Go Sub Plans? If not, you need to. You won’t need to go to work while sick or stress about writing sub plans in an emergency situation. We’ve done the activity and lesson planning for you!

What’s the difference between an emergency sub folder and an emergency sub binder?

Sub binders and sub folders are basically the same. It is simply a difference in what you use to organize your information. 

I have a post all about creating a brilliant sub binder with literally EVERY detail you could need to put together your sub binder (or sub folder!).

Let us help you! 

You can put together your sub folder all on your own, but why? You have so much on your plate as a teacher already. Let us help you! 

Grab our Complete Sub Binder Bundle, so that all you have to do is fill in the information. Plus, you can have both a physical and digital copy of your sub folder ready at any time. 

All of these resources are available in my TPT Store or join Wife Teacher Mommy Club to get ALL ACCESS to our full library of resources, plus so much more!