Identifying Student Support as a Substitute by yinkon her

Identify the Concerns

yinkonher — 2025-10-01 13:35:07 UTC

In classrooms I sub for, getting a quick analysis of a student's state of being is priority. Based on a quick glance, I want to gauge (on the surface level), how are they feeling, if they dread this class or if they are engaged. I'm not necessarily looking for bad, I'm trying to measure what their classroom engagement is going to be. This will affect how I conduct the lesson plan.

I pay attention to those who seem like they may be less interested, or distracted, or may struggle during the lesson.

Troubleshoot

yinkonher — 2025-10-01 14:28:22 UTC

In this phase, I have a number of students to check in with throughout the lesson. During my quick 3-5 second checkins, I try to gauge what kind of support they need, and the level of support as well.

Yes

yinkonher — 2025-10-01 14:31:55 UTC

Is the student an ESL student? If so, my initial support will be helping the student understand the text/instruction.

No

yinkonher — 2025-10-01 14:34:59 UTC

If no, I ask the student some background questions to try to measure why they may be struggling/disconnected in the lesson.

Inquiry Based Learning

yinkonher — 2025-10-01 14:40:22 UTC

I will adjust a portion of the lesson plan to a guided inquiry based learning. In the first activity, I will guide the class through text, or the content, while asking questions to gauge their analysis and processing.

Small Group Support

yinkonher — 2025-10-01 15:39:08 UTC

Once we finish with the teacher guided inquiry based learning, I will transition to a reflective activity, and assign students to groups. In the groups, they will communicate and work toward a group presentation/project. I then facilitate conversations and bounce from group to group.

Independent Work

yinkonher — 2025-10-01 15:43:04 UTC

Sometimes, if the majority of the students are engaged in the inquiry based learning, and are responsive, I will break them out into an independent activity. I will continue to bounce from student to student, maintaining more contact with students who have shown signs of needing support (understanding content, distracted from, or disassociated with class).

Coverage Summary Report

yinkonher — 2025-10-01 15:43:43 UTC

At the end of each class, I send a general class summary to the teacher and principal. Covers everything the duration of the lesson plan provided, feedback on student engagement in the lesson, and any notable behaviors, or areas of future student academic support (if needed).