Whether for ensembles, general music classes, or elective courses, effective substitute plans for the music classroom are key to a successful school year. Illness or unexpected absences are inevitable for any teacher, so having well-organized, meaningful activities at the ready is crucial – especially if the assigned sub doesn’t have a background in music. To give you a leg up on your first year as a music teacher, J.W. Pepper has created the ultimate planning guide for days when you are absent, ensuring that you are not only setting up your substitute for success, but you are also creating a seamless learning environment for your students until you can return. Download our complete Music Sub Planning Kit and read on for everything you need to know about planning for substitute teachers.
1. Plan Ahead and Stay Organized
First and foremost, do your research! Check with your school district about expectations for teacher absences and touch base with fellow music teachers in your school. It’s possible substitute policies specific to your music department have already been established to guide your planning. These colleagues will be the first line of contact for your sub, and therefore clear communication from the get-go is paramount.
Using our Sub Tub Checklist, establish a drawer, box, or other area specifically designated for substitute lesson plans and resources. This kit, or “sub tub,” should contain need-to-know school information, lesson plan options for each class, back-up and no-prep lesson plans, a lesson tracker, and a feedback form for subs to complete at the end of the day.
If possible, establish student leaders in each class who can assist with any immediate questions a substitute may have. These students can also show your sub where to find materials needed to complete the lesson. Ask substitute teachers to leave notes about each class using the Substitute Feedback Form and keep a record throughout the year about what was or was not successful.
2. Gather Need-to-Know Information
Your substitute will most likely never have stepped foot in your classroom before, so there will be a lot of information for them to absorb at the beginning of the day – especially if they don’t have previous experience in a music classroom! In your sub tub, include a binder with student rosters, class schedule, classroom rules and expectations, school safety procedures, school contacts, coverage assignments, LMS credentials, and any other necessary information unrelated to the lesson plans. This packet should lead with Pepper’s customizable Need-to-Know Cover Sheet to organize this information clearly in one spot.
3. Choose Go-To Lesson Plans and Activities
Go-to activities that can be successful in any ensemble or classroom environment are ideal for unexpected absences. Have a list of lesson plan options that any sub, regardless of music experience, can easily lead. Organize by class or class type, and include plans that can incorporate worksheets, music games, online assignments, music videos or movies, music centers, and independent work. Be sure to include Pepper’s Lesson Plan Tracker, a place for your substitute to log which lessons were taught in which classes and where they can leave written feedback about each class.
When creating lesson plans and activities, think outside the tub! There are digital and online resources that can be the backbone of many lesson plans and require little prep: websites, music apps, and streaming content make it easy to customize lessons to your classes.
Here are some free online resources for developing engaging lesson plans for your sub tub:
- musictechteacher.com – links, quizzes, lessons, and resources for incorporating music tech in the classroom
- musictheory.net – practice fundamental music reading skills
- noteflight.com – web-based notation platform
- Chrome Music Lab – virtual exploration of music
- Citizen DJ – make music with free audio materials
- Groove Pizza – electronic beat making
- Kennedy Center Education – lessons for all art forms
- Music and the Brain – keyboarding curriculum and music literacy
- Music Will Jamzone – modern band lessons and songwriting
- Roland Zenbeats – music creation app
- The Shed – classroom lessons and resources
- Mixcord Acapella – music collaboration app
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – music lessons and activities
- Preservation Hall Foundation – New Orleans musical traditions
- Dynamic Music Room – online music games
- Jazz Education Network – traditional jazz curriculum kit
If you have a planned absence, it’s beneficial to design lessons that relate to the sequential work being done in class. This is a great opportunity to put student leaders to work – they can answer the sub’s questions, provide any necessary context, and even assist with leading the lessons. This helps ensure that your students are productive and continue to make progress in your absence.
4. Find Resources & Support
As a music educator, it’s important to connect with fellow teachers to learn, grow, and seek support. J.W. Pepper’s website has countless resources for new teachers, including a New Music Teacher Club and Newest Tools for Teachers, our hub for finding curated lists and featured products. Peruse our blog, Cued In, for articles, videos, and interviews that would make great content for sub lesson plans, and be sure to download Pepper’s Music Sub Planning Kit.
Talk to your former instructors, mentors, peers, and coworkers for advice about successful substitute planning. Don’t underestimate your students’ input, either – you can learn a lot by simply asking how substitute days have operated in the past as well as which plans were effective.
Join Pepper’s New Music Teacher Community group on Facebook to share ideas with music teachers across the country. Additionally, membership in regional or national music organizations often include resources like publications, blogs, message boards, and conferences, giving teachers opportunities to convene and network. Research these organizations and determine which would be beneficial to you.
- National Association for Music Educators (NAfME)
- American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
- American String Teachers Association (ASTA)
- International Society for Music Education (ISME)
- International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM)
- National Band Association (NBA)
- Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
- American Orff-Schulwerk Association
- Dalcroze Society of America
- Suzuki Organization of the Americas
- Organization of American Kodaly Educators
- National Flute Association
- Jazz Education Network (JEN)
5. Check out Pepper’s Featured Products
J.W. Pepper is your one-stop-shop for products to enhance your substitute lesson plans in any ensemble or class. See below for featured products to guide your planning – and be sure to check out other recommended resources, both at the bottom of each product page as well as throughout our website.
General:
Ensembles:
- Choir-tivities: Inspired Ideas for Non-Rehearsal Days
- Choral Music Sub Plan Bundle – Matthew Gawronski
- Concert Band Resources
- Musical Instruments Jeopardy Bundle – Abby Mettry
Games:
- Pop the Question – The Ultimate Pop Trivia Quiz Card Game!
- Fun and Games – Wynn-Anne Rossi
- Notespeller Stories and Games Around the World – Karen Harrington
- Pasta or Composer (Music or Not) Game – Melissa Stouffer
Music Theory and Composition:
- Video Game Music Composition Project – Elizabeth Caldwell
- Music Theory and Activity Worksheets – Melody Payne
- Ultimate Music Theory Game Packs – Joanne Barker
- Movie Music Composition Project – Elizabeth Caldwell
Classroom Music and Electives:
- Curriculum Resources for Elementary Music
- Music Centers – Veronica Harper
- Music Technology Curriculum: 12 Project Ideas for Middle or High School
- Jazz for Young People, Volume 1: New Orleans & Jelly Roll Morton – Jazz at Lincoln Center
- Piano Teacher’s Resource Kit – Karen Harrington
Music teachers have so many details to keep track of throughout the school year, but with careful planning, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming! Avoid the stress of scrambling for sub plans by downloading the complete Music Sub Planning Kit and join our New Music Teacher Club for even more helpful content.
The post 5 Steps to Sub Tub Success: Substitute Lesson Plans for the Music Classroom appeared first on Cued In.