Backup Plans for Substitute Teachers (Grades 1–12)
Perfect for unexpected no-plan days, early finishers, or moments when you need to keep students learning and on-task.
Every substitute teacher needs a reliable set of backup activities — simple, meaningful tasks that work across different classrooms, subjects, and grade levels. These quick, ready-to-use options help maintain structure, keep students engaged, and ensure learning continues smoothly no matter what the day brings.
Below, you’ll find age-appropriate activities for Grades 1–3, 4–6, 7–9, and 10–12. Feel free to print these, add them to your sub bag, or bookmark them for future assignments.
Grades 1–3 Backup Plans
1. “Draw & Write” Prompt
Give students a simple prompt such as:
- Draw a picture of a time you helped someone. Then write one or two sentences about what happened.
- Draw your dream playground and describe your favorite part.
2. Story Starter Cards
Write 5–10 fun openers on the board:
- “One morning, my backpack started talking…”
- “If I could shrink and explore something tiny…”
Students choose one and write or dictate a short story.
3. 5-Minute Movement Breaks
Quick brain breaks that require no materials:
- Simon Says
- Follow-the-Leader
- Stretch-and-Freeze
These help reset energy and refocus students.
4. “Mystery Bag” Vocabulary Builder
Place a few classroom objects in a bag (pencil, eraser, small toy). Students reach in, describe an object using only adjectives or clues, and classmates guess.
5. Read-Aloud + Sketch
Read any picture book in the room. Have students sketch their favorite part and share why it stood out. Quiet, calming, and literacy-rich.
Grades 4–6 Backup Plans
1. 10-Minute Quickwrite Prompts
Great for ELA or any content area. Sample prompts:
- If you could invent a new school rule, what would it be and why?
- Describe a challenge you faced and how you handled it.
2. “Would You Rather?” Debate
Write 3–5 questions on the board:
- Would you rather live in space or underwater? Why?
Students choose a side, write a paragraph, then (optional) share arguments aloud.
3. Math Challenge Cards
On the board, write 4–6 problems increasing in difficulty (word problem, logic puzzle, number pattern). Students work individually or in pairs.
4. Nonfiction Quick Research
Provide a topic such as “an animal of your choice,” “a famous place,” or “a historical figure.” Students write 3 facts, 1 question, and draw a quick sketch.
5. Silent Sketch Stories
Students draw a four-panel comic that tells a story without using words. When done, partners guess the storyline.
Grades 7–9 Backup Plans
1. 15-Minute Writing Prompts
Perfect for middle school critical thinking:
- What is one rule in society you would change — and what might happen as a result?
- Describe a moment that changed the way you see the world.
2. The One-Page Challenge
Choose a topic (a character, an invention, a scientific phenomenon). Students create a single, organized page with:
- A title
- A diagram or sketch
- Three key facts
- A short explanation or summary
3. Article of the Day
Choose a short nonfiction article (many teachers keep magazines or class sets). Students complete:
- 3 things they learned
- 2 things they found interesting
- 1 question they still have
4. Peer Interview + Mini Biography
Students pair up, interview each other about hobbies, goals, etc., and write a short biography. Great for rapport-building in tough classes.
5. Creative Problem Solving Task
Pose a question like:
- How could our school reduce waste by 50%?
- What invention would make homework easier?
Students brainstorm solutions and sketch prototypes.
Grades 10–12 Backup Plans
1. Elevated Writing Prompts
Higher-level prompts for more advanced thinking:
- Do people have a moral obligation to stand up for others? Why or why not?
- What is one belief you once had that changed over time? What caused the change?
2. “Teach the Class” Mini Lessons
Students select a topic they’ve mastered (math concept, historical event, skill from a hobby) and create a 5-minute peer lesson.
Encourages leadership and active learning.
3. Critical Thinking Scenarios
Present a dilemma or scenario such as:
- A company discovers its product has a flaw that is not dangerous but embarrassing. What should they do?
Students write or discuss possible solutions.
4. Rapid Research & Summary
Give students a broad topic: climate change solutions, women in history, cybersecurity risks.
They must:
- gather three credible facts
- write a four-sentence summary
- provide one question for further research
5. Silent Reading + Reflection
Most secondary classrooms have a library section. Students read for 15 minutes, then write a 6-sentence reflection using this structure:
- What I read
- What stood out
- Why it mattered
- A connection I made
- A question I have
- My rating of the text