Below are scenarios of a variety of situations and some suggestions for how to deal with them.

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Kids taking advantage of the “new teacher” (Grades 6-12)
A substitute teacher walks into the classroom, introduces him/herself briefly, then immediately starts students on tasks for the day.  Most of the students follow the substitute teacher’s lead, but a few prove to be reluctant learners. 

One hand is raised, “I need to go to the bathroom”. Another hand, “I forgot my book in my locker.” Minutes later, “I need a drink of water.” The students insist that it is the teacher’s policy to let them go for all these reasons, so the substitute teacher lets them leave the room. The three meet in the hallway and are caught by the principal, who escorts them back to the room after writing out detention slips.   The substitute teacher realizes the mistake that he/she has made. The sub should know the school policy on releasing students from class. Students may steer you wrong if it suits their purpose.  If there is no school policy (it is handled by individual teachers), the substitute should let only one student go at a time to the locker or the bathroom. 

Corrected action
The substitute first introduces him/herself, then set general rules for the day. Should the students resist, claiming this is not normal procedure, the substitute teacher can explain that these  are his/her rules (a nice way of saying that it is non-negotiable).

*Note--In the elementary school setting, it is not good practice to send a student out of the classroom unsupervised, unless there is an emergency. There are usually scheduled bathroom breaks throughout the day.

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An overcrowded classroom
The substitute teacher is preparing for class and realizes that the room is wall-to-wall desks. The students arrive and sit down. The substitute teacher surveys the room during his/her introduction, looking for signs of problems. Ten minutes later the substitute teacher notices two students throwing things at another student. As the substitute teacher approaches, he/she overhears name-calling as well. 

Solution
The substitute teacher, while remaining calm with a law voice, separates the three students.He/she seats them in opposite corners of the room. 

Bad reaction to the situation
The substitute teacher yells at the two students who were provoking their peer. Making a big scene is rarely a good way to get a point across. Keep your voice low and calm; don’t let the situation provoke you. 

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A particularly loud student
A substitute teacher is introducing the task for the day and a student interrupts loudly. The first time, the substitute teacher decides not to make an issue out of it, attempting to diffuse the situation. After all, it could be a one-time thing.  Unfortunately, the student continues with a second, then a third interruption. The student seemed to be warming up. The substitute teacher knows that he/she has to do something fast before the situation escalates.

Solution
The substitute teacher pauses briefly to say in a calm rational voice, "I find this behavior unacceptable. We will talk about it later". Then he/she continues on with the lesson, as the class begins working. Then the substitute teacher quietly calls the student up to the desk. He/she states, "I am sure that you are a great person with a lot to share, but talking out is not acceptable. I can't allow any more disruptions because it is keeping me from doing my job. I show respect for you by doing my best job leading the classroom, and I expect in return your respect and cooperation. What do we need to do at this point?” The student has no choice but to follow with "Stop interrupting you, I guess". The student returns to his/her desk and starts working. 

*Note--Don't allow a student to argue with you. Give them the information that they need (as in the example above) and leave no room for meaningless opposition. 

Bad reaction to the situation would be
The substitute teacher reacts in a defensive manner saying “You will either keep your comments to yourself or you will end up in the office." The student feels threatened and reacts badly, throwing her book down on the floor. The substitute teacher has now lost a chance to reach this student. Remember:  never threaten unless you are prepared to carry through your threat.

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Students refusing to work
The class starts a project and the substitute teacher notices students not following suit. In fact, they show no sign of planning to perform the assignment.

Solution
The substitute teacher talks to the students one at a time. The teacher tells the student that he/she noticed that they weren’t participating. The substitute may have the student choose their next course of action by laying out the consequences of continued refusal and rewards for cooperation. 

*For the elementary age level, taking 5 minutes from recess may be a motivating factor. 

*For middle school and high school, keeping them after class or school as a consequence may work.

The substitute teacher may appeal to them by saying that he/she wants them to do well and are willing to help if they need it. When the students return to their seats, watch to see if they start the project. If they don’t, prompt them again while walking around the classroom. Finally, if the students still refuse to work, the substitute may need to contact a neighboring teacher or refer the students to the office.

*Note--It is a good idea to ask a neighboring teacher about discipline policies before the teaching day begins.

Bad reaction to the situation would be
The substitute teacher, in front of the class, asks a student why he/she isn't working. The student takes the floor by saying “I don’t want to." The substitute teacher’s credibility is now damaged and authority challenged. This is a situation to avoid. If at all possible, don’t orchestrate a situation that will give bad behavior center stage. 

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Student challenging your teaching style
The substitute teacher is teaching the lesson and a student interrupts to tell him/her “That’s not the way our teacher does it!”

Solution
Acknowledge the comment, but give yourself credit for being an intelligent adult. The sub may respond like this, “This may not be the way you are used to, but let’s try it my way today. At the end if you have any appropriate comments to make, please let me know.”

Bad reaction to the situation would be
The substitute teacher fires back with a harsh comment, "Do I look like your normal teacher?  I don't think so!" This is an especially bad response because you are showing the students that you have absolutely no respect for them. The other students may see this as an unfair attack on a fellow classmate and react negatively. The substitute teacher just multiplied his/her problems in the classroom.

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Cheating on a Quiz/Test#1
After having them clear their desks of everything but a writing utensil, the substitute teacher passes out the quiz that the teacher had left for the class. As the students start the quiz, a few in the back start talking. Talking is not permitted during a quiz; this is a form of cheating. The substitute has a choice. Does he/she interrupt the quiz to confront them, or make an announcement to the whole class that any form of communication will be interpreted as cheating?

Solution
Our suggestion is that you make the announcement to the class and continuously walk around the classroom (particularly in the area of the two chattering students). Then take note of their names and, when the quizzes are collected, mark them at the top with a description of the offense. Leave a detailed note about what transpired for the teacher and let the classroom teacher make the call on whether or not to count the quiz. The substitute teacher can opt to tell the student about the note that he/she will be leaving for the regular classroom teacher. In this case, make it clear that it is not a point for discussion and the regular classroom teacher will decide the consequence. 

Bad reaction to the situation would be
The sub interrupts the flow of the quiz for the whole class by singling out the two talking students. The substitute teacher takes the quizzes from those students, telling them they both received zeros. Potentially one or both of those students will argue against the substitute teacher’s judgement (further distraction for the other students), opening up additional opportunities for others to cheat.

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Cheating on a Quiz/Test#2
After the quiz begins, the substitute teacher walks around the classroom monitoring progress. He/she spots a folder open to the study guide for the quiz at the feet of one of the students. Again, another method of cheating has been identified.    

Solution
The substitute confiscates the folder quietly and takes note of the student’s name. Again, he/she should write the teacher a detailed note of what transpired and mark the student’s quiz when it is turned in. 

*The next time this substitute teacher gives a quiz in class, he/she explains the basic rules in quiz/test taking: no forms of communication allowed (unless directed towards the teacher by raising a hand); all materials related to the class put away and out of site; eyes on your own paper (wandering eyes interpreted as cheating). The substitute may even explain how he/she would handle a cheating situation. For example, “I will be watching for any signs of cheating. If I see you talking, looking around, or using a cheat sheet, I will make your teacher aware of the incident."

*Note: Some schools prefer that you "write up" students immediately after the quiz/test or send them to the office. Be sure to know school policies on this issue.

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Updated 01/14/08tf