I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!  I've been repeating this to myself as I go through this last week of teaching before Maternity Leave.  Pregnancy has not been my friend this time around, and I'm just about ready to be done!  That being said, I'm also a control freak that has a hard time letting go, especially when it comes to my classroom!  I wanted to make sure that the person taking over for me would be as prepared as possible to take over my room.

I created a binder that would hold all of my information needed to teach my class.  I also created file folders that had originals of all the worksheets/papers I thought the class would need through out the year.

Maternity Leave Binder:

1.)  Introduction:

Basically, I included a letter to the substitute in case I had to leave unexpectedly.  In this letter I told them all the most important information: my phone number/email address, my teaching partner's information, where to find curriculum material, and where to find all the work I had prepared for the end of the year.  I also included a note that said that I would be taking all my personal belongings home.  Not that I think that a substitute wouldn't take good care of it, I just know how my class is and there is a very good chance that I wouldn't get any of my stuff back!  I left a lot of stuff that I was okay with not getting back or being damaged, just my more valuable stuff is coming home with me!

2.)  Curriculum Calendar:


I created a calendar on power point that spelled out assessment dates for the rest of the year, NWEA testing days, half days, and days off.  I also noted on the calendar the week that it was, so they could find the corresponding file folder with copies inside for that week (Type A much?! 😂).  Creating this calendar was also super helpful for me when it came to laying out what was needed for the rest of the year.  I don't plan on making lesson plans for the rest of the year, but I hope this at least lets them see where they should be when.

3.)  Monthly Curriculum Map:

Each subject has a page.

This was a more detailed plan than what I put on my calendar.  I basically broke up each month on one page, and made a page for each subject.  These pages included centers that corresponded with the lessons being taught for that week.  If the centers needed task cards or I wanted them to use a specific worksheet then I put them in the matching file folder.  For example, I have money task cards that will work really well for week 2, so I put them in April Week 2 file folder.

4.)  Procedures for Each Subject:


I gave a detailed run down for how I run each subject.  I tried to not assume how much my replacement would know about things like second grade curriculum, Daily 5 procedures, or even centers in general.  I wrote expectations that I have for my kids and all the procedures that they are used to.

5.)  Student Roster:

I gave a quick paragraph about each of my students.  I listed things that worked well for them, and things that they struggled with.  For my kiddos with behavior issues, I wrote buddy teachers that would be able to calm them down.  My kids with IEP's, I made sure to list all the services they received and a schedule of when they receive them.  I wrestled with the idea of leaving this, because sometimes kids just need a fresh start, but in the end I decided that it would be better to leave it than to not.


I totally get that a new person may come into my room and totally throw all of this out of the window.  That is totally fine with me, as long as my students adjust well.  I just wanted to make sure that my students had as much consistency as possible.  I won't be returning until next school year, so I want the substitute to create an environment that works best for their teaching style in the hopes that its makes them the most effective to reach my kids!

Three more day!! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!

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by VK