I subbed a middle school Science class (7th - 8th) on Tuesday to try it out again since I usually stick to 4th and below. It got bad when they stuck me in another classroom because they couldn't get a sub (the principal stepped in for the first two periods and when my teacher had prep, they sent me in). I had a difficult time finding out where this teacher's roll sheets were. So I solved that problem by handing out a sign-in sheet. Now my problem was taking down names to discipline students. I couldn't write their names on the board because they'd start off giving me fake names while some of the class laughed. I was not amused. Other quieter kids would later give me the names... which led to troublemakers yelling across the room: "THANK YOU VERY MUCH _so-and-so_!", or I was able to catch troublemaker-name's on their own work. Other than writing the teacher about it, is there another way around this? I was annoyed and hurt... wished I didn't have to guess people's names... and that no diligent workers had to get threatened. I haven't been subbing for a long time. I feel very... noobish to ask about this situation. /:
I haven't been in that situation, but I probably would have called the office and asked for an attendance sheet.
Haha, me too. I keep thinking about the situation and can't think of a strategy other than just telling the teacher later. I guess I'm still just shocked that students would go so far to mess with a sub like that. I don't remember kids doing that while I was in school. I guess I just have a sort of "what the heck?!" feeling. They made it really hard on me that day.
I have substituted in classes where I could find no roll sheet. Before a class came in, I would make a quick seating chart of the desk locations. Then when the students came in, I would have a "do now" on the board, take around the sign in sheet, and point to the area where they needed to sign their names. Even when I had a roll sheet, I'd make up the seating chart, and when I called off the names from the roll sheet, I'd quickly jot the names down in the chart. It was worth the trouble. There is nothing more powerful for a sub than being able to hold students accountable. It also made it a whole lot easier if I went back to the same class. They knew I was a person to contend with, and the day would always go more smoothly.
The school needs to give you either updated seating chart or roll sheets. There is no way around it. If you have roll sheet but no seating chart, announce to the class that if they don't respond to their names, they get no attendance and then do the following which will show to their teacher who sits where: (1) Draw the layout of the desk yourslf, labelled the period, room number/ teacher's name and the date. (2) As you call roll, (i)if there is a number next to their names on the roll, write that number for the corresponding desk the student is sitting (ii)if there is NO number next to their names on the roll, (a) write numbers 1, 2, 3, ... either on the roll sheets or for the desks. If, you write for the desks, write one row at a time in order. I suggest you write on the roll. Then use that number to match between roll sheet and desk. (3) (a)If you must send the roll sheet to the office with a student during that period, write a note asking for a photo copy of it which you will use to make remarks using code such as "tl" for talking loud, "w" for walking around, "m" for moving (write the # of the desk they move to). (b)If you can keep the roll sheet till the end of the periode/day, write on that roll sheet to make remark. Just don't forget to ask for a copy when turning it to the office to leave it for the teacher. Explain to the class of your system and most should be smart enough to know to cooperate. At least, you would get the attendance done and know their names. A few who wouldn't cooperate just need to be removed from the classroom. If the help doesn't arrive quickly to take them, make them stand outside the classroom if they are rousing other kids. In some schools, they're told to go to the office with a note from you which I don't like since who has time to write notes especially one is not done with the roll call. So, I'd try to get the roll call done first using the system to have an upperhand about knowing their names. The school must give you the roll if they expect you to be empowered. Otherwise, I'd not sub middle schools and high shcools grades.
I've been subbing at one HS quite a bit in the last couple of months. Each teacher is required to turn in an attendance sheet each class period, so I've always had one to use for taking attendance. One teacher has gone the extra mile to include a separate attendance sheet, accompanied by her seating chart, in the Sub Folder/Notebook. THAT has been really helpful. When a teacher only left me 1 attendance sheet, I just kept that sheet during class and sent it to the office towards the end of the period instead of the beginning. Yes, that's later than the secretary wants it, but I've not had any complaints about it. If I did send the sheet down at the beginning of class, I told the student to ask the secretary to make a copy for him/her to bring back to me. During one of my sub assignments at the HS, I also got asked to "fill in" and cover a middle school class during my teacher's planning period. THAT room had NO attendance sheet at all! (YIKES ) Any time that happens, I tell the class "OK, I don't have an official attendance sheet, so to make things go quicker I need everyone who is absent to raise their hands." The students look at each other and get a good chuckle out of that. I usually get at least 2 or 3 that raise their hands. On this day, I went down each row and asked the students to give me their name, which I wrote down. Then, after making the joke about absent students, I said "Ok, seriously this time, are there any students that are absent today?" I have found students usually respond pretty well to this and will be truthful about who is out. One other thing I did with this particular class - after getting into the lesson for a bit, we began talking about memorizing and learning formulas. I told the class that I've always been lucky enough to memorize things very quickly. I then said, "If I had an attendance sheet for this class, I would probably know at least half of you by name already." They didn't believe me, of course, so I said "I tell you what, let's see how good I can do." So I went down each row again and had every student repeat their full name. Then I began calling on each student - by name - as I continued going over the lesson. I didn't really "memorize" their names. I just put it in short term memory and kept "reinforcing" the names by calling on different students each time. If I got a name wrong, it was no big deal because the students didn't really expect me to remember them that quickly anyway. They just corrected me (reminding me again of the right name) and I continued on. By the end of the class, I "knew" every student by name (at least for that day. ).
One other thing I've done is create a "Substitute Feedback" form for the regular teacher. I created a table with rows for each class so I can leave specific comments about behavior (good or bad) for that group of students. I also have a place to list Absent, Helpful and Disruptive Students. This allows me to record any students that "act up", plus give the teacher a brief description of exactly what the student was doing. It also allows me to compliment any students that were especially helpful. I created the form using Word. It took about 15 minutes to set it up. Now I just print copies to carry with me and I always have the perfect format for my comments for the regular teacher. I'll be happy to share this form with anyone interested or even post a copy of it here (if appropriate) for those who might like to see it.
If you suspect a student just gave you a fake name (others are laughing), then just walk over to that kid's desk, look inside his text book, or planner/calendar or something else that's likely to have the name in or on it somewhere. Or if you need to write a referral for someone like that, just call security and tell them the child will not give you his name and you'd like him to be escorted. The security person will either know it or get it out of him.
I'd like to get a copy of it Is there attachement feature with private message feature? Or should I send you a private message to provide an emaill address? I guess I need to do the latter
The high schools here are easy, everybody has to have an ID visible so I just ask to see their ID. The middle schools don't have to do that, but I just check the name they give me against the role. If it's not there I add to the referral that they lied about their name to stay out of trouble. But that's only happened once.
It would be nice to announce to them: "All those who give me fake names can go ahead & get ZERO credit on all work they do today too. After all, if you're not going to give me your real name, you're not accounted for." Now, even then, the smart ass kids will probably say, "fine, then I don't hae to do any work today!" But, they need some kind of good punishment. When I student taught a 6th grade class, the teacher made kids pick up trash around the school grounds at recess & lunch recess. I think that's a great punishment. Other than that, I really don't know. All day, I'd probably ignore the kids who gave me fake names & if they ask why I'm not calling on them, etc., I'd say, "If you're going to pretend not to be here, I'm going to pretend not to see you." Even that may backfire & they could do mischievious things & tell you that they can do them since you can't see them. Little asses!
Thank you posters for the advice! I should've thought of making a seating chart -- I guess I went through a shock. Roll sheet was my best idea at the time. I have much to consider for the next class. (= If anyone has more advice or situations to share, go ahead! And for those that wanted Cerek's table, I noticed someone's e-mail up there got removed so I PM'd him about it and hopefully we'll get a reply about it soon.
Sorry, I had to giggle a bit when you mentioned security...that would be awesome, but I don't see calling security in my near future. I really wish all schools could have that resource. Giving false names is something that I witnessed as a student growing up...it happened often. It's happened a couple of times while I've subbed as well, but when I looked at them the right way they decided it would be best to just give me their correct name.
I've had middle schoolers try to switch names. To counteract this, I make a seating chart at the beginning of class and tell them I give stars for good work and good behavior. I'll say something like, don't you hate it when subs only report BAD behavior. I'm going to do something different ... I make a big deal that it's not a caught being BAD chart - it's a caught being GOOD chart. Some "clever" students still won't give me their names, so I let them slide. Then, I give out tons of stars to kids who even try the littlest bit - I make it a fun thing. When the holders-out see others getting stars - they want in on the action - but I need their name so their teacher can tell how wonderful they were. And I don't make a big deal out of getting their name. I just say something like, "Great work, I see you put your name on your paper, what was your name again - I want to give you 2 stars for making an effort." Once I have their names ... I have power.
I tried to make an image of my form to post here, but it didn't work. If anyone else is interested in it, just send me your email address in a PM and I'll get a copy to you.
So, I guess I'm the only one who sends a blank sheet around the room? Even the class clowns put their name down because the last thing they want to have happen, is for their parents/guardians to get a call that they are absent when they're at school. Only thing else I tell them is to write their name legibly so as to not confuse the secretary when she inputs their info on their online attendance system
I've also sent a blank page around more than once. One HS I sub for takes their daily attendance around midday. They don't take attendance in the individual classes. While I'm familiar with most of the students, I'm not there often enough to know them all by name. So, in each class, I usually pass around a blank Sign-In sheet. I tell the kids the purpose for this is so their teacher will know who was here today and can give the students credit for being present. So far, I've never had any fake names written on the sheets at that school.
I thought I was sending a private message. I am glad that I got removed. I'd not to announce my email to the world
If you pass a blank she around (allowing them to pass in any oder), how do you keep track of their names?
I just stand in front of them when they sign in....that way, I know they are not adding others to the sheet, and always count off the # of students in class vs. the # who signed in, to make sure there are no inconsistencies. I've never had a problem
I *love* subbing for the teacher who leaves me a seating chart with pictures. Most don't, so my MS/HS routine is this: I tear 1 or 2 sheets of lined paper into 6 pieces. I write "Row 1" "Row 2" etc on the top line of each one & set them on the first desk of each row. The first person in each row prints his/her name & passes it back. I announce "If you do not write your real name, your real name will be marked absent." They're all used to me at one school by now, and most don't wait for my instructions before signing in & passing it back. When the papers all come forward, I praise the row that finished first (sometimes I toss out chips or airheads if I have 'em). I use the row info to take attendance and make my own seating chart. It has happened where someone signed in an absent friend, but when there was no "body" in that seat, I sent a note down to the attendance clerk to that effect. For classroom management, it is *much* more effective to say "Otis, go back to your seat" than "Hey, you in the blue shirt..." (Um, all the uniforms are blue.) Best to you.
