The Bus Stop Blog by STEDI.org

This is a guest post by Patricia, a substitute teacher in California.

As teachers, we are often asked to teach vocabulary words to students. For those students who have been speaking English their entire life, sharing a synonym of the word usually clarifies it. But for those students who aren't as familiar with the English language, following are a few suggestions on how to help students understand their vocabulary words.

1. Write the word on the board.
2. Say the word out loud.
3. Ask the students to repeat the word out loud.
4. Ask the students to write down the word on their own paper.
5. Mime the word for the students. (There may be students who would like to mime the word.)

For example, if the vocabulary word was "dawdle," the teacher should write it on the board, say it out loud, ask students to repeat the word and write it on their paper. The teacher could then walk over to the desk and act as if they were dawdling to help students who are still unclear about the word's meaning.

Hello, Bus Stop readers! I am Rachel Friedrich of the Sub Hub blog. I have been a substitute teacher in grades K-5 for three and a half years. At Sub Hub blog, my goal is to provide teachers and subs with ideas, tools, and activities to make substitute days be just as productive as regular school days. You can find me at SubHubOnline.blogspot.com.

I wanted to share a few things I have come across as a sub that are refreshing and make my life easier. And on the other hand, I have also seen a number of practices that throw up stumbling blocks and are to be avoided.

In December's Subinar, we discuss taking time to observe other teachers. If you are interested in the Observation Form, click the download button below.

One new challenge that substitute teachers are facing is difficulties with using an interactive white board. Often permanent teachers will leave lesson plans for substitute teachers to implement on the interactive white board and substitute teachers don't know how to access them.

If you are familiar with interactive white boards, please take a minute to share your insights as a comment below.

As substitutes, it's difficult to develop connections with students who you've just met and may only spend one day with. The following tips will help you gain their trust and build a relationship, even in the short term.

1. Speak in the second person. People who are perceived to be dull and boring speak in the first person almost continuously.

When we initially did research for the Substitute Teacher Handbook, we found that on average, permanent teachers spent roughly 45 minutes putting together lesson plans for substitute teachers. When we hear from district personnel and permanent teachers, their message is the same. They want substitute teachers to follow the permanent teacher's lesson plan.

What is your biggest challenge when it comes to following the lesson plan?

Share your thoughts as a comment below.

Join us for the 30 minute Subinar, we'll discuss what school district personnel expect from substitute teachers.

There will be two sessions available on November 16, 2011.

November 16, 2011 3:30-4:00 PM MDT (5:30 Eastern Time)
November 16, 2011 4:30-5:00 PM MDT (6:30 Eastern Time)

Hope you can make it!

If you would like the slides for the October Subinar to go with the audio, click the download button below.