Science teachers, stop worrying about needing to take time off when you are sick and shouldn’t be in the classroom. These science emergency sub plans will help save the day so you can rest and recover with peace of mind.
Every idea below is no-prep for your sub and works no matter which unit you’re in the middle of. Want something you can print right now? Grab my free emergency science sub plans for grades 5–8. Each lesson includes a short phenomenon reading, comprehension questions, a simple model sketch, and an optional CER extension.
Emergency sub plan ideas
Need something that keeps students quietly working for a class period? Science color by number worksheets are one of my favorite one-day sub plans. Students read a short passage, answer 5–7 questions, and then color using their answers, so they’re practicing content the whole time.
There are 12 science topics to choose from, so you can pick one that matches your current unit. Each sheet includes an answer key, which makes grading quick when you get back. Your sub doesn’t need any science background to run it.
Out for more than one day? These scientist and inventor sub plans work any time of year and stretch easily across a multi-day absence.
Students read short biographies of 15 scientists and inventors and answer comprehension questions, then finish with a science careers project. The set also comes with 15 bulletin board posters, so you get a hallway display out of your sub days. It works in both print and Google formats, and teachers have given it 4.9 stars from nearly 80 reviews.
CER is an abbreviation for claim, evidence, and reasoning; a process students can use to help strengthen their analysis skills in science.
Giving students CER practice is perfect for emergency science sub plans as they can be completed no matter which unit you are currently teaching.
If students have no prior experience writing CER responses, then check out these practice worksheets that use videos and common knowledge to begin using the CER writing formula.
Practice data and graphing skills
A sub day is a great time for students to practice reading and building graphs on their own. If you know you’ll be out for multiple days, giving students something that reinforces basic science skills is a helpful refresher.
My free Types of Graphs reading walks students through bar graphs, line graphs, and picture graphs, with practice questions they can answer without help. For more ideas, check out my post on interpreting graphs in science.
FREE choice science boards
Check out these free science choice boards for science emergency sub plans if you prefer keeping students on task with your science unit during your absence.
Each board includes 9 activities for students to complete to demonstrate their knowledge of the science topic.
Activities are varied to allow students with different learning styles to excel.
Choose to have students complete all 9 activities, create a tic-tac-toe pattern, or one activity, depending on how long your absence will take. A grading rubric allows you to assess their work quickly.
These free science choice boards also make an excellent formative assessment for your students, so use them even if you aren’t absent from your classroom!
What better way to keep students engaged during your absence than by using seasonal science activities as science emergency sub plans?
By incorporating monthly holidays and days of importance into your science curriculum, students will become engaged and learn more about the world around them.
With activities linking to NGSS, you never have to worry about how these activities fit into your curriculum.
What to leave for your sub
Before you add any activity to your sub tub, make sure your sub folder has the basics so the day runs smoothly:
- Class lists and seating charts
- Your daily schedule, including lunch, specials, and dismissal
- Clear, step-by-step directions for each activity
- Where to find copies and supplies
- An early finisher option (a color by number works great!)
- Names of a helpful teacher and a few reliable students
- Where to leave finished work for you
Whether you are sick, stuck in a meeting, or have car trouble, these ideas can easily be used as science emergency sub plans. Don’t forget about these quick ideas too:
- Review games for the unit you’re teaching
- Science Journal for Kids, a free site with research articles written for students, with comprehension questions and vocabulary
Want sub plans ready before you need them? Grab my free emergency science sub plans and keep them in your sub folder.
