Sub Plans Made Easy: Low-Prep Literacy Activities

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Low-Prep Literacy Sub Plans

Whether you’re planning ahead for a scheduled absence, attending professional development, or waking up sick, every teacher needs a few dependable literacy activities they can pull out when it’s time to write sub plans.

Over the years, I discovered that the best sub plans were the ones that were easy to use, clearly explained, fun for students, and built around familiar routines. Now that I’m a substitute teacher, I appreciate those qualities even more. When students already know what to do, I can spend less time figuring out directions and more time helping students learn.

Now that I’m seeing sub plans from the other side of the desk as a substitute teacher, I appreciate those familiar routines even more. Clear directions, simple materials, and engaging lessons make the day easier for everyone—the classroom teacher, the substitute, and most importantly, the students.

I never wanted to leave busy work just because I was going to be absent. The literacy activities below are simple to prepare and easy for a substitute teacher to lead, but they’re still meaningful lessons built around quality children’s literature. They encourage students to think, discuss, read, write, and make connections to their own lives and school experiences.

In fact, I enjoyed many of these activities so much that I often used them myself, even when I wasn’t going to be absent. My students looked forward to them every bit as much as I did, and that’s how I knew they were worth adding to my sub plans. They were lessons I could feel good about leaving behind because I knew my students would still be learning, thinking, creating, and enjoying great books while I was away.

What DO Teachers Do (After YOU Leave School?)

If you’re looking for a literacy activity that practically writes itself into your sub plans, this is one of my favorites. After reading What DO Teachers Do (After YOU Leave School?) by Anne Bowen, students imagine what really happens after everyone goes home. Their creative responses are always hilarious, and it’s a wonderful way to encourage imaginative writing while practicing sequencing, descriptive writing, and complete sentences. The story imagines teachers roller-skating through the halls, having food fights in the cafeteria, and getting into all kinds of mischief after students leave for the day.

💚 Read the full post and grab the FREE What DO Teachers Do? writing template.

💚 Looking for even more writing options? Grab the updated What DO Teachers Do? resource in my TpT store.

Getting to School Writing Activities

Books about getting to school make wonderful read-alouds all year long. They’re especially popular during back-to-school season, but students enjoy imagining different ways to get to school no matter what time of year it is. Each story naturally inspires a creative writing activity.

This collection includes three literature-based writing lessons inspired by A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to School, On My Way to School, and How Will I Get to School This Year? Each activity includes a FREE printable writing template and invites students to imagine silly excuses for being late or creative new ways to travel to school. They’re easy to prepare, simple for a substitute teacher to lead, and engaging enough that you’ll probably want to use them yourself, too.

💚 Read the full Getting to School Writing Activities post and get all three FREE Getting to School writing activities.

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Windblown Craft and Writing Activity

Windblown by Edouard Manceau is one of those books that sparks creativity from the very first page. As scraps of paper blow through the story and transform into different animals, students can’t wait to imagine what they could create themselves.

After reading the story, students use the paper shapes to create their own animal, then write about their creation. Every project turns out differently, making this a wonderful activity for encouraging imagination, creativity, and writing. It’s simple to prepare, easy for a substitute teacher to lead, and always produces a classroom full of unique student work. 

💚 Read the full Windblown Craft and Writing Activity post for lesson ideas and student examples.

💚 Looking for a ready-to-use version? Explore the Windblown Reader Response Craft and Writing Activity in my TpT store.

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Are You Eating Candy Without Me? Writing Activity

Are You Eating Candy Without Me? by Draga Jenny Malesevic is a fun read-aloud that gets students laughing while encouraging them to think creatively. After reading the story, students imagine what their parents, teachers, or other grown-ups might be doing when they aren’t around. Their ideas are always imaginative, funny, and completely unique, making sharing time one of the best parts of the lesson.

The resource includes differentiated writing templates and even class book covers for creating a finished display. It’s simple to prepare, easy for a substitute teacher to lead, and a wonderful way to encourage creative thinking and writing through literature.

💚 Learn more about the Are You Eating Candy Without Me? Reader Response Writing Activity in my TPT store.

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It’s a George Thing! Reader Response Activity

It’s a George Thing! by David Bedford is a wonderful story about friendship, self-confidence, and discovering what makes each of us unique. After reading the book, students think about their own special “thing” and respond through writing and illustration. The activity encourages self-expression while helping classmates learn more about one another.

The resource includes differentiated writing templates with or without sentence starters, making it easy to adapt for a variety of learners. It’s simple to prepare, easy for a substitute teacher to lead, and a wonderful way to build classroom community through literature.

💚 Learn more about the It’s a George Thing! Reader Response Activity in my TPT store.

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What I Saw in the Teachers’ Lounge Response Activity

What I Saw in the Teachers’ Lounge by Jerry Pallotta is guaranteed to get students’ imaginations going. After reading the story, students imagine what really happens behind the teachers’ lounge door. Their creative ideas are always funny, surprising, and entertaining to read.

The resource includes multiple writing templates for differentiation, making it easy to adapt for a variety of learners. It’s simple to prepare, easy for a substitute teacher to lead, and a wonderful way to encourage creativity while practicing writing skills.

💚 Learn more about the What I Saw in the Teachers’ Lounge Reader Response Activity in my TPT store.

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My Teacher Is Not at School Today Writing Activity

If you’re looking for a writing activity that’s easy to leave for a substitute teacher, this is a great choice. Students imagine where their teacher might really be spending the day instead of being at school. Their responses can be silly, imaginative, or surprisingly thoughtful, and they’re always fun to read when you return.

Although this activity pairs perfectly with Miss Nelson Is Missing!, it works just as well on its own, making it an easy choice when you need a meaningful, no-prep lesson for a substitute teacher. The writing templates are ready to print, require very little explanation, and encourage students to use their creativity while practicing their writing skills.

💚 Learn more about the My Teacher Is Not at School Today Writing Activity in my TPT store.

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Wrapping Up Sub Plans Made Easy

Let’s be honest—none of us enjoys writing sub plans! But having a handful of dependable literacy activities can take away so much of the stress.

I hope this collection helps you build your own library of go-to sub plan activities. Before long, you’ll have a collection of meaningful lessons you can confidently leave behind, knowing your students will stay engaged, your substitute teacher will appreciate the clear directions, and learning will continue while you’re away.