Every teacher has been there. A sick child, a flat tire on the way to school, or an unexpected phone call can quickly turn an ordinary morning into a scramble to get a substitute.
One of the best things you can do to reduce stress is to prepare an emergency sub folder ahead of time. When the unexpected happens, you will know that your students still have meaningful science work to complete while you are away.
To help you prepare, I am sharing five free science sub plans that you can download and leave in your substitute folder. These lessons are easy to implement, require little preparation, and keep students engaged in meaningful science learning. These science sub plans are perfect for emergency situations when you need quick, meaningful lessons for your substitute teacher.
Even better, many of these resources include both printable and digital versions, making them perfect for traditional classrooms, 1:1 environments, or Google Classroom.
Three of the lessons listed below can be used in any science class, which makes them especially useful if you teach multiple subjects such as life science, physical science, or general science.
Download them now, print them, and place them in your emergency sub folder so you are always prepared.
1. Graphing and Data Analysis Practice
Graphing and data analysis are essential science skills that students need to practice regularly. This free activity gives students a set of data that they must graph, followed by questions that guide them through interpreting the results.
Students practice identifying patterns, analyzing trends, and drawing conclusions from scientific data.
This lesson works well as a substitute activity because students can work independently while still practicing important scientific reasoning skills.
If you are interested in teaching graphing skills more deeply, you may also enjoy reading my post about teaching graphing in the science classroom.
Download the free graphing activity here: Free Graphing Activity
2. Characteristics of Life PowerPoint and Worksheet
This lesson introduces students to the characteristics shared by all living organisms. The activity includes a PowerPoint presentation along with a three page student worksheet.
As the presentation is shown, students complete the worksheet by identifying and explaining the key characteristics of living things. The questions are designed to encourage discussion and deeper thinking.
Although this lesson is often used near the beginning of a biology course, it also works well as a review activity later in the year. This activity reinforces the important science skills of making observations, drawing conclusions, and comparing and contrasting.
Download the free Characteristics of Life lesson here.
3. Compare and Contrast Study Skills Graphic Organizer
This simple graphic organizer is one of my favorite tools for helping students develop study and critical thinking skills.
Students compare and contrast two scientific concepts they have been studying. This activity encourages them to organize their thoughts and identify similarities and differences between related ideas.
This graphic organizer can be used for any topic, any grade level, any type of science class, and at any time of the year.
Examples students might compare include:
- photosynthesis and cellular respiration
- mitosis and meiosis
- vascular and nonvascular plants
- prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
You can learn more about using this organizer in the classroom in this blog post.
Download the free graphic organizer here.
4. DNA Informational Text with Graphic Organizers
In this activity, students read the famous one page paper published by James Watson and Francis Crick describing the structure of DNA.
The lesson includes the original article along with graphic organizers that help students analyze the text and identify key ideas.
Even if you are not currently teaching a genetics unit, this activity still works well because it allows students to practice reading scientific informational text, which is an important skill in science education.
You can learn more about using informational text in science classes here.
Download the free DNA informational text lesson here.
5. Genetics Monohybrid Cross Practice
This worksheet gives students practice solving monohybrid genetics problems using Punnett squares.
Students analyze several genetic crosses and determine possible offspring genotypes and phenotypes.
This lesson works especially well in life science and biology classes, and it is also a helpful review activity before tests or end of course exams.
You can read more about teaching monohybrid genetics here.
Download the free monohybrid genetics worksheet here.
Preparing Your Emergency Science Sub Folder
Unexpected absences happen to every teacher. Taking a few minutes now to prepare an emergency sub folder can save a lot of stress later.
A well prepared substitute folder should include:
- Several ready to use lesson activities
- Clear instructions for the substitute teacher
- Copies of student worksheets or access to digital assignments
- Simple activities students can complete independently
When you have these materials ready to go, you can handle unexpected situations with confidence knowing that your students will still be engaged in meaningful science learning.
As the saying goes:
The prepared teacher is the calm teacher.
More Ready to Use Science Lessons (Paid Resources)
If you find these free lessons helpful, you may also enjoy some of the complete science activities available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
These are full classroom resources designed for daily instruction and include detailed teacher guides, student worksheets, and digital versions for Google Classroom. The following are paid resources but are perfect for science sub folders.
You can explore more science activities here:
Graphing Practice Problem Worksheets
Lab Equipment Color By Number Activity
Scientific Notation Color By Number Activity
Science Process Skills: Compare and Contrast
Planning your biology course? Download my free 189-page Biology Curriculum Teacher Guide to see exactly how I organize an entire school year.
