When you wake up feeling crummy and you’re in a pinch, the LAST thing you want to do is plan a sub day, or worry about your students falling behind if you’re in a tight pacing guide. Today I wanted to share some “anytime” sub plan activities you can use when you need to step out, that won’t let your students fall behind. Check out 8 easy to use Spanish sub plans!
Watch the Video
8 Easy to Use Spanish Sub Plans
A few quick notes for you before I get into the options. There’s a mix of print & digital activities here. Sometimes digital is more effort than it’s worth, and sometimes it’s perfection, so I have options. I know that some schools don’t allow technology when a sub is present, so I made sure to include some no tech options, too!
Also, some of these are activities I do over and over again, but I wouldn’t leave them as a “first time” activity with a sub. Once we’ve done them a few times, students are able to handle them without you no problem!
1. Boom Cards
Boom Cards are super low prep – just post and go! They are digital task cards (although you can print them if you’d prefer) and they give your students reading, writing, and listening practice with just about any topic you can imagine!
Already love Boom Cards? Check out all the sets I have ready for you here!
2. ¡Corre en Círculos!
I love love love this scavenger hunt style game, and once your students have played it once or twice, they can do it without you! Click here to learn how to play.
If your class is the type that can’t quite handle getting up and moving with a sub in the room, you might like one of the variations where you play it as a mini puzzle, or even digitally!
If you would like to download a set with the student answer sheet, answer key, and all the questions and prompts made for you, here are ALL of my ¡Corre en Círculos! activity sets!
3. Dictation Activities
Any combination of classic dictation, read and draw, or listen, write, and draw is a great option for a sub plan! Students listen to a pre-recorded file, write what they hear, and then illustrate it to show their understanding.
4. El Toro
This review game is so engaging you can just leave the copies and let them play the whole class period! This is another one I would make sure you’ve played with students first because it can be a little tricky to get the hang of it. Learn how to play here!
The other thing about this game is that it can get a little noisy. You might want to check the instructions for the silent version instead!
Click here to download my pre-made review game packs for this game!
5. Gallery Walks
Gallery walks are a great option to give your students a TON of input. Print the readings, make copies, and let your students go! You can also use the digital options included instead if your class might not behave themselves when up and moving about without you.
Of course you can do gallery walks with images, infographics, student projects, and readings, but my favorite option is to give students several short readings and comprehension questions that fit with our unit. Check out all the pre-made sets I have ready for you here!
6. Maze Worksheets
I love maze worksheets, especially when paired with something else. They’re likely a bit too quick to use on their own during a sub day. (Hello, chronic over planner when it comes to sub plans, here!)
My favorite way to use maze worksheets on a sub day is as a fast finisher after students are done with ¡Corre en Círculos!, but there’s a lot you can do with them! Check out my post on 10 ways to use maze games here!
Of course I have a bunch of pre-made options here to save you time, but I also have an editable version you can grab if you’d prefer to make your own. Check out the editable template here!
7. Roll a Story Writing
Roll a Story is the perfect easy sub plan. Give students a copy and a die and they are set! Students roll a die to determine key elements of their story. Then, students write a short story in Spanish, filling in any details creatively as they need to finish their story!
If you’ve never tried a Roll a Story activity before, here’s my blog post explaining how to do them and a free download for you to try!
8. Virtual Field Trips
I LOVE virtual field trips as an easy to use sub plan. Just post the links in Google Classroom and let your students explore and learn!
I have over 60 virtual field trips already made for you here! Explore any Spanish-speaking country, famous people from around the world, cultural celebrations, and more. Click here to see all of the trips that are ready for you to post and go!
8 Easy to Use Spanish Sub Plans
There are 8 ANYTIME sub plan activities – they’re easy to use, engaging, and your students will love them. Plus, you can post or print and go. If you want to try them out, there are free resources linked above. Enjoy!
Save this post for later!
Looking for more?
Check out this post on what to include in your sub binder so you’re always ready!
You might also like this video on the emergency sub plan packets I keep copied for those just in case moments!