Emergency Sub Plans

Thankfully, Financial Math has a SIMS-like program that was purchased by my District for our use.  I have several released to students and when I am absent, I usually have one or more of them available for students to work on.  I grade them once every 9 weeks so student have time to get them completed.  Sometimes, I have a sub planned when they are working on their unit project.  

This is for those true emergencies...you know those that creep in at 3 AM?

In the back of my attendance binder I have three plans ready to use.  I have a note stating where the copies are found and that an answer key is provided.  I found a book that had several thinking skills tasks, like which stick should be moved to create/make_____.  The tasks are organized on a calendar-like format and students show their answer to my Substitute for credit (check on the seating chart).  Most checks gets a surprise/treat at the end of class.  I have sugar free suckers, stickers, and fun pencils.  Seniors really like the suckers and pencils - so it is time to find new stickers.

My second lesson is a group riddle.  They have to use their math skills to solve various problems.  Each groups starts at a different place.  I believe it is from an All Things Algebra activity.  I am writing this at home and my lesson is at work!  It is a round-robin event but I have made enough copies that student groups do not move around the room.  They need to show their answers in a line for my Substitute to check.  Those that finish, get a prize/treat.

My third lesson is a movie.  I know a movie in a math class? Financial math?  I have a list of questions for student to think about as they watch the movie, UP!  They are to wonder how much money they young scout earned selling his product.  They need to predict the cost of the development around the house and the possible price offered for purchasing the house.  They also need to research how many balloons would be needed to lift a house of comparable size.  This are skills they have to research using the internet.  This lesson is obviously for more that one day absent.  It is reserved for an emergency that potentially could keep me away for a week.  I will be adding the "what do you notice? what do you wonder? type questions so this lesson is more varied.  I envision it being more of a group work activity.