Are you a kindergarten teacher constantly juggling lesson plans and scrambling to put together engaging activities for substitute teachers? Look no further! These easy prep emergency sub plans and story extension activities based on the kindergarten classic story The Very Hungry Caterpillar are here to help you for a last minute absence.
Why These Sub Plans?
These sub plans offer a comprehensive solution for a stress-free day off. With minimal prep work, you can have a full day (and maybe even two days!) of meaningful common core activities aligned activities. They are perfect for early kindergarten and late pre-k but also include activities that can be differentiated to use anytime in kinder! These activities are perfect for keeping your students engaged while ensuring they continue learning in your absence.
It's as easy as 1-2-3!
- Print out the materials in advance.
- Label the included cover sheets with directions for each activity.
- Utilize editable sub forms as needed for seamless communication with your substitute teacher.
What's Included?
- Student Emergent Reader Books: These books are designed for coloring and reading, enhancing literacy skills in a fun way. Two versions of this activity are also included with a simple trace the number version as well as a second more complex version with. more wording.
- Story Sequencing Activities: Engage students in understanding story events through whole group activities and individual sorts. Large picture cards are included to complete a retell whole group. The student version include two options to chose from. Students can order the healthy food that the caterpillar ate, essentially matching numbers 1-5 and quantities or a more complex version where students can sequence the events from the story in order.
- Vocabulary and Grammar : Includes a label the pictures (with and without words to match, a vocabulary flip book and mixed up sentences (these also include and don't include words to match). The light colored words let students simply match the word, and is great if using this activity early in the year.
- Phonemic Awareness and Phonics: The phonemic awareness activity includes syllable practice from words in the story. The large pictures cards from sequencing activity offer a great whole group warm up. This activity works great early in the year in kindergarten if needed.
- For phonics activity, students will create a caterpillar color by code of short vowel sounds.
- Writing and Warm Up The writing portion is set up to be easy to differentiate based on the needs of your class. If using this activity early in the school year, students can practice tracing letters as a warm up. For the activity, they will write their name on a blank line and fill in a food from the story. They can then draw themselves eating this food. This is great to save as a keep as a class book for your library.
- If using this later in the year, students can write a sequenced story from caterpillar to butterfly using the transition words first, then next and last.
NOTE: As a freebie, you can grab this butterfly life cycle writing activity at the end of the post. It includes large picture cards to model the writing whole group with the large picture cards and also includes a student printable version. This is a great way to teach using sequence words: first, then, next and last.
- Math Practice Pages: Keep math learning on track with these math practice sheets. Includes over 15 different practice pages to chose from to use various times during the school year based on your needs. There are options, such as number tracing that is perfect for the beginning of the year as well as more complex kindergarten concepts such as composing teen numbers.
- Bonus Activities: Includes a story crown, word search, CVC words and more for added excitement. This again contains more than enough activities for a variety of skill levels in your classroom.
- Vocabulary Write the Room: A fun and interactive way to reinforce vocabulary. This can be used with the sub or as a follow up center activity when you are back in the classroom.
- Why Choose These Sub Plans?
- Comprehensive: These plans cover all subject areas, ensuring a well-rounded day of learning.
- Easy Prep: Simply make copies of the story and our activities, and you're all set!
- Meaningful Activities: Each activity is designed to be engaging and aligns with educational standards.
- Don't let last-minute substitute teacher arrangements stress you out. These easy prep sub plans will not only save you time but also ensure your students have a productive and enjoyable day of learning even when you're away. You can check out there Very Hungry Caterpillar Sub Planse on TPT.
