I have been in this exact situation, as I am currently a substitute teacher. Students tend to pay less attention when a sub is there, it sucks to be the bad guy and of course, you want the kids to like you, but there are still things to be done, even though the teacher is gone. If the behavior is progressively getting worse throughout the day, I would get the class's attention and explain to them that there is work that needs to be completed, and if they decide to not work or to not listen to me, I would tell them that I would have to leave a note for their teacher. I would also give them an incentive for them to complete their work, like an extra recess at the end of the day or to be able to play a game. Sometimes assistance from someone from the office may be needed to help get back on track, it's never a bad thing to ask for help. The most important thing to remember is to just get through the day and complete as much of what the teacher left for you as possible. If issues arise, leave a note to explain everything to the teacher. Some classes are especially difficult, but as long as you did everything you could, you'll be alright.

The best thing to do is to leave a detailed note describing the events that went on that day. The reality is that some students simply won't listen but a way to combat this is for the teacher to leave detailed sub plans.

Some schools send in the behavior team to calm down the students after the sub calls the office, but what I think will also help is if the school has an Instructional Assistant (IA) for that grade. The IA can then pop into that classroom more often to help keep the students under control and calm as the sub is teaching the lesson.

Making a note to the teacher at the beginning of the day, and letting students know that it will be left for their teacher to see the next day is something that worked well for me. You just let them know every time you're adding something to the note, or give them a warning.

You could try to play along with the chaos, but making sure that all instructional activities get done; meaning exhibiting a work hard, play hard personality. It doesn’t always have to be law and order.

It is funny because most of the time when it is a planned substitution or there is premade work for the substitute I remember that those assignments were super easy and simple, usually being able to be completed in half to three quarters of the class time. If that is the case I would introduce yourself and then explicitly say something along the lines of "this assignment was left for you guys to complete today. As long as you complete the assignment you can use the remainder of class time to do work from other classes or converse quietly with other students who have completed their assignment." This will give the students the impression that you gave them a freedom reward, gaining their respect while also making sure they complete their work.

I have been in this exact situation, as I am currently a substitute teacher. Students tend to pay less attention when a sub is there, it sucks to be the bad guy and of course, you want the kids to like you, but there are still things to be done, even though the teacher is gone. If the behavior is progressively getting worse throughout the day, I would get the class's attention and explain to them that there is work that needs to be completed, and if they decide to not work or to not listen to me, I would tell them that I would have to leave a note for their teacher. I would also give them an incentive for them to complete their work, like an extra recess at the end of the day or to be able to play a game. Sometimes assistance from someone from the office may be needed to help get back on track, it's never a bad thing to ask for help. The most important thing to remember is to just get through the day and complete as much of what the teacher left for you as possible. If issues arise, leave a note to explain everything to the teacher. Some classes are especially difficult, but as long as you did everything you could, you'll be alright.

I would create an anchor chart of a flower stem. I would ask the sub to add a petal every time the students are on task and listening. I will ask the sub to take off petals when students aren’t listening and are misbehaving. Each petal is 5 minutes of recess added or subtracted.

I would turn the chaos into something fun! I was a sub once and I used to come up with nonverbal hand signals that the students came up with and that is what we used the rest of the day to communicate certain things.

I think that asserting yourself to the class and letting them know that it will not be a free day is very important. I also think body posture and voice command are important.

Re-inforce your authoritative position, and why you are there. Coordinate with the original educator with a plan that can help provide you authority

From what I read in the responses, they all want to be liked. that is the mistake. I do not think your job as a sub is to be liked. your job is to give them the work so they do not fall behind and that should be established from the begging. you are not there to make friends but to do your job.

I have had this happen. I am a substitute teacher. I use a stern but not rude voice and let them know that I will not talk while they are talking. I let them know that I believe in respect. I expect respect and in return I will give respect. If that does not work, then I praise the students that are behaving and have found that the others want praising also and will stop what they are doing.

I would let them know at the beginning of class what the teacher expects to be done today. I would also let them know that for those who poorly misbehave and often disrupt their classmates, a note will be left for the teacher. On that note, I would specify which student and what happened. Not just a general note of "class was misbehaving."

I feel like this depends on the grade you are substituting for. I have not had any issues when i stood in for a teacher, so it ultimately depends on how that teacher set their rules and policies in their classroom. If there was issues in the classroom, i would make sure to follow the policies and procedures placed by that teacher. I would also make sure to leave a detailed note for the teacher i am standing in for.