16 Substitute Teacher Bag Things That Are Easy

All easy things around your house or on Amazon that you need in your substitute teacher bag to get you through the day and keep calm and carry on.

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All easy things around your house or on Amazon that you need in your substitute teacher bag to get you through the day and keep calm and carry on.

When I started substitute teaching I was so worried that I would not know what to do. Even though I had 16 years of elementary classroom experience, I knew it would be a whole new ball game every day. The best substitutes, I knew, always brought something with them (just in case 😉). So to help myself (and YOU) be successful in the classroom I put together some things that I thought would be helpful in your substitute teacher bag of tricks.

I call it my Magic Teacher Bag but really it is a substitute teacher bag or just really handy things to have in your classroom. These items are tailored mostly toward elementary substitutes but I have used this back in middle school as well. As the year has gone on I have picked up a few tips along the way. The things that make a great Magic Teacher Bag item is that it is special and unexpected.

1. Cute Useful Substitute Teacher Bag

I made my first teacher bag from a black canvas bag purchased at a craft store that had an outside pocket and used a white paint marker. But I have since upgraded to a sleek backpack bag that is soo much easier to carry. The bag needs to be big enough to hold everything but not so big that the bag breaks your shoulder. Some days I would have too much packed in it and if I needed to move between classrooms it was a pain. This list is made up of my tried and true essentials for a substitute teacher bag.

2. Snacks

Seriously, food is one to the most important things to keep me going and sometimes students too. I love Goldfish and the Cheez-its but the mother of all for me is Trail Mix really any easy snack food is great for your bag. I try to have foods that will hold up for days in my bag. There were a couple of days that my snacks saved me because I forgot my lunch and a couple of days that helped me win over a tough to reach kid who just needed something to eat. Food is a high priority for students.

3. Funny Read Aloud Books

Books are one of my favorite things (being a former librarian). I keep a few funny books in my bag that I can pull out if things are not going so well in the classroom. I have a couple that became favorites that I read and reread to classrooms I revisited. One of the best that I always kept in my bag was “The Book with No Pictures” by B.J. Novak. Guess Again by Mac Barnett also has a special place in my heart ❤️. Read at your own risk and make sure you can laugh at yourself. There are so many great books that this could be its own post.

4. Smelly Markers

Students love smelly markers, they are great for substitutes or teachers for checking papers, marking on hands, coloring, making notes or making posters. Really the gimmick with this is the novelty of it all. The only limit to smelly markers is your imagination. Stickers also fall into this ‘fun to use and special because the teacher gave it to me category’.

5. Sewing Kit

As surprising as this might be, it is actual magic for kids. They are enamored with being able to fix things and for those students who Love Language is Acts of Service this is solid gold. I have personally sewn a bobble back on a hat, a JoJo bow onto a shoe, and a hole in pillow, while I was subbing. It shows kids that you care and that problems are solvable if you have the right tools.

6. Toy Dinosaur

This one is weird and yes, you heard me right. A toy dinosaur or some other sensory like toy is great to have in your bag. I have a toy dinosaur that was my son’s in my bag. Dinosaurs can make connections with lots of different kids. One boy liked the way the back was bumpy. Another just loved dinosaurs. Both kids were able to make a connection because it was something special and unexpected.

7. Stuff just for You

This is the stuff that is like what would be in your purse. I don’t have a purse so this is the stuff that would be in my desk, but since I don’t have a desk it is in my Magic Teacher Bag. The things I like to have are lip balm, lotion (here is my favorite), hand sanitizer, tissues, sticky notes, gel pens, ibuprofen, and an extra phone charger. Whatever you like to have with you for a ‘just in case’ time is what you need.

8. Breakaway ID Badge/Lanyard

Definitely opt for a breakaway lanyard. I also made a name badge for myself because it made it easier (like in Kindergarten) to just flip my name badge over and have it say Hello my name is…Mrs. E.

9. Sunglasses

These are a must-have for recess duty or when the fluorescent lights are giving you a headache. I do not have the fanciest sunglasses because I lose them or the students break them. I also keep them in a glasses case with spray and a glasses cleaner. Sometimes it is also helpful when a student needs their glasses cleaned.

10. Chocolate

I don’t think I need to say anymore. This is the of ultimate substitute teacher bag essentials.

11. Bluetooth Speaker

When you are going into many classrooms, let’s just say it, technology does not always work. Having your own Bluetooth speaker can solve some of these problems. Just make sure it stays charged and you have it hooked up to your phone so it makes the transition slick.

12. Time filler Game

Something that you are going to need is a quick time filler. Books are my go to but I also have a quick game that does not need much set up. A deck of cards that you use for a quick brain break or I like 30 Second Mysteries, there are quick logic puzzles that work for most ages.

13. Clipboard

This is an essential item that can keep track of your lesson plans all in one place. Being in a new room all the time makes it difficult to know where you left your stuff. I also put my name on the back for students who do not remember my name (it happens more than you’d think).

14. Fix it Glue

Super glue is always handy, it even works good for a broken nail.

Sports whistle with apple and sunglasses.

15. Sports whistle

I really don’t like to use a whistle indoors because it can get pretty loud, but it is great for recess especially if the students don’t know your voice. It just cuts down on the behaviors and wasted time if the students can hear to get in line after recess quickly. I like a metal sports whistle, plastic just is not as loud.

16. Coffee

Last but definitely not least is a drink, it does not have to be coffee but in an elementary classroom you might need an extra boost of energy. Spill proof is the way to go.

I hope this was a helpful list. Maybe there were some things that surprised you, or maybe they are just a good reminder. Either way let me know what you think of the list. Here they are again in order.

1. Cute Useful Tote Bag