Q. I know that in the Invisibles book you offer lots of ideas for sub days. Could you summarize some of them here?
A. Here are some:
(1) Give the students translation tests of previous readings from the star. Doing this serves two purposes: (a) you get you a significant grade, and (b) the sub is happy because the kids can’t talk because it takes a LONG time to translate even one passage from one story.
(2) Give your students class time to draw individually created images. If you do so, give them at least the second half of the period. Ten minutes is not enough. An entire (non-block) class period is not too much time. It gives the kids time to enjoy each other while at the same time producing strong individually (or in pairs) images for future classes. It’s not just that the kids in Invisibles classrooms need to know the strict requirements for good drawings for class, they also need some time to produce them, and sub days are perfect for that. Just make sure that the sub knows what your requirements are in that regard (see page
(3) Have your students watch a videoclip from a finished story and summarize it in English for a grade.
(4) Give grammar worksheets. This would require you, in the class period before the day you will be absent, to teach the material. Why is this a good use of time? It keeps you from having them do worksheets when you are in class. Remember that whenever people see grammar happening in a language classroom, they think that you are doing your job. (That is how deep the ignorance goes, fully up to our ankles if not our knees in ignorance.)