Preparing Your Music Classroom Sub Tubs

As a teacher, “the show must go on,” even when you’re not feeling well or need to be out of the classroom. If we’ve learned nothing else over the last year, it’s the need to be able to be flexible, often in a moment’s notice.

With these “Sub Tub” ideas, you’ll be able to keep your students actively engaged in music making even when you aren't there. These resources can be used by any substitute teacher, even if they don't have musical training. Reproducible pages and no-prep activities make it easy for you to prepare materials for your absence.

Here are some ideas to get you started with creating your “Sub Tub” today!

The Music Substitute Sourcebook is an engaging, ready-to-use resource for music teachers or music substitutes. Available in two levels, K-3 and 4-8 , these quality, standards-based lesson plans and student activities have been developed to allow anyone to easily step into the role of "Music Teacher" and maintain the educational momentum of the class.

The fully reproducible lesson plans have been thoroughly field tested by substitutes with no musical training, and they have enthusiastically endorsed the easy-to-follow format and creative, fun-to-teach activities.

Music-Go-Round is overflowing with creative musical activities for elementary students, including 100 Puzzle Pages! Bring out the crayons for Color-By-Note coloring pages and sharpen the pencils for Word Wizard word searches. Includes Musical Mix-Ups, Colorful Beats, Music Note Spelling Bees, Puzzling Pitches, and more! Covering facts and concepts that are already part of your music curriculum, these attractive reproducible worksheets are perfect for bell work, simple assessments, extra credit exercises, homework assignments, quick lesson extensions, or ready-to-go substitute teacher plans.

Music Fun 101 includes all your favorite games and puzzles, from Alphagrams, Matching Puzzles, and Crosswords to Name That Tune, Musical Sudoku, Word Searches, Mazes, and more! 100% Reproducible. Recommended for grades three and up. Use as a supplement to a topic or unit, an extra credit exercise, or a homework assignment. Perfect activity for substitute teachers or an easy last-minute classroom time-filler. Includes answer keys.

Making the Grade is an excellent resource for music teachers and substitute music teachers of grades 3-6. Lesson plans specifically target each of the nine MENC National Standards for Music Education. Each standard is represented by a unit of creative lesson plans that incorporate folk, classical, and original music—55 lessons in all! Every lesson clearly details the materials needed, introduces the activity, explains concepts, and builds and reinforces students' musical skills. Reproducible student worksheets are included.

Music Quilt Squares compiles a range of music activities, including games on theory, identifying notes and fingerings on the piano and recorder, instrument families, and more! 100% reproducible. Recommended for students in grades kindergarten and up. A data CD is included that contains PDF files of each page.

Want some ideas for a digital Sub Tub instead?

We have all kinds of solutions to help meet your needs— interactive slides, downloadable classroom PDFs, articles with tips and advice, and FREE activities on our blog . Check back often as we are always updating!

Interactive Slides

• Sing-Along Songs for Fall and Winter
• Sing-Along Songs for Spring and Summer
• Accent on Composers, Volume 1
• The Women of Western Music

Downloadable Classroom PDF Books

For a complete list of Digital Teaching Resources, click here .