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1st grade sub plans: writing

A 1st grade writing block for a substitute, 45 minutes: write the prompt on the board (today's is “Tell how to brush your teeth.”), give partners two minutes to talk, then students draw first and write a sentence or two about the picture. Volunteers read theirs aloud, and the papers go to the teacher.

Checked October 30, 2026. Made from Peabody Teach's own passages, worksheets and brain break cards.

Make the whole day at 1st grade ▸

The writing block

Writing

  1. Write this on the board: “Tell how to brush your teeth.”
  2. Give partners two minutes to tell each other their idea out loud before anyone writes.
  3. Students draw a picture first, then write one or two sentences about it. Sound words out together rather than spelling each one for them.
  4. Volunteers read theirs aloud at the end. Collect the papers for the teacher.

On the projector: Writing prompts by grade

Break: Count ten breaths (2 min, silent). Breathe normally and count each breath in your head, from one to ten. If your mind wanders, start again at one. That is part of it.

Subbing 1st grade

First graders can read short passages with help, write a sentence or two, and are glad to show a new adult what they know. The afternoon is harder than the morning, so the plan puts the reading and the math before lunch.

  • Read every passage aloud once before they read it themselves.
  • Answer questions out loud first, then write: a partner talk turns a blank page into a sentence.
  • Expect lots of “that's not how our teacher does it”. Thank them and ask them to show you.

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