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Peabody TeachFor teachers and grown-ups

Kindergarten sub plans: writing

A kindergarten writing block for a substitute, 45 minutes: write the prompt on the board (today's is “Which is more fun, playing inside or playing outside? Tell why.”), 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 kindergarten ▸

The writing block

Writing

  1. Write this on the board: “Which is more fun, playing inside or playing outside? Tell why.”
  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: Parade march (45 sec). March in place with your knees up and your arms swinging, as if you are in a parade. Keep your feet on your own square of floor.

Subbing kindergarten

Kindergarten runs on routines more than lessons: the bathroom, snack, lining up, the carpet. Blocks are short, and the class knows how its day goes better than you do. Read to them rather than expecting them to read alone, and let them show you the routines.

  • Keep each part short: fifteen to twenty minutes of one thing, then change.
  • Ask the class to show you how they line up and how they ask for the bathroom, instead of teaching your own way.
  • Count heads at every door: out to recess, back in, to lunch and back.

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