Start with where you stopped in the plan: Kelly Education and a district substitute guide both put it near the top, because it is the first thing the teacher needs. This list is for substitute teachers writing the end-of-day note, and for teachers who want to tell their subs what to include. It draws on district substitute handbooks, Kelly Education, Sub Teacher Source and We Are Teachers.
| # | Name | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Where you stopped in the plan | Best for the first line of every note | Free |
| 2 | Changes you made to the plan, and why | Best for a day that did not go to plan | Free |
| 3 | Who was absent | Best for helping the teacher plan makeup work | Free |
| 4 | Who helped and what went well | Best for ending the day on a kind note | Free |
| 5 | Behavior events, told as events | Best for a fair record the teacher can act on | Free |
| 6 | Where students got stuck | Best for helping the teacher reteach | Free |
| 7 | Interruptions and schedule changes | Best for a day with drills or assemblies | Free |
| 8 | Messages from parents | Best for passing on a parent's question | Free |
| 9 | Notices from the office | Best for making sure office news reaches the teacher | Free |
| 10 | A short thank-you | Best for a sub who hopes to be asked back | Free |
Kelly Education says the note should tell the teacher how far the class got in the lesson plan, so they can pick up from there. Jordan School District's substitute guide also asks for detailed notes on what you were able to finish. Name the page, the problem number or the last activity.
Watch for If you only got through part of the plan, say so plainly; the teacher needs the true stopping point.
What we read: the source for this entry.
Jordan School District's substitute guide asks subs to follow the teacher's plan and explain any change from it in the notes. A fire drill, a missing copy or a lesson that ran long are all worth one sentence.
Watch for Keep it to the facts of what changed; the note is not the place to judge the plan.
What we read: the source for this entry.
Kelly Education lists the children who were absent as a part of the note, so the teacher knows who needs makeup work. The teacher could look it up, but the note saves them a step.
Watch for Follow the school's own attendance system as well; the note does not replace it.
What we read: the source for this entry.
A We Are Teachers roundup of tips from substitutes includes naming the students who were a big help. Jordan School District also asks subs to note positive things. Teachers like to thank those children the next day.
Watch for Name specific helpful acts, such as passing out papers, rather than general praise.
What we read: the source for this entry.
Kelly Education says to report behavior, good and bad, and to stay neutral about problems: what happened, how you responded and how it ended. That lets the teacher follow up with the child. Write the event, not a label for the child.
Watch for Keep names to what the teacher needs, and tell the office right away about anything serious instead of waiting for the note.
What we read: the source for this entry.
Sub Teacher Source's daily checklist asks subs to say how the lesson went, including whether students finished or needed more time. Kelly Education also suggests noting topics that confused the class.
Watch for Say what was hard, such as a step in a problem, not which child seemed slow.
What we read: the source for this entry.
Kelly Education suggests telling the teacher about schedule changes that affected progress, such as an assembly or a fire drill. It explains why the class got less done.
Watch for Just list what happened and when; the office already has the details.
What we read: the source for this entry.
San Ramon Valley Unified's substitute handbook tells subs not to discuss problems with a student's parents, to ask the parent to talk with the teacher, and to leave the teacher a note about the parent's concerns. Write who called or came and what they asked.
Watch for If it sounds urgent, the handbook says to check with the teacher in charge or the principal first.
What we read: the source for this entry.
San Ramon Valley Unified's handbook asks subs to keep copies of notices and bulletins they receive and leave them where the teacher will find them. Mention them in the note so nothing gets lost under the papers.
Watch for Some notices go home with children; check whether each one was handed out.
What we read: the source for this entry.
Kelly Education suggests ending the note with thanks for the chance to teach the class and saying you would be glad to come back. The San Ramon Valley handbook adds that the note should be a short summary of the day.
Watch for Keep it to a line or two; the teacher will read the facts first.
What we read: the source for this entry.
We weighed these, most important first. The order is our judgement against them, not a score or a vote, and a different teacher could reasonably order it differently.
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Last checked October 30, 2026. Something out of date or missing? Tell us and we will fix it; makers can send corrections, never money.