Creating substitute plans can be more work than it’s worth. It can be especially complicated when students aren’t allowed on computers while you’re out. Here’s one lesson plan that will make your life easier and impact your students later on.
A special shoutout to Memorial High School adviser Holly Hartman for sharing this idea with us. This lesson plan, dubbed the Future Me Letter, is a fun and meaningful option for a sub day.
The idea is simple: have students write a letter to their future selves. Seal the letters in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail the letters after graduation.
The activity will keep students busy while you’re out, but won’t be busy work. It’s a chance for a students to be introspective, to reflect on their current lives and speculate what the future holds.
The Future Me Letter is an assignment Memorial High School adviser Holly Hartman does with her Journalism I students every year. It can also be used with other classes, including when you need substitute plans. Hartman has her students address the envelopes and place their graduation year on the back.
The assignment includes a long list of questions for students to answer. The questions range from current interests, classes and relationships to future goals and plans. They also ask students’ thoughts on pop culture and current events. One final question encourages predictions about the future.
Hartman stresses to students that no one but the student will see their letter. She only glances at the letter to verify it was written for a completion grade. Advisers using this idea for a sub day could use the sealed envelopes for a grade, have students wait to finish the letter till the adviser returns, or turn in unsealed letters to the substitute.
After completing their letters, students write their addresses on the envelope and place their graduation year on the back on the envelope. The envelopes are sorted by graduation year and held until that time. After graduation, Hartman mails that batch of letters.
The lesson plan is one of Hartman’s favorites. She says every year, she receives emails or texts from former students after receiving their letter. For some, it’s been four years since they wrote the letter as freshmen. Many have forgotten all about it. But the letters brings laughs and thanks Hartman’s way.
Yearbook advisers often dread missing school because of substitute plans. But this is one worthwhile lesson plan that will make the day go smoothly.
