Social Story: When There Is a Substitute Teacher

A first-person social story about having a substitute teacher for the day, with a coping step the student can choose.

Use with a student — free
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Cueing ladder

Start at the top. Add support one step at a time.

  1. Step 1Read togetherRead the page aloud together, or let the student read while you follow along.Log as correct
  2. Step 2Picture walkPoint to a photo or school diagram while you read the page about having a substitute teacher for the day.Log as cued
  3. Step 3Wh- questionAsk one concrete question from the page and wait for an answer.Log as cued
  4. Step 4Role-playAct out the situation and coach the strategy: ask a clarifying question politely.Log as cued

Adjust it

Easier

Practise only the coping page with a visual choice board before reading the full story.

Harder

Add a surprise change and rehearse asking an adult what happens next.

Matching IEP goal

Given a social story about having a substitute teacher for the day, Student will name one strategy and use it in structured role-play in 4 of 5 opportunities across 3 consecutive sessions, given no more than a visual prompt.

Send it home through the parent portal →

What's in this activity

  • Most days my regular teacher leads our class. Sometimes a substitute teacher comes instead.
  • A substitute follows the same school rules and the lesson plans left for our room.
  • A new adult can feel different. Many students feel unsure when the schedule changes.
  • The substitute may use a different voice or name, but they are there to help us learn.
  • I can listen during morning meeting, look at the board, and raise my hand if I am confused.
  • If I need help I can say, "Can you show me where that is on the schedule?"
  • By the end of the day I can tell my regular teacher one thing that went well with the substitute.

Use this board with your caseload

With a free account, every correct, cued and incorrect mark is saved to the student and scored against their IEP goal, with the data written up for you. Assign it as home practice through the parent portal.

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