Supply teaching kit list- suggestions needed, please.

[DrSeuss]

Due to start supply two weeks today.
So far, my list reads
DBS
Diary
'Phone
Pens/pencils/rulers/rubbers/pencil sharpeners
Stickers
Board pens/chalk/board rubber
Small rewards eg glittery pencils/shaped rubbers/lollies if school permits
Red pens
Highlighters for highlighting corrections needed
Review sheet (an idea from TES, detailing work covered, anyone disciplined or who tried really hard. You leave it for the class teacher.)
Any other suggestions or tips welcome.

[manyhands]

Flask, a set of good maps for finding school or better still a SAT NAV. One thing that really worked for me was to google the school the night before so you know if it's a church school etc and are a bit prepared. Follow the school behaviour policy etc and marking codes well, they will be displayed. If you are experienced and get a reputation for being able to cope with more challenging classes, you'll have work galore, good luck, I loved supply

[defineme]

Fail safe activities for when the work has disappeared/finished in half the time?

[defineme]

sachets of coffee/tea bags and a mug

[yellowvan]

Don't get into rewards and stickers, it will cost you a fortune, and can cause probs if its not school policy. I also used to spend loads on pencils and pens to 'lend', but it got so expensive as i never got them back, so i don't bother now.
I would second a sat nav and some pics on a powerpoint or even black and white line drawings to stimulate writing if you've been left no planning;
a selection of carpet games, your own teabags and mug, but most of all, a rhino hide- supply can be brutal. (I'm a veteran of 10 years).

[NCFTTB]

I loved supply too! Sat nav essential plus a memory stick with lesson plans and resources on it incase they don't leave you any or enough work. Stories and stickers. A flask, some tea bags, a bottle of water and some snacks. It's easier to take your own lunch too. A notebook where you can write notes on each school's routine plus names of key people etc to refer to when you get rebooked.

Top tips - leave the classroom tidy and write a friendly, positive feedback note. Good luck!

[Ohwhatfuckeryisthis]

Chalk? Few schools use it, board markers more the thing. Coffee, mug etc. bring lunch in case you can't get anything there. Avoid stickers and rewards.(many schools have specific types of written feedback) Doubt if you will be asked to mark unless on long term, so might not need red pens.(although cheap multi coloured ones are useful) black fine liners-very popular with the poster makers.
Top tip-find out who the hod is if you are in a specific subject,see if they will be about for support. Get there early and don't get in the cover administrators way first thing when they are tearing their hair out!

[sashh]

If you do supply pens/pencils etc (sometimes easier because you are the cover and they will claim they have nothing) lend them in exchange for something, I usually choose a mobile phone or student ID if they have them.

No 11 - 18 year old will forget their phone.

A ring binder and if you can get them beforehand (from the web page) the behaviour policy and other policies such as H and S and child protection.

[zummurzet]

Normal expectation is that you'll mark everything...
Have a variety of coloured pens, as different schools have different policies. V rarely will red be allowed! Green, blue, purple - more likely. Other things useful...

• whistle - you will be doing playground duty ;)
• post-it notes, I used to add extra info to marking, for the teacher to see, not a comment for the child IYSWIM
• if you're doing Primary, I always had a few storybooks in my bag, ones that I loved, and could extend to fill a days teaching with related activities if no planning left (tho this v v rarely happens).
• white A4 paper
• TAs are your friend. The class TA knows everything. A helpful one is worth their weight in gold to a supply teacher. Be extra courteous to them.

Good luck - it's scary to begin with, but can be a fantastic experience.

[Goblinchild]

Depending on where you are, some of the city schools I teach in have no carpark, so it's onstreet parking and pay meter. So I now have a stash of pound coins, just in case.
Memory stick, it's handy to have some powerpoints for work and if the board is playing up, a PP doesn't require it to be interactive.
Lots of short and medium-length educational timefillers, not just a wordsearch.
One of those useful biros that have 4 colour choices, that way if you are supposed to mark in green or blue, you are ready.
Water bottle for you in case you don't make it to the staffroom.
Absolutely mark work unless told not to, leave the class tidy and a note for the teacher.
I love being a supply teacher.

[storynanny]

One of those hot drink cup things withl a lid as most schools i go to on supply insist on them now especially if you want to take a drink out of the staffroom.
Always thank the lsa.
Dont commit yourself to regular times in a school until you are sure you like going there. I made the mistake of agreeing too quickly to a morning a week in one school for 2 terms and by week 2 bitterly regretted it and came to dread it.

[Lara2]

Yes, please leave the classroom tidy! I recently had a supply in my room (I'd spent 2 days at half term tidying and making it gorgeous) who moved stuff around the room and generally trashed it. I came back after 2 days out training and was less than impressed to put it mildly! She upset my Early Years Assistant by dismissing her and ignoring totally what she said re difficult children, routines etc. so please be nice to the adults in the room - find out what they're job is called LSA, TA or EYA, it shows respect for their role.

[Lara2]

Their - not they're

[Misssss]

I always googled the school before I go and look at the website. I find out why topic the class is doing and then print out some topic related work for the class as a filler. Most schools love it and I was always asked back.