Writing high school math sub plans can feel harder and take longer than planning your actual lessons. You need something meaningful enough to keep students engaged, but structured enough that it runs smoothly without you there to guide it. Sub plans don’t have to be busywork or a throwaway day. With the right approach, they can reinforce problem-solving skills, encourage independence, and even spark a little curiosity. Whether you’re planning ahead or throwing something together last minute, having a go-to set of ideas can make the process a whole lot less stressful.
Digital Mystery Picture Activities
Digital activities are a great way to keep students working while you are out. Not only are they more engaging than a regular worksheet, but they are self checking. Every time a student answers a problem correctly, the answer box will light up green and pieces of the mystery picture will appear. I love leaving fraction activities like this with a sub because they are relatively simple and students always need extra practice with fraction operations.
Digital Task Cards
These are similar to regular task cards but with a twist! Students will select a card number from the drop down menu and answer the corresponding problem. Once they have solved the problem correctly, the answer box will light up and they can move onto the next task card.
Digital or Printable Maze
Mazes are a simple gamified version of a worksheet, but just the small change of connecting the maze makes them more engaging. Students start at the first question and the answer they get should lead them to the next question. This makes checking their work so simple that the sub could do it and you have a printable worksheet for your students to turn in at the end of the period. I would definitely recommend leaving a worksheet for students to show their work. This forces them to have some accountability and not be able to copy answers as easily.
Card Sorts
Card sorts are always my go to for sub plans. If you leave the cutting to your students, they can take up a lot of time and keep your students busy for the whole period. They also encourage collaboration if you want your students to work in groups and have a tangible final product to hand in at the end of the period.
Graphing Activity
It is always good to have students brush up on their graphing skills. This connect the dot activity is perfect for Algebra 1 students to refresh their memory on the coordinate plane. Get it for free with this sample of my Algebra 1 Summer Prep Packet.
Real World Applications
Real world activities are a great opportunity for your students to work together and problem solve while you are away. Taking the teacher out of the equation gives students a chance to really use their resources and each other to solve more complex word problems and topics.
Parallel and Perpendicular Lines Activity
This parallel and perpendicular lines activity is one of students’ favorite algebra 1 projects. They are tasked with building a map of their favorite fictional city and must recreate it using parallel and perpendicular lines.
Final Thoughts About These High School Math Sub Plans
At the end of the day, strong high school math sub plans should have a balance between structure and simplicity. You want students thinking, working, and staying accountable without relying on constant teacher support. A little intentional planning now can save you a lot of stress later and ensure your students keep learning, no matter who’s at the front of the room.