I had subbed for years and very, very rarely did the kids just do their work. Usually, I walked around to make sure I was available if anyone needed help and/or to keep kids on task and give encouragement or a smile. If I was proactive in my stance with the kids, I generally had less problems. If there were taking a test or doing something they weren’t allowed help with–I would take a note pad and write notes…to the teacher reporting on her class’s activity/behavior, sometimes shopping lists or to-do lists for myself…always things that did not take my full attention so I could survey the class frequently. I saved my book for my “off” period or lunch if I found the other teachers not-so welcoming (usually they were great, but once in a while…it would be a solitary lunch).

Good luck!

Not allowed to read?? That seems odd. I always had a book with me as well as some crossword puzzles or sudokus. Depending on what class I was subbing for, I would sometimes go through the text book and see how much I remembered from that subject (usually not much). I would suggest asking another sub in your district or whoever said you couldn’t read, what they do. Good luck!

See if anyone needs any help. Walk around and see what they are doing. Check out the room, bring a coffee and read through the day plans.