Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes is also a favorite with young students. The songs all have motions and are very lively and easy to learn. You might ask students to teach you their favorite song. Kids of all ages like games and Games That Teach or Word Games and Other Educational Games can create a win-win situation for the substitute and the students. Hangman is fun, but be sure to establish the rules before you start to play.
Questions is a game that older students can enjoy.
Get a book from the classroom shelves, another teacher, the school library, or your bag of tricks. Sometimes a simple art project, such as drawing a picture of a favorite part of a story or a different ending, can add interest to a reading activity and stretch the time. Students might also write a sound script for a poem by supplying different sounds for each stanza or mood. Most students today have writing journals. You might also let students write about anything they want.