Spin the Wheel
SUBSTITUTE FOLDER · PERIOD 3

A classroom routine for the day you are not there

Leave It Spinning

The classroom decision tool a substitute can run cold—because the decision was made before you left the building.

Field notes for teachersSet-up time: 4 minutes

very substitute plan has the same pressure point: the moment a new adult has to decide who goes first, which group answers next, or who reads aloud. A prepared spinner moves that judgment call out of the moment and makes the routine visible to everyone in the room.

The goal is not to make the day random. It is to make a fair classroom routine easy to run. Set up the choices while you know the names, groups, and expectations; then leave a clear wheel link alongside your lesson plan.

Why “just leave instructions” can fail

A written note can tell a substitute to choose students fairly, but it cannot carry every grouping rule, roster change, or classroom norm. A visible wheel can. It gives the substitute one simple action and gives students a process they can see.

READY FOR THE FOLDER

Build a sub-day spinner before you leave

Start with names or table groups, remove anyone who will be absent, and share the link with the plan. The wheel remains editable if the day changes.

Open the Wheel of Names

Leave the decision behind, not the context

  1. Set the list. Add student names, group labels, prompts, or class jobs while the classroom context is fresh.
  2. Write one sentence. Tell the substitute exactly when to spin: “Use this for the next reader,” or “Spin for the first group to share.”
  3. Keep the link in the plan. The wheel opens in the browser and stays editable if a student is absent or a routine changes.

A fair choice lives outside memory

When the process is visible, the substitute can focus on teaching instead of managing a roster from memory. Students can see the selection resolve on screen, which makes transitions calmer and the routine easier to explain.

CLASSROOM TOOLKIT

Related classroom wheels

Wheel of Names

Choose a student, reader, partner, or discussion turn from a ready-made class list.

Picker Wheel

Build a simple decision wheel for routines, groups, prompts, or classroom jobs.

Prize Wheel Spinner

Use a transparent reward wheel for class incentives and positive reinforcement.

TEACHER FAQ

A smoother handoff for substitute days

Can a substitute teacher use the wheel without an account?

Yes. Open the prepared wheel link, review the visible choices, and spin. The substitute does not need to memorize a roster or configure a separate tool.

What should I put on a classroom spinner?

Use names, table groups, discussion prompts, jobs, participation turns, or a simple order of operations for the day. Keep each choice visible and easy to explain.

Can I update the class wheel after I make it?

Yes. Every wheel remains editable. Add a new student, hide an absent student, or reset the wheel before sharing the prepared link with a substitute.