This is my first year of teaching physics and I can’t think of generic substitute plans for this class. Can you suggest some generic/emergency plans that could help me? 
– E., Michigan

One of the hardest things is to wake up knowing you can’t make it to work and you’re now scrambling to provide something for your substitute. Mary Bigelow recently posted an excellent blog post (goo.gl/7ctWKe) on preparing for substitutes. Since your question is specific to physics, I can add a little to her advice.

• I advise against generic activities to “just keep students busy.” Concentrate on moving your lessons ahead.
• The Physics Classroom (www.physicsclassroom.com) has free downloadable worksheets along with online tutorials and quizzes that can address almost anything you’re teaching in physics (although I find them a little short on magnetism).
• The National Science Digital Library goo.gl/wXV3hE has a searchable library of lessons, activities, simulations and more.
• The National Science Foundation (NSF) has an incredible number of videos on all subjects:
  – Multimedia library: goo.gl/aqv2pA
  – NSF YouTube Channel: goo.gl/WZPLmF
  – Science 360 videos: goo.gl/hsRAh3

When showing videos, the students shouldn’t see them as a break from learning, particularly when there is a substitute teacher. You should always have some form of follow up or active component. An online search for graphic organizers to respond to videos will give you lots to choose from. Keep these on file.

Hope this helps.