Sometimes school days just don’t go according to plan. Whether you’re facing an unexpected substitute, students finishing early, a schedule change, or a Wi-Fi or technology outage, having a few no prep emergency sub plan activities ready can make the day much easier. These simple, screen-free activities use basic supplies already found in most elementary classrooms, with no printing or special materials needed. And they aren’t just for substitute teachers. Many of these literacy, math, movement, listening, and following directions activities work well for early finishers, no-technology days, and even school-based occupational therapy sessions.

If you’re looking for practical ideas, this post shares simple ways to set up a writing center along with more than 15 inexpensive tools that can make a big difference. And if you’d like to dive deeper, my on-demand course, Alternative Pencils for Literacy: Helping Every Child Become a Writer, walks you through creating an alternative pencil writing center from start to finish with classroom setups, real student examples, “generate text” IEP goals, printable planning guides, and strategies you can begin using right away.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year to bring learning off the worksheet and into hands-on play. The colors, textures, and natural materials make it easy to create activities that children genuinely enjoy while quietly building the foundational skills they’ll use for writing, reading, math, and everyday independence.
The best part? You don’t need expensive materials. A few leaves, pinecones, acorns, mini pumpkins, and simple art supplies can provide hours of meaningful learning.

A well-designed writing center can do more than store pencils and paper. It can give every student a meaningful way to communicate. In this post, I’ll show you how to create an Alternative Pencil Writing Center using simple, inexpensive tools like label makers, magnet letters, yard sale stickers, address labels, locker magnets, and more. You’ll also discover easy writing activities, organization tips, and practical ideas to help struggling writers, reluctant writers, and students with fine motor challenges become confident, successful writers.

For years, people have asked what I use to carry all of my occupational therapy supplies from classroom to classroom. After trying countless bags and organizers, I’ve found the combination that works best for me: a well-stocked therapy cart that stays at school and Hulken bags for transporting everything else. Along the way, my therapy cart became more than just a way to organize supplies. It even created one of my favorite therapy memories with a second-grade student who looked forward to helping me push it between schools each day, reminding me that sometimes the best therapy moments happen in the hallway, not just during a session.