Middle School Tips 4 From Rae Gutschow, a seventh grade teacher at Valders Middle School in Valders, Wisconsin: ìWhen the flu hit hard and many students were absent, I wrote out my lesson plans as if a sub were going to be in the room - detailed. I then made copies and had one for each of the students who asked to have work sent home or I gave it to them when they returned. I also keep the last 5 days worth of assignments listed on the chalk board for those who forget to write it in their assignment notebooks or have been sick. I also include the date of the next test as soon as I think I know when it will be.î