Alexander Great Sub Guide Substitute Teacher Lesson Guide
History Lesson • Alexander the Great • 15:1 Self-Contained Setting
50-Minute Block
Slides & Margin Notes
Classroom Setting
15:1 Ratio . Students thrive with visual slide cues, physical gestures, and predictable routines.
Visual Deck + Notes
Project Visual Slides . Students fill in Margin Notes right beside each paragraph as you read.
Para Staff Role
Circulate during slide transitions to help students point to and circle their margin check answers.
50-Minute Lesson Pacing
Slides & Margin Notes Workflow
Time
Phase & Materials
Substitute & Student Action
0 - 5 min
Hook & Slide 1
Display Title Slide. Ask: "What makes someone GREAT?" Distribute Student Packet.
5 - 25 min
Slides 2–5 + Margin Notes
Read the 4-part script aloud. Advance slides. After each part, pause for students to complete margin check.
25 - 30 min
Slide 6: Story Recap
Review 4 clues together (Greece, Shadow, Sun, Brave). Students double-check all 4 margin answers.
30 - 45 min
Slide 7: Trace & Shield
Students turn to Page 2: Trace BRAVE, KING, GREAT and draw inside their Brave Shield.
45 - 50 min
Star Check & Wrap-Up
Students color self-check stars. Sub / Para signs off with a star stamp or high-five.
Key Supports for this 15:1 Room
• Choral Response & Gestures: Match slide prompts! Flex muscles on Section 1, gallop hands on Section 2, whisper gently on Section 3, cheer "HE WAS GREAT!" on Section 4.
• Synchronized Margin Notes: Do not read ahead until everyone has circled their margin check. Use verbal count: "Find box 1... circle Greece!"
• Multi-Sensory Tracing: Students needing motor support may trace with their finger first, then a thick crayon.
Para Educator on Duty:
Attention Signal: "Hands on top, that means STOP!"
Page 1 of 2
Word-for-Word Read-Aloud Script
Read with enthusiastic tone. Pair with Visual Slides and student margin notes.
Teacher Script
Part 1: The Boy in Greece Slide 2
[SAY]: "Eyes up here, team! Long, long ago, across the big sea in Greece, there lived a boy named Alexander. He loved to run, he loved to read, and he dreamed of doing BIG things!"
[ACTION]: "Show big muscles! Say: Al-ex-an-der! "
Margin Check: Circle GREECE in Box 1
Part 2: The Wild Horse Mystery Slide 3
[SAY]: "One day, a huge black horse arrived. No soldier could ride him. The horse bucked and jumped! But Alexander looked very closely. He saw something funny: the horse was scared of its own dark shadow on the dirt!"
[ACTION]: "Gallop hands on your desk: clop, clop, clop! "
Margin Check: Circle SHADOW in Box 2
Part 3: Turning Toward the Sun Slide 4
[SAY]: "Alexander spoke softly. He gently turned the horse toward the bright warm sun so its shadow fell behind. Hop! Alexander jumped on, and they ran like the wind!"
[ACTION]: "Whisper softly: 'Shh... good horse...' "
Margin Check: Circle SUN in Box 3
Part 4: Why "The Great"? Slide 5
[SAY]: "When Alexander grew up, he wore a gold crown and became king. People called him 'The Great' because he was super brave, solved big problems, and never gave up!"
[CALL & RESPONSE]: "Teacher: He was brave! Class: HE WAS GREAT! "
Margin Check: Circle BRAVE in Box 4
Slide Deck Transitions: Show Slide 6 (Story Clues Review) so students check that all four margin boxes are circled. Then project Slide 7 (Explorer Mission) while students trace words and draw their shield on Page 2.
Substitute Note: Keep packets clipped together; leave completed sets on teacher desk. Page 2 of 2
Alexander Great Student Packet Alexander the Great
Read-Along Story & Margin Notes
Name:
Date:
Listen as your teacher reads each story box. Complete the margin note check on the right!
Slide 1 – 4
1 The Boy in Ancient Greece
Long, long ago, across the big sea in Greece , there lived a boy named Alexander. He loved to run, read, and dreamed of doing big things!
Gesture: Show big muscles!
Margin Note 1: Where lived?
Circle where Alexander lived:
Greece
Ocean
2 The Wild Horse Mystery
A huge black horse arrived. No soldier could ride him. The horse jumped and bucked! Alexander looked closely: the horse was afraid of its own dark shadow .
Gesture: Tap hands like galloping hooves!
Margin Note 2: Fear?
What scared the horse?
Bell
Shadow
3 Smart & Gentle
Alexander spoke softly. He gently turned the horse toward the bright warm sun . The shadow fell behind. Hop! Alexander jumped on and rode like the wind!
Gesture: Whisper kindly, "Good horse..."
Margin Note 3: Direction?
Where did he turn the horse?
Sun
Rain
4 Why "The Great"?
When Alexander grew up, he became king. People called him "The Great" because he was brave , solved big problems, and never gave up!
Call & Response: "He was brave! He was GREAT!"
Margin Note 4: Trait?
Why was he called great?
Brave
Sleepy
Finished all 4 margin notes? Turn to Page 2 for your Explorer Shield!
Next: Trace & Draw →
Alexander the Great • Read-Aloud Companion Page 1 of 2
Word Trace & Brave Shield
Trace key story words and design your leader badge!
Name:
Part B: Trace the Big Story Words
Alexander was:
B R A V E
He ruled as a:
K I N G
People said he was:
G R E A T
Part C: Design Alexander's Shield
Draw inside the box
Alexander solved problems and helped his team. Draw something that makes YOU brave or draw Alexander riding toward the sun!
Word Helpers: Brave Gentle Horse Sun Crown
I tried my best and listened today!
Color your stars:
Alexander Great Answer Key Teacher & Sub Answer Key
Alexander the Great • 15:1 Self-Contained Class • Quick-Glance Solutions
For Sub & Paras
Packet Page 1 & 2
Page 1: Margin Note Check Solutions
Pairs with Slides 2–5
Note 1 Slide 2
Greece
Lived across the sea in Greece. (Option: Greece, not Ocean).
Note 2 Slide 3
Shadow
Horse was afraid of its dark shadow. (Option: Shadow, not Bell).
Note 3 Slide 4
Sun
Turned the horse toward the warm sun. (Option: Sun, not Rain).
Note 4 Slide 5
Brave
Called "The Great" because he was brave. (Option: Brave, not Sleepy).
Part B: Word Tracing Guidance
Target words: BRAVE , KING , GREAT .
1 Level 1 (Independent): Student traces letters with pencil or crayon.
2 Level 2 (Gestural): Point to starting dot of each letter: "Start at top."
3 Level 3 (Hand-over-hand): Gentle hand guidance for grip and motor control.
Part C: Shield Drawing Criteria
Accept any effort showing courage, leadership, or story elements:
✓ Drawing Alexander, the black horse, or the sun.
✓ Drawing a crown, shield, sword, or gold star.
✓ Drawing oneself helping a classmate or being brave.
Staff Scribe Tip: If student cannot draw, write their dictated words (e.g., "I am brave when I try" ) inside the box.
Substitute Notes for Permanent Teacher
Leave on teacher's desk after lesson
Substitute Name:
Overall Room Engagement:
Great Good Needed Rest
Student Highlights / Needs Follow-Up:
Alexander the Great Sub Packet • 15:1 Program Staff Reference Page
Alexander Great Visual Slides Interactive Read-Aloud
History Explorer Lesson
Alexander The Great
A story about a curious boy, a frightened horse, and how thinking smart makes a true leader.
Listen, Look, and Note: Watch each slide and fill your margin check!
Part 1 to Part 4
1
Read-Aloud • Section 1
The Boy in Ancient Greece
Margin Note 1
Across the Big Blue Sea
Long, long ago in Greece , there lived a young boy named Alexander .
He loved to run, read big books, and dreamed of doing great things!
Class Action:
Show big strong muscles and say his name: "Al-ex-an-der!"
Your Margin Note Check:
Circle GREECE next to paragraph 1 on your paper!
Alexander The Great • Read-Aloud Companion 1 of 4 Story Parts
2
Read-Aloud • Section 2
The Wild Horse & The Mystery
Margin Note 2
A Giant Black Horse Arrives
The horse was wild! It jumped and bucked. Soldiers were afraid.
Alexander looked closely:
The horse wasn't angry—it was terrified of its own dark shadow dancing on the dirt!
Class Action:
Gently tap both hands like galloping hooves: clop, clop, clop!
Your Margin Note Check:
What scared the horse? Circle the SHADOW in box 2!
Alexander The Great • Read-Aloud Companion 2 of 4 Story Parts
3
Read-Aloud • Section 3
Turning Toward the Sun
Margin Note 3
Gentle, Patient, and Smart
Alexander did not yell or fight. He spoke in a calm, kind voice .
He gently turned the horse to face the warm bright sun . The shadow fell behind where the horse could not see it!
Class Action:
Whisper in your softest, gentlest voice: "Shh... good horse..."
Your Margin Note Check:
What did Alexander turn the horse toward? Circle the SUN !
Alexander The Great • Read-Aloud Companion 3 of 4 Story Parts
4
Read-Aloud • Section 4
Why Was He Called "The Great"?
Margin Note 4
