Students must understand that taking other student's possessions will not be tolerated. I would ask the class if anyone accidentally took another students pencil case to please return it. We all make mistakes. However, if it is not returned then the administration would have to come in and conduct the search and find the student who took something that was not theirs to take.

I find that students often misplace their belongings and they may think they brought it to class, but accidentally left it in their locker. I would first make sure the student had it with them before any accusations are made. If they are unsure, I would send that student to their locker and their previous classrooms to ensure they didn't leave it there. If they still cannot find it, I would have the students check their belongings to make sure they didn't accidentally pick it up thinking it was theirs. If it is still nowhere to be found, students will be searched and a lecture will be given explaining how habitual theft starts with small things and escalates into larger things. If it is still not located, I would supply the student with new pencils and a new pencil case.

Giving students the opportunity to return the pencil case is important. Let them know that it was wrong to take it in the first place and they can return it to you privately if that would be better. If this still does not work then school policy will need to be enforced. But it is important to make sure that certain student did not just misplace the pencil case.

It is always important to establish and enforce classroom rules and consequences for breaking the rules. Show the students that stealing is against the rules, and model the correct behavior of what you expect from your students.

This is a time where the teacher addresses the consequences and principles of another person's property being taken. This will give an insight of what's right and wrong, and hopefully prevent further occurrences.

When the students are not in the room I would look in desks to see if anyone did indeed steal the pencil case. If i find it in a students' desk I would then have a talk with that student about whose property the pencil case is. If it is not theirs why did they have it in their desk? After talking to that student and dealing with that situation I would have a class meeting to discuss the importance of personal belongings. You do not want to make any one student feel singled out or upset however, stealing is an issue that should be addressed at some point in the classroom. Stealing other student's property is a form of bullying and not in line with class rules. Allow student to act out and discuss different situations where they show respect for a classmate.

Offer the students the easy way out first, (anonymously) place the pencil case on the teachers desk or you will take bigger consequences.

Show the students that stealing is against the rules, and model the correct behavior of what you expect from your students.

It seems like this is a good opportunity to have a class discussion about stealing. Let the whole class know that if they are in need of supplies come to the teacher first, and the teacher will try to obtain supplies for the student. Stealing should never be a solution. I would also let the class know that if the pencil box is on the teachers desk by the end of the day no questions will be asked and no one will get in trouble.

I would ask the students to go through their desks and backpacks and look around the room if they could help our fellow classmate to find their pencil case and let the students know that if they accidentally took it that they will not be in trouble that sometimes that happens.

I would give the child the opportunity to give it back anonymously for they may have accidentally taken it and been afraid to give it back in fear that they will get in trouble. The child can set it outside your door before or after school if they'd like!

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do even if you find the pencil case in someone else’s desk. This just happened in my internship last semester. It was in a third grade classroom and a little girl ended up misplacing her bath and body works cranberry scented hand sanitizer. She was very upset about this because to her it was a present from her mom. She then noticed it in another classmates desk and started freaking out. We were not able to take it from the other classmate because myself or my cooperating teacher did not actually witness the student take it and place it in their desk. We had no way to prove that she did not come to school with that hand sanitizer. Both of us had a pretty strong feeling that it belonged to the student who lost it, but it was something that we could not prove without a shadow of a doubt. The little girl started crying, and was visibly upset. I think the other student felt bad and said “Oh, well you can have it. I have another one at home.” I think the guilty conscience is what made her give it back, but had she not done that we would not have been able to take it away from her unless there was a name on it or something that proved it was hers.

I would have a stern discussion with the class about expectations and the rules. Also discuss the consequences and disciplinary actions that will be taken. I would also bring up this situation but use as an example and do not name students aloud.

I would have a stern discussion with the class about expectations and the rules. Also discuss the consequences and disciplinary actions that will be taken. I would also bring up this situation but use as an example and do not name students aloud.

Explain to the students stealing is not tolerated, and that whoever took it needs to return it by the end of the day or there will be consequences for the whole class. If the person who took it returns it before class ends there will be no punishment for him/her. I would explain to my student all about stealing and how it is not right at all.

I would give a reward for the recovery of the pencil case. No questions asked, just a recovery.