A high school teacher I observed a few years ago gave out pencils freely to those who needed them, but he also demanded a shoe from each recipient, which he put in a box near his desk. Thus, he always got his pencils back at the end of each class.

I would establish a pencil box on the teacher's desk. Students must write down their names when they take a pencil. At the end of the day, the teacher can collect the pencils. You may also want to ask parents for supplies.

I think one way to solve this problem is to give a student a job as supply manager. This job would rotate on a weekly basis. If a student needs a pencil, they would go to the student supply manager for the pencil. The supplies would be set in the same place each day for access for the supply manager's use only. This person will keep track who received pencils or other supplies and then collect them when the class period is over.

I would let parents and students know about a pencil policy in the classroom the first day of school because this is really not about a pencil, it is about responsibility and reliability. My policy would be that students must have five pencils sharpened before class begins. I would also tell parents and students that they can buy a pencil from me for a nickel, or I would have students hand over something of theirs in return for being allowed to borrow the pencil; the item would be returned to the student once I have the pencil back.

I interned with a teacher who had bins and bins of pencils starting at the beginning of the school year and within a month she was down to the last handful of pencils. She told me that to combat this problem, she started to only keep a certain amount of pencils in the bin at a time. She also informed her students that she was keeping count of all of the pencils in the bin. She made a deal with them that, if they could not remember to bring their own pencils, they could borrow hers but they must return them to the bin at the end of the day. However, if when she counted the pencils in the bin at the end of the week, Friday, students would not be allowed to visit her treasure box before leaving for the day. All of her students loved going to the treasure box and after the first few weeks of the pencils coming up short, and the students being cut off from being allowed treasure box, they started being more responsible with returning the pencils and many students started bringing in their own pencils to avoid the need for borrowing. Before she knew it her pencils were being returned and it was very rare that she counted the pencils and they came up short.

The best strategy that I have seen when dealing with this type of situation is to take some sort of collateral when handing out pencils. Although a little silly, I have been in classroom where the teacher make the student leave a shoe so they will return the pencil. This is funny for the students and also ensures that they will return the pencil.

I would have a log sheet for everything borrowed in my class and be sure to make my utensils very obvious they belong to me. For example, put a big flower on the end or tape them up and put my name on them. They still work effectively and wont cause a distraction but everytime they are used or being put away the students will be reminded the pencil belongs to me.

I would create a policy for loaning pencils. This policy would require students to write down their name on a sign-out sheet and return the pencil at the end of the day. To prevent abuse of the policy, I would use pencils that are not as appealing to use, such as golf pencils or pencils that I find on the floor.

I do not have this problem, however, in my kindergarten class I keep buckets filled with pencils on the desks that are grouoped. If a student needs a pencil they are welcome to grab one and can put it back when done using it.

A good way to handle this issue is to write their name when they check out the pencil or take an item from them as collateral so that they don't forget. I think you could also send an email or note home with parents about the issue, asking for parents who are able to donate some pencils and also asking them to discuss the issue with their children. It's not necessarily just about the pencils, but also about learning to be responsible.

One of the teachers I intern with in middle school keeps a list on the board. Students write their name and what they borrowed. At the end of class no one is allowed to leave the room until all items are returned. The entire class works together to make sure students return items. None of them want to be late for lunch, which follows this class.

I had a teacher that had a classroom set of pencils just for borrowing. The catch was that the pencils had large plastic sunflowers and daisies scotch taped to them and they were placed in a vase on her desk. The boys were generally never interested in keeping them and anyone could earn different plastic flowers (roses/tulips)to decorate their pencils with as a positive behavior reward at the end of the week. This allowed the teacher to easily identify her pencils and to reward positive behavior all at the same time.

In my room, I tried a technique where when they borrow a pen or pencil, they "check it out" by loaning my their school ID. This usually helps. I have even heard that a teacher asks students to leave a shoe in exchange for the pencil!!!

I had no idea that it was the law to supply supplies to students! That is an interested fact that i have just learned!

Have a system where if the student needs a pencil, they have to give you a pass that they have earned for doing something great. Most schools have a paper reward ticket so the student gives you their ticket for a pencil and then at the end of the day, they return the pencil and they get their ticket back.

I would suggest either using a collateral system, or to set aside a time to recollect the pencils before students pack up so they cannot lose them.

I like the idea of having a log that students must sign when they borrow a pencil. When they return it, they sign again. If you have pencils with different labels (for example, you could right a number and letter combo on them in permanent marker), then you can check who took which pencil and if they returned it.

A possible solution would be to utilize a swap technique. Students are allowed to borrow a pencil, however, they must give you something of theirs in return. Students can get their personal items back when the pencil is returned. This does require a management system to remember who gave you what but students are more likely to return the pencil if they gave you a cell phone or a shoe to swap.

I take a slightly different approach. With each of my pencils I tape a large flag like piece of paper that says "I love Justin Bieber" on it. I get my pencils back everyday. You can argue that it may be embarrassing for the student, but beggars can't be choosers when it comes to pencils.

Each time a student does not return the pencil, take a small privilege away. For example, if you have "free Friday" take two minutes off each time that student does not return the pencil. That will motivate them to return it.

This is a rough topic. In our state, teachers do not get supplies at the beginning of the school year like they used to. Teachers must supply their own materials and any thing else they need for their classrooms. They pay for everything out of their own pockets. Why is it fair for the teacher to take money out Of their pocket for a student, when the parents won't do it for their own child?! In my experiences, if I was to lend out a writing utensil of any sort to my student, I would ask for collateral. Many times I would suggest they give me a shoe or for older grades their cell phone. I would pick things they won't leave class without. This way I was guaranteed to always get my pens and pencils back!