sharing

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Home : 2003 : July : 26

sharing
By Julianne

I've shared a classroom many times. Some roommates were great, others not so great (read "rotten"). I, too, am a neatnik and absolutely hate it when something I need isn't where I put it. After one particularly awful roomie
(who took stuff home with her and then said, "Oh, I think I took that home." Fat lot of good that confession did when I needed the stuff NOW!) I decided on some strategies to make it easier to share.
One thing that must happen is a meeting with the roomies to determine who owns what and where it will be kept, what will be shared and what is hands-off. It can help to set this

up in advance because the other teacher knows you are aware of what is yours and will hold her responsible if it goes missing. Another thing to do immediately is go to your principal and request a locking cupboard, also a locking desk. Tell him WHY! Explain that your personal items are important to your teaching, but you can't afford to keep replacing them. I've had good luck with principals providing at least some lock-up space. You might also suggest a rolling cart for the other teachers so their own stuff can be moved into and out of your room. Sometimes people "borrow" stuff because it's easier than going back to get their own. If there are some things in the room that you must share, teach your students how to account for them. This has a twofold benefit. You will be sure your materials didn't wander away with your own students, and if any of your kids are in the other person's block they can teach the others how to attend to the materials.