How would you answer this?

Question

A student comes up to you and says he is almost positve

his wallet was in his pocket and now it is not there. It

has money for a fundraiser in it. It is about two minutes

before the bell. What would you do?

Answer 1

I would say, "I'm really sorry to hear that.  How about you backtrack over where you've been in the school?  Don't leave the school, just go back to your locker and check where you came in the building.  If you don't find it there, stop by the office and have them call the bus company to see if they found your wallet.  Here, let me write you a pass."

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Answer 2

I would have the student check the room, the floor, walk them through the last few minutes of their day and try and help them determine where they may have lost their wallet. I would also pose the question to all of the students in the room.  Ask them to take a look around their desk to see if they see the missing wallet. The fundraiser information is erroneous, as a teacher, you aren't responsible to make up the money for that fundraiser.

Answer 3

"Almost positive"?  Ask if anyone's seen it.

"Positive"--hold the class and call a principal.

Answer 4

This happens to me all the time -- kid loses X and comes to me to find it.  It sorta depends on your kids and how they are.  I'm fortunate to work in a school where theft really isn't a problem, and most of the kids have enough of a conscience to turn it in.

I've also worked with really hostile and defensive kids, and you couldn't even ask the whole class about it, without practically starting a riot.

I usually ask the kid what he wants me to do about it.  Usually they want me to ask the class, and I do.  But if it doesn't come up, it doesn't come up.  Sorry buddy, you are responsible for your belongings!