Bookcases

• 1). Start with your own room's bookcases. Ask colleagues if they can spare any shelving, especially at the end of the school year when classroom assignments change. Look for inexpensive used bookcases at garage sales or thrift stores.
  
  
• 2). Situate the bookcases to create a wall between classroom areas. Fill the bookcases with materials students will use in that area; books for a reading center, calculators for a math lab, and so on.
  
  
• 3). Use shorter shelving units for simple partitions that simply define areas. Use taller ones to create the impression of a wall for more privacy.
  
  

Curtains or Drapes

• 1). Measure the length of your drapery rod. Drill two holes in the ceiling to the appropriate length and and install anchors. Screw in hooks and tighten.
  
  
• 2). Use heavy wire to hang the drapery rod from the hooks. Hang a curtain of your choosing and pull to the desired length to separate classroom spaces.
  
  
• 3). Maximize privacy by using a curtain with a dark, opaque color. Use a floor-length curtain to create a wall effect and keep students' out of each others' work space.
  
  

Wood Framing

• 1). Use inexpensive wood beams to create a frame similar to what might be used for scenery in a school play. Use 1-inch by 3-inch pieces of wood for sturdiness. Square the angles and use wood glue as well as nails to secure the wood.
  
  
• 2). Use weighted braces to support the structure. Stretch fabric across it like a painting and staple into place. Repeat on the other side of the frame if desired to create a more finished look.
  
  
• 3). Follow the basic steps above but nail cork across the frame instead of, or underneath, the fabric layer. Use the divider to display student work, posters or seasonal bulletin board displays.