How to stop hallway distractions when door windows can't be covered
School safety policies that prohibit covering classroom door windows leave teachers unable to block out disruptive wandering students. This prevents the class from focusing and forces teachers to constantly interrupt instruction.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Hanging custom curtains or shades with a tension rod to quickly block distractions
- 2Keeping classroom doors locked at all times while leaving windows uncovered or doors propped open
- 3Using oversized or embarrassing physical objects as hall passes
- 4Attaching tracking tags to hall passes
- 5Threatening extra homework if the pass is not returned
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I then covered the door window, and it got the class refocused on my co-teachers lessons so she can finish teaching the lesson.”source ↗
“My coteacher mentioned that covering door windows isn't allowed.”source ↗
“As for the window in the door, its supposed to be uncovered except in a lock down. However, I have pulled down the shade when students were being purposely distracting in the hall.”source ↗
“We have laminated cards but they always end up missing in someone pocket.”source ↗
Where this came up
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