Free Door Testing Signs

During standardized testing season, it is usually pretty quiet around the school building.  Most classes are testing simultaneously or other teachers in the building are aware that certain classrooms are in a testing time.

Other times in the year though, you could be giving a cumulative math exam and it sounds like wild elephants running through the hallway.

Never assume others will know that you need a little extra concentration quiet just because your classroom door is closed.

Instead, use a visual aid.

Once during a reading comprehension test, the students were quietly working until another class went out to the playground for a reward session.  Of course, the playground was right outside my classroom window.

And it was warm that day, so shutting the windows was out of the question.

Needless to say, there were many sets of eyes not looking at their reading test that day.

While there was nothing my colleague did wrong, perhaps if she had noticed a testing sign placed on my classroom door as her class walked past to get to the playground door, she could have at least asked her students to keep the noise level down a tad as a courtesy.

But she had no idea.

How to display your testing sign

Depending on the type of door you have, you can attach your sign to the door in various ways.

If you have a metal door, simply grab some magnets and easily attach to the door in a prominent location.

Should your door be wooden, you can use sticky tack or sticky clips.

Another option that shouldn’t remove any paint from surfaces is painter’s tape.

Of course, if you aren’t permitted to place anything on the door itself, hanging it on a string from the door handle could be one more choice.

Always test your adhesive just to make sure you aren’t damaging any property.  No sense in having irate administrators or custodial staff.

Where to store your sign

I like to store my sign somewhere readily accessible.

That might be in a hanging pocket near the door.

Or perhaps right in my lesson plan file crate in the materials for the day of the test.

Once you have a regular spot for the sign, you could even assign a student to place the sign on the door at the beginning of the test and bring it back to you once all tests have been collected.  That makes it a little easier on you having to remember it’s still out in the hallway and others are tiptoeing around for an entire day – or longer.

Do you need a sign for your classroom door?

I’ve got you covered!

I do recommend printing on cardstock.  And if possible, all the way to the edge.

Laminating is optional, but it will last much longer if you do.

Click here to email your freebie

How do you keep your students focused on assessments when there are loud distractions outside of the classroom?

Feel free to leave us a comment below.

~Charity