Back to school face covering and mask ideas to introduce and normalize for students

Wearing masks in school or having students wear masks is completely new. How to normalize mask wearing is a critical task.

We all know back to school 2020 is going to be an interesting year. A first for students and teachers alike. Wearing a mask in a school setting is imperative to prevent transmission but introducing what this looks like is important for students to know ahead of time and to be prepared for!

Check out these ideas for masks in school, students wearing masks, and the management of them all!

**disclaimer** I have been searching for ideas to help and will cite sources. I do NOT have proper medical training to recommend these ideas and discussion with administration before any implementation is always the best place to start! The intent is to normalize masks NOT to make light of the current pandemic.

Types of Face Covering Masks for Students

Schools may provide masks or even teachers are crowd sourcing masks for students to wear in their classrooms.

Options for student mask or face coverings:

Lesson Ideas to introduce students to face coverings and masks!

With expectations of face covering or masks for students and teachers, students need time and role playing to effectively understand the concept.

Without knowing history through the pandemic and family decisions students will vary in their comfort and familiarity with a mask.

Normalizing student masks and face coverings in a school building is SO important for student well being.

Here are some FREE ways to do that you first day or week of school or even BEFORE! If you are transitioning from distance learning to in person these are great to have ready ahead of time!

Introduce Masks through Covid read alouds

The full list of coronavirus read alouds is a great list to introduce in a nonthreatening way to students more factual information!

Learn some Student Mask Chants

Learning some mask chants that students could use and know would be great for inperson or transition from distance to in-person seated instruction.

Download this FREE Student Mask Chants poster and keep handy for back to school 2020. Make sure to pin and share with colleagues!

Wear your Mask Videos for Students

Watch together or send out before coming into school building so students know expectations ahead of time!

Many versions you can search and find familiar tunes. This version would be great for even the youngest learners!

Behind the Mask Portrait Idea

I love Cassie’s Idea for a Behind the Mask Art Project. She walks you through step by step and this would make a great addition to Back to School 2020 lesson plans!

With supplies on hand, this student mask idea really focuses on the person behind the mask as it can be a new and trying time adjusting to new expectations.

This is a great way to build classroom community when heading back to school in person (even if it is later in the year!)

Keep Student Masks ON with this Teacher Lanyard Hack

Using Breakaway lanyards (will release if pulled – choking hazard otherwise!) keep student masks in school within arm’s reach.

No mixing up of masks~!

Easy for students to keep close by!

Make Student Mask Ear Savers together

Wash hands, gather supplies and work spaced out but on the same project. If you have younger students, rainbow looms make this easy or use elastic!

This post tells you all about it!

Your Back to School Introduction Video should feature masks for SCHOOL STAFF

If you send a video about yourself to parents and families or a compilation of school staff – feature masks!

Students need to see that is the norm BEFORE coming in the building if possible!

Let everyone know expectations (even if just teacher is wearing it in some scenarios!)

Show students masks are to keep us safe and will be worn in schools.

Make a Face Mask Bulletin Board

This face mask bulletin board has been trolling the internet so use your discretion if the school or building is appropriate but adding fun to the mix is a great way to make masks less intimidating for students!

Face Mask Social Story

Get students acclimated to using face masks in school with social stories.

I love this FREE Face Mask Social Story to share with younger students in school about importance of face masks and procedures to keep COVID at bay.