How To Teach While Wearing A Mask

Smart Classroom Management: How To Teach While Weariing A Mask

At some point, we’ll all be back teaching in person. Only now it will be behind a mask.

At first glance, this seems more than just a nuisance, but impossible to do effectively. After all, students need to see your mouth and facial expressions to fully grasp your meaning.

They need to decipher nuances in your enunciation, pitch, and tone.

They need to recognize your disappointment and satisfaction, your delight and feigned confusion—along with a million other non-verbals. They need to glean why you’ve paused or looked away or locked eyes on them.

So much will be lost.

Which is why teaching per normal, as if you’re not wearing a mask, will result in great frustration for both you and your students.

The good news is that by doubling down on just three key SCM strategies, and making them your central focus, you can retain your effectiveness and avoid stress while you’re at it.

Here’s how:

Talk less.

In normal circumstances, most teachers talk way too much. They over-explain and digress off topic. They narrate, remind, implore, and repeat themselves again and again.

They reteach what was taught just minutes before.

—All of which very effectively cause students to tune them out. Add masks to the equation and effective communication narrows to a trickle.

Even if you’re not prone to excessive talking, the less you speak while wearing a mask the better off you’ll be. Try cutting your talking by half or even two-thirds.

Not only will you be better understood, but you’ll be calmer and happier and have more energy at the end of the day.

Model everything.

Instead of talking, model everything—at least until your students can perform the same repeatable actions all on their own. You can include a few descriptive words as you model, but silent modeling is especially effective.

You should also rely heavily on your students modeling by choosing individuals or groups to mimic your actions, which is also a powerful way to check for understanding.

Modeling, however, isn’t just limited to routines and procedures.

You can also model your academic instruction using a document camera, smart board, easel, etc. Your students need to see and experience what they must do before being asked to do it.

Focus on independence.

An effective school during Covid will be one in which independent work is emphasized above all else. It should be like this anyway because it forces good instruction.

It deepens maturity and results in compounding academic progress. It also improves the ability for students to concentrate for long periods of time, which is a superpower in this day and age.

The key is to show them in exacting detail what they need to do or know to succeed all on their own before turning them loose.

Demonstrate from every angle. Leave no stone unturned. Make them prove they get it. Then shift responsibility for doing, performing, and executing over to them while you observe from a distance.

The Essential Way

Talk less, model everything, and focus on independence. It was good teaching before the pandemic. Now, it’s essential. The only way, in fact, to be effective in the post-Covid world.

There are other strategies—many, in fact—that augment these three. I’ll be sure to cover them as the year rolls on and more and more questions arrive in my email box.

In the meantime, it’s these three you must hitch your wagon to.

It’s these three that are going to get you through the cold, antiseptic hallways of masks and social distancing with a lot less stress and a lot more joy and satisfaction.

But you have to shake off the old paradigm. You have to swim against the tide of complexity others will surely be pushing. You have to adapt, streamline, and focus in to bring good teaching and learning to your classroom.

And in the end, you’ll thrive.

PS -All three strategies have been written about extensively here at SCM. To learn more, check out the archive in the sidebar or use the search box at top.

Also, if you haven’t done so already, please join us. It’s free! Click here and begin receiving classroom management articles like this one in your email box every week.

53 thoughts on “How To Teach While Wearing A Mask”

    • Good morning,

      Thank you very much for sharing this awesome article. This will be extremely helpful with our wonderful VPK-4 students.

      Sincerely,

      Mary Gleicher

      Reply
  1. All very good points. But what about the world language teacher, using comprehensible input (CI), that puts heavy emphasis on teacher talking and students listening?

    Reply
  2. Michael,

    As usual, you have shared solid, well-reasoned, and thoughtful advice. This is especially welcomed in this time of uncertainty and elevated stress as we return to in person instruction.

    Thank you,

    Reply
  3. Thanks Michael. As a language teacher I have long used a multitude of non-talking strategies. I will have no problem wearing a mask. Let’s just say the eyes now have it!

    Reply
  4. Thank you for this. I will be returning to in class instruction on Monday, August 10th. I am a first grade teacher and as it stands I will have 15 students. I am 61 and worry about the possible exposure to Covid. I am planning to wear a mask, shield, and sometimes gloves. You gave me some realistic expectations and reminded me of how I use to teach. Teaching has become more complicated in the past five years. I am planning to retire early at the end of this upcoming year. For me, it will never be what I once enjoyed. The younger generation of teachers will tweek it to their generational needs and wants.

    Reply
    • I agree with you! I am going to start my 15th year of teaching first grade. I still have 5 more before I can retire. This year is going to be challenge to say the least! I hope I can enjoy it but most of all I hope my new first graders will feel safe, loved, and secure. Good luck to you this year!

      Reply
  5. very good advice…I am writing it on a sticky note on my computer and on a 3×5 for my desk and podium. I just want to cry about this coming year. My kids are not coming back…. at least at first, but I am beginning to wonder if they will this year. What a loss, but at least I have a plan

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  6. thank-you!
    I used to be a swimming instructor and lifeguard. To get the attention of children underwater or people across the noisy pool we used simple hand gestures and direct eye contact. (No we did not use whistles! those were only for emergencies – soccer matches give me heart attacks)
    My plan is that when I notice Ss forgetting distancing or masks, I will not say or yell anything. I will knock three times. Students then knock back while saying “Masks, Space, Safe”. Yes of course all taught and modelled. Hopefully it will save my sanity and my voice.

    Any teacher thoughts on this?

    Reply
    • What grade is this? I like the 3 knocks for the 3 reminders. Kids will respond to what they are taught, and I think it’s just different expectations for safety along with the class expectations. Have a great year!

      Reply
    • Great idea! Can I steal? 🙂 I teach middle school, and asking them to do something often results in…them not doing it. 3 knocks will get their attention, and the reminder will put the responsibility back on them. Thanks so much for the idea.

      Sharon

      Reply
  7. Love the first idea to Talk Less! I told myself early on that I didn’t think I could teach wearing a mask. I will be wearing one and using specific word choices. Also plan to incorporate nonverbal gestures for students to show understanding.

    Reply
  8. The plan for many schools in my area was for teachers to wear face shields, but now the governor has mandated masks through the end of September, and shields are not a substitute.

    Reply
  9. Love these ideas. Most teachers in Australia are not required to wear masks (so far), but these are all things I’ve been thinking developing about in our three weeks back at school this term (I teach every class in the library). After three weeks of teaching with the background of COVID-anxiety and I am just exhausted. Using more modelling, and developing and expecting independence will help, and speaking less will definitely ward off the end-of-day exhaustion that I’m noticing more than ever. Everything is just harder these days due to stress, thanks for breaking down teaching into simple steps and strategies to focus on. I have found this article helpful to think about talking less https://fraumusik.com/2019/01/10/talk-less-teach-more-music/ and one of our 5th grade teachers uses hand signals to direct her class silently when she collects her class. Her students love it.

    Reply
  10. Thanks a lot! Will be actually trying all these suggestions as they seem so sensible and practical and exactly what is needed at this hour.

    Reply
  11. I have been physically teaching high school learners in class for a few weeks now. I am wearing both a face shield and a mask. My mask is made with a one meter elastic that can be tightened to sit snugly or loosened to hang around my neck behind my face shield. When all learners are seated I drop my mask, stay behind a specific line and teach wearing only my shield. This is much easier than trying to teach with only a mask on – which is highly frustrating. Whenever I need to come into closer contact with my students again, I just put on my mask back on.

    Reply
  12. Three random thoughts:

    1) I hate wearing masks. It is a very suffocating, constricting feeling for me and I am genuinely concerned that I’m going to have major anxiety issues trying to teach in one. I also can’t avoid having my glasses fog up while I’m wearin one.

    2) I teach choir. We don’t even know how that’s going to work yet. So Michael as much as I appreciate your suggestions, I don’t see how they apply in my case.

    3) There are masks being made with a clear panel where the mouth is. I’ve tried them and while that’s a great idea, they fog up on the panel and become really wet and gross. They also make glasses fog up worse than plain masks.

    This is all just going to be AWFUL.

    Reply
    • I thought about getting some of those masks and then worried that they would fog up. I used to scuba dive and they have a product that you put on the masks before you dive that keeps this from happening. Wonder if it would work with masks not in the water!

      Reply
    • There are videos online about ways to avoid glasses fogging. One is to fold a tissue and put it along the top of the mask on the bridge of your nose. Here on the UK we have not been advised to wear any PPE when we return to school. I am concerned about teaching violin in small poorly ventilated practice rooms!

      Reply
    • I hear what you are saying. You may consider frequent testing to avoid the need for masks. However, you may find this is not the overall solution as students in choir tend to be involved in more social activities. I wear several mask, I haven’t found any one of them to be suffocating. I think It may be awkard while singing.
      I suggest being extreamly clean and follow all the health guidelines you can.

      Reply
    • There are products you can buy to spray on glasses so they don’t fog. I’ve found them useful. Also, breathing properly in a mask takes practice and the anxiety adds to the constrictive feeling. Find a material that works for you. Target has thin cotton ones, you can find ones made from swimsuit material also. I had to try a bunch before I found one that I can teach in for hours. Also, you can buy elastic straps which snap on to the ear loops (Amazon sells them). These have helped me make my masks fit better. Nose breathing and lots of practice makes the mask wearing more doable.

      Reply
  13. Thanks Michael, I love reading all your posts and implementing them little by little. It has truly transformed my classroom! Talking less has always been a goal of mine and now that I will be wearing a mask, it will be easier to acheive that. I look at this pandemic as a chance to be more creative and get better at all the strategies that you have shared. Thanks for your continued efforts to make my job more enjoyable!

    Reply
  14. It is good for educators to spend time planning mask wearing. You may not anticipate the reactions of the students until you actually experience it. You will need to be able to manage the class the first day where it causes little attraction.
    Everything form the why of mask to the types of masks the teacher may be wearing can excite the students into wonder or conversation. However, don’t allow this to become an issue with your class. You make a statement on the why? Especially for those who may not have already been trained in your class style.

    Reply
  15. For the same reasons mentioned above, I plan to wear a face shield only in the classroom (whenever we return to school in person). I’ve heard there are masks that that are inverted (with the opening at the top)) although I haven’t seen them. I teach Kinder French Immersion & in CA, thankfully, masks won’t be required in grades K-3. It’s vital the students see my face / lips when learning another language.

    Reply
  16. I am a no mask person. I simply will not wear one – I am shocked at how many teachers are “buying into” fear!! I am so far past this Chinese virus. We will always have viruses and diseases among us. This one is no different. If we were all 82 (average fatality age), then you might want to be more cautious but it’s business as usual for me and our family.
    It’s not science, it’s compliance – how dare “experts” tell us what we can and cannot do. Go back to your normal teaching and routines or stay home and quarantine – yes it’s really that simple.
    Love your articles, Michael! Thanks for your wisdom!
    karla

    Reply
  17. I find no reason why a language teacher should wear a mask in front of his learners. Language speaking is more than simply saying ” Good morning!” where a student could read as soon as the first lesson of a morning begins. There are other words that the students are able to read or say as a result if reading the movement of the mouth and position of the tongue in relation to the teeth. Closing the mouth with a mask means barring students to learn from facial expression and only limiting to their hearing which is in turn affected by the mask itself as the voice projection is reduced by the obstacle on the mouth( mask)
    There are other points that we can consider helpful like reduced ( Teacher Talking Time(TTT )

    Reply

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