BioEd Online

Teacher Background

The Science

The latest science affirms that wearing a mask is critical in slowing the spread of COVID-19, especially when everyone in a community is wearing one. Masks provide a simple barrier to help prevent droplets from travelling into the air and onto other people when we breathe, cough, or talk. Masks reduce the spray of droplets when they are worn properly: over the mouth and nose.

It is possible for someone to spread coronavirus even though they feel healthy. If you have COVID-19 and don’t know it, a mask will reduce the chance of you spreading it to others.

Depending on the type of mask, it also can provide some protection to the wearer. Although viruses are very tiny, they usually travel inside droplets of moisture that can be partially screened by a mask. Face shields and goggles help protect the eyes from droplets. However, they should be worn in combination with a mask over the mouth and nose.

Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives

Students will describe how wearing a face mask can help stop the spread of infectious diseases, particularly COVID-19. They also will demonstrate appropriate, healthy ways to put masks on and take them off.
 

Science/Health/Math Skills

Observing

Comparing/Contrasting

Communicating
 

NGSS Science & Engineering Practices

Asking questions and defining problems

Planning and carrying our investigations

Materials and Setup

Materials

Teacher will need

• device and ability to project or share the videos linked below
• paper or cloth mask for demonstration

Students will need 

• paper or cloth mask for each student (students may use the masks they have worn to school or a clean mask at home, if learning remotely)
• sheet of paper and markers, crayons, pencils, etc., OR a device on which to create a unique digital design for a face mask
• copy of, or access to, instructions on the "COVID-19 Mask Art" student page

 

Setup and Teaching Tips

You may conduct the first sections of this activity as a whole class activity.

 

Grades K–2

PBS
https://www.pbs.org/video/wearing-mask-helps-stop-spread-germs-mjjg7e/

 

Grades 3–5 and 6–8

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mn6axdkbGd4

Procedure and Extensions

Part 1

Engage

1. Ask, Why do you think it’s important to wear masks these days when we are with others? Accept all responses. Follow by asking, Do we have to wear masks when we are in our own homes with family? Discuss students’ responses.

In general, it’s not necessary to wear masks inside the home. However, there are a few times when it is advisable to wear a mask at home: 1) when you have guests and you are not certain about their close contacts, 2) when someone in the household has had a close contact exposure to the virus and has been advised to quarantine, and 3) when someone in the household has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for COVID-19.

“Close contact” is defined as being within six feet of someone for more than 15 minutes (regardless of whether either or both persons were wearing masks).

Explore

2. Explain that face coverings (masks) help to reduce the spread of a virus that is making people sick all around the world. The virus, which is a kind of coronavirus, causes a disease called COVID-19 (which stands for “coronavirus disease 2019”).

3. Tell students that the virus travels in tiny droplets that go into the air when you sneeze, cough, talk, and sing. Wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of the virus to others. Masks also provide the wearer some protection from droplets.

4. Masks also keep you from touching your face, which is very important because the virus can be transferred from your hands into your eyes, nose, and mouth. Finally, masks provide some protection from droplets sprayed into the air when other people talk, laugh, or sing.

5. Select a grade-appropriate informational video from the list to watch with your class. The videos are focused on the proper, most healthy way to wear and handle face masks.

Explain

6. After watching the video, engage students in a discussion about what they learned regarding the proper way to put on and take off a mask.
   
   Suggested questions: Why is it important for a mask to cover your mouth and nose? Why is it necessary to put on and remove a mask carefully? The video explained that handwashing is important when putting on and taking off a mask. Why? What about washing your cloth mask?

Masks should be washed regularly to keep them clean. Most cloth masks can be washed in a washing machine along with regular laundry. They also can be washed by hand with soap and warm water.

7. Using your own face mask, demonstrate how to remove the mask by handling only the ear loops or ties. To show students how a mask should be handled before washing, fold the mask in half by bringing the outside corners together. Then, put your mask back on holding only the ear loops.

8. Have each student practice handling her or his mask, using only the ear loops. If students are at home or outside, have them remove their masks and put them back on by touching only the ear loops or ties. If possible, have students wash their hands after handling the masks.

9.  

10. Ask for any question’s students may still have regarding wearing a mask. You also might ask if anyone has a funny mask story to share!

11. You may wish to share your own feelings about wearing a mask to create a safe space for children to express their feelings and concerns.

12. Use the slides accompanying this activity to show students characteristics of masks that are effective in preventing respiratory diseases like COVID-19.

Extend

13. Explain that people have been very creative in finding fun and interesting ways to make face coverings. Ask students to describe their favorite mask designs.

14. Tell students that they will have a chance to create their own mask designs!

15. Show them the student page and review the directions with them.

16. Assign a time for sharing their designs later.

 

Handouts and Downloads