Passing the Mask: Faces Around the Circle, in Silence

Seated in a circle, one person “takes off” an invisible mask with an expression and hands it to the next person, who puts it on, transforms it, and passes it on. A quiet game of focus and expression that ends class calmly.

How to play

1. Circles of 8 to 10, seated. The teacher takes off an imaginary mask with a clear expression and puts it on the next person, who copies it (2 min).
2. The mask goes around: each person receives it, copies it, changes it a little, and takes it off to pass it on. Aim for small changes, not big jumps (2 min).
3. Final round with a wind-down rule: each mask a little calmer than the last, until the whole circle has a relaxed face (1 min).
4. Open the circle; each person stands and walks out slowly still wearing the last calm mask (1 min).

Rules

• Total silence during the round.
• Pass the mask without touching your neighbor's face.
• You can pass the mask unchanged if you don't want to create.
• Nobody laughs at an expression: take it and keep going.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: the passer describes the mask with one whispered word (“surprise”), and they receive it with that idea.
• Students who find facial expression hard: the mask can be hands and shoulders.
• Limited mobility: done from the wheelchair as part of the circle, no changes.

Learning goals

• Wind down with a quiet game.
• Observe and reproduce expressions accurately.
• Keep the group listening in silence.

Teacher tip

Works best in small groups so the round doesn't drag. If laughter breaks out, let it pass and restart from a neutral face.

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