Boys Town Skill of the Week
Anger Control Strategies
Anger Control
Students who do not know how to calm down or manage their feelings of anger often have emotional meltdowns that involve name calling, screaming, cursing, tossing books, and slamming desks/chairs, etc. These inappropriate behavioral expressions often occur when students are being corrected or disciplined. For many, they simply don't know any other way to express how they feel. You can help students develop a plan for staying calm and appropriately managing their anger and frustration. You may also need to remind students that anger itself isn't bad or wrong. It is a natural emotion that can be healthy, provided that students express their feelings in ways that are constructive rather than destructive.
Planned Teaching
Introduce the Skill
- Ask students to describe what they feel (jumpy, hot, tightened muscles, etc) when they get angry or start to lose emotional control
- Continue the discussion by asking what, if anything, they do to try and calm themselves.
- Brainstorm strategies for managing emotions: deep breathing, muscle relaxation, positive self-talk, counting, journaling, physical exercise, taking a break, visualization techniques
Describe the Appropriate Behavior
- Learn what situations cause you to lose control or make you angry
- Monitor the feelings you have in stressful situations (Pay attention to your body. Signs that you may be getting frustrated or angry include tense muscles, dry mouth, raised voice, pounding heart, sweaty palms, and aggressive body movements, etc)
- Instruct yourself to breathe deeply and relax when stressful feelings begin to arise (take a deep breath and exhale slowly - repeat if necessary)
- Reword angry feelings so they can be expressed appropriately and calmly to others (A. You don't have to shout or scream to show disappointment or frustration. B. Instead of trying to convince others you're right and they're wrong, sometimes you need to "agree to disagree". C. Instead of focusing on the fact that you are mad, channel your anger into solving or correcting the situation.
- Praise yourself for controlling emotional outbursts
Give a Reason or Rationale
- It is important to stay calm since worse things always seem to happen if you lose your temper.
- Using an anger control strategy can calm your nerves and help clear your mind so you can make better choices and avoid even more problems.
- You show others you can "keep your cool" and are responsible.
- You earn others' respect because you show maturity and self control
- Others will see that you can handle bad situations, and they may rely on you more
- You are much less likely to feel regret about your behavior
- You avoid escalating situations, damaging relationships, and hurting friendships
Practice/Role Play
- Someone pushed your friend in P.E. How would you use anger control strategies to calm yourself and how would you approach that person without using physical aggression.
- The teacher corrects you for talking out in class. You feel like the teacher is picking on you. How would you express your frustration appropriately.
- You just finished an art project you have been working very hard on. Someone accidentally spilled paint on your project. You are very upset. How would you control your anger and react calmly to the person?
- Your brother broke one of your toys. How would you control your anger and deal with the situation?
Journaling
- What does self-control mean to you?
- What makes you mad?
- How can you tell when you are getting angry or starting to lose control?
If You're Happy | Super Simple Songs
Five Little Ducks and their Feelings
Sesame Street: Me Want It (But Me Wait)
Teacher Tipster (Bubble Poppin' Behavior)
I Can Calm Book - Teach Composure and Increase Literacy!
Teacher Tipster (The Cocoa Trick)
Hot Chocolate Breath -Helping Children take a Deep Breath
Sid the Science Kid Susie Songs: Breathe In Breathe Out
"Just Breathe" by Julie Bayer Salzman & Josh Salzman (Wavecrest Films)
Daniel Gets Mad / Katerina Gets Mad
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood - Calm at the Clock Factory / Calm for Storytime
Teacher Tipster (Soda Pop Emotions)
The Case Crusaders Present "I Messages"
The Power of "I": Using "I" Messages
Hether Darnell
Academic & Behavior Facilitator
Tech Academy @ Pettit Park
Email: Hdarnell@kokomo.k12.in.us
Website: Kokomoschools.com
Location: 901 W Havens St, Kokomo, IN, United States
Phone: 765-455-7075
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hether.darnell
Twitter: @HetherDarnell