Anger is a common emotion, especially in a room full of children. When not managed appropriately, it can become a major classroom problem. Teaching anger management in the classroom is not just important, it’s essential for a healthy social-emotional environment!
Signs of Anger in the Classroom
As an educator, you know when you see anger in your classroom— but are you aware of the smaller feelings that often lead to this big emotion?
Anger usually starts out as feelings of frustration, embarrassment, or feeling different. If these feelings are not addressed, they can quickly build into bigger feelings of anger.
The good news is that identifying these “smaller” feelings in your students (and helping them become self-aware) can deescalate anger before it ever occurs.
More triggering feelings that can lead to anger in students:
- Frustration
- Jealousy
- Sadness
- Hurt
- Excitement
- Worry
- Betrayal
- Guilt
- Shame
- Disrespect
- Embarrassment
- Fear
Teaching Anger Management Skills
When anger does arise, it’s necessary to have clear and easy-to-apply strategies to manage this big emotion both outwardly and inwardly.
Help students:
- Recognize anger is normal
- Understand how anger looks and feels
- Identify their own anger triggers
- Learn calming strategies
- Take slow breaths
- Walk away and cool off
- Count up to or down from 10
- Imagine peaceful places or situations
- Journal about feelings
- Use words instead of expressing anger physically
Model these skills, practice them together, and remind your students as needed!
Use Resources
Pre-made resources make it easy for you to teach a concept thoroughly and keep students engaged and excited to learn!
This Anger Monster Activity teaches students how to identify how their anger looks and feels, and what makes them angry. They will also identify different environments and people that trigger their anger.
Get this activity as a stand-alone resource, or go ahead and grab the anger management curriculum for a more comprehensive option.
This curriculum includes 9 group lesson plans and all the forms and documents you need to teach anger management to your students from START TO FINISH (think– referral forms, attendance chart, parent consent forms, pre and post surveys, completion certificate, and more!)
Use both of these resources digitally or as easy download and print options.
Use Books & Videos
Books and videos are another great way to introduce anger management into your classroom or to reinforce the topic as needed throughout the year.
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These are a few great options to use:
Hello, Anger (Your Magic Backpack) by Jessica Sinarski
Children at Sunnyvale Elementary have lots in their backpacks. Some of which can’t really be seen, like feelings and emotions. On one particular day, a red book keeps falling out, and it’s getting on everyone! Yikes, the children soon find out that it’s ANGER. They come together as detectives to figure out what’s causing all of the angry feelings.
SPOILER ALERT: they find out that lots of feelings can cause anger to overflow– like hurt, embarrassment, and feeling different.
A Little SPOT of Anger by Diane Alber
Diane Alber is at it again with another highly engaging and relatable book in her Spot series! This time it’s all about the Little Spot of Anger. Through this book, students learn practical and fun ways to help them stay calm in a variety of situations that might make them feel angry. The Spot helps them recognize that a small feeling (like frustration) can quickly turn into a big ANGRY emotion unless they use strategies to manage their emotions. Students will also feel empowered as they realize they can be in charge of their anger.
Feelings are not solely good or bad; they just are. Janan Cain gives examples of different emotions such as anger, scared, shy, bored, and jealousy throughout this story. Each page includes a picture with a child’s face depicting the emotion along with an example of why one would feel that way. The color palates on each page reflect the individual emotions as well.
This video introduces the definition of anger, common anger triggers, and four positive ways to cope with anger.
Positive Reinforcement
Don’t forget to acknowledge and compliment children often when you see them showing good anger management skills. Do so individually with a whisper as you walk by the student or a personal note on a sticky note. You can also do this publicly in front of the classroom. Consider each student’s personality and preference for recognition. Any form of positive reinforcement is great!
Teaching anger management skills in the classroom not only helps reduce anger but also promotes emotional awareness and problem-solving. Taking time to address this important concept will benefit your students now and in the future!
You might also be interested in reading:
Children’s Books about Emotions
5 Strategies to De-escalate Angry Parents
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