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Anger Avengers

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Lesson Plan

Anger Avengers Lesson Plan

Help a 3rd grader identify healthy responses to anger, build a personal Calm Down Toolbox, and practice coping strategies through discussion and role-play.

Teaching healthy anger responses empowers students to manage emotions, reduce outbursts, and build coping skills for better classroom and social interactions.

Audience

3rd Grade Student

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Discussion, role-play, and hands-on toolbox creation

Materials

Prep

Prepare Counseling Session

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Welcome the student and explain the purpose of the session
  • Ask the student to recall a recent time they felt angry
  • Show the Emotions Wheel PDF and discuss how anger feels in the body

Step 2

Identify Anger Signals

5 minutes

Step 3

Role-Play Scenarios

10 minutes

  • Present a scenario from Anger Avengers Scenario Cards
  • Role-play two responses: one unhealthy and one healthy
  • Discuss why the healthy response helps calm anger more effectively

Step 4

Build Calm Down Toolbox

7 minutes

  • Provide the student with the Calm Down Toolbox Template
  • Let them draw or list personal calming strategies (e.g., deep breathing, stretching, positive self-talk)
  • Encourage creativity and personalization to make the toolbox meaningful

Step 5

Reflection and Closure

3 minutes

  • Review the strategies chosen for the Calm Down Toolbox
  • Remind the student how and when to use each tool
  • Set a goal: the student will try one toolbox strategy before expressing anger this week
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Slide Deck

Anger Avengers

Let’s learn how to handle anger in healthy ways!

Welcome the student. Introduce yourself as the “Anger Avenger” guide for today. Explain that you’ll explore what anger is and learn ways to handle it safely.

Today’s Goals

  • Identify what anger looks and feels like
  • Practice healthy ways to respond
  • Create your personal Calm Down Toolbox

Briefly walk through each goal to set expectations. Emphasize that they’ll practice, create, and plan.

What Is Anger?

Anger is a strong feeling that something unfair or upsetting happened.

It’s okay to feel angry — our goal is to respond in healthy ways!

Show the Emotions Wheel PDF. Discuss how anger can feel in the body and mind.

Anger Signals

Common signs of anger:

  • Heart racing or “butterflies”
  • Fists clenching or tight muscles
  • Feeling hot or flushed
  • Wanting to yell or stomp

Let’s explore more with our flashcards.

Use the Anger Avengers Feelings Flashcards. Ask the student to name signals they notice.

Remember a Time

Think about a moment you felt anger:
• What happened?
• How did your body feel?

Prompt the student: “Tell me about a time you felt really angry. What happened? How did your body feel?” Listen and validate.

Role-Play Activity

We’ll choose a scenario and try two responses:

  1. Unhealthy response
  2. Healthy response

Then we’ll talk about why the healthy one works better.

Explain the role-play steps. Hand over the Anger Avengers Scenario Cards.

Scenario Example

“Your friend takes your pencil without asking.”

• What might an unhealthy response look like?
• What could be a healthy response?

Read the scenario aloud. Encourage the student to brainstorm both responses.

Healthy Response

  1. Take a deep breath
  2. Use a calm voice: “Please give it back—I feel upset when you take my things.”
  3. Walk away or ask an adult if you still feel upset

Guide the student through each step. Highlight how breathing and calm words help.

Build Your Toolbox

Draw or write 3–5 things you can do when anger rises. These become your tools in the Calm Down Toolbox!

Give the student the Calm Down Toolbox Template and markers.

Calm Down Ideas

• Slow, deep breaths
• Count to 10
• Squeeze a stress ball or pillow
• Draw or write how you feel
• Talk to a friend or trusted adult

Share a few examples, then encourage personalization.

Your Calm Down Toolbox

(Space to draw or list your 3–5 calming strategies)

Allow the student time to fill in their toolbox. Offer praise and ask about each tool they choose.

Reflection & Next Steps

Which tool will you try first?

Write it down and decide when you’ll use it before you react.

Help the student pick one tool to practice before reacting next time. Write down a simple plan.

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Activity

Anger Avengers Feelings Flashcards

Use these flashcards to explore how anger can feel in our bodies and minds. For each card:

  1. Look at the image.
  2. Read the back text describing the signal.
  3. Discuss: What do you notice? When have you felt this with anger?

Card 1
Image: Cartoon heart beating fast
Back: Heart racing or fluttering – feeling like your heart is pounding quickly.

Card 2
Image: Clenched fists
Back: Fists clenching or tight muscles – feeling your arms or hands get tense.

Card 3
Image: Red, flushed face
Back: Feeling hot or flushed – your face or ears feel warm and red.

Card 4
Image: Trembling hands
Back: Shaking or trembling – your hands or body feel unsteady.

Card 5
Image: Someone stomping feet
Back: Wanting to stomp or kick – your legs feel like they might move quickly.

Card 6
Image: Mouth shouting
Back: Wanting to yell or scream – you feel like using a loud voice.

Card 7
Image: Angry frown (furrowed brow)
Back: Furrowing your brow or scowling – your face shows you’re upset.

Card 8
Image: Hands on chest
Back: Tight chest or difficulty breathing – it feels hard to take deep breaths.

Card 9
Image: Child holding stomach
Back: Stomach ache or “butterflies” – your tummy feels upset or fluttery.

Card 10
Image: Swirls around head
Back: Racing thoughts – your mind jumps from one upsetting thought to another.

Use these cards during the Identify Anger Signals step of your counseling session. Refer back to them when building the Calm Down Toolbox to pick tools that help with the signals you notice most.

Materials:

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Activity

Anger Avengers Scenario Cards

Use these scenario cards during the Role-Play Scenarios step of your counseling session. For each card:

  1. Read the scenario aloud.
  2. Think of two possible responses:
    • Unhealthy response: What might you do or say that isn’t helpful?
    • Healthy response: How could you handle your anger in a calm, positive way?

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Card 1
Your friend takes your pencil without asking.

Unhealthy response:







Healthy response:






Card 2
A classmate laughs at you when you make a mistake.

Unhealthy response:







Healthy response:






Card 3
Your younger sibling spills juice on your drawing.

Unhealthy response:







Healthy response:






Card 4
The teacher asks you to clean up your desk instead of playing.

Unhealthy response:







Healthy response:






Card 5
You lose a game on the playground.

Unhealthy response:







Healthy response:






Card 6
A friend doesn’t include you in their group project.

Unhealthy response:







Healthy response:






Materials:

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Worksheet

Calm Down Toolbox Template

Use this sheet to build your personal Calm Down Toolbox. Draw or write 3–5 tools you can use when you feel angry. Be creative and think about what helps you feel calm!

Tool 1 Name: ____________________________

Drawing or Writing Your Tool:











How this tool helps me:






Tool 2 Name: ____________________________

Drawing or Writing Your Tool:











How this tool helps me:






Tool 3 Name: ____________________________

Drawing or Writing Your Tool:











How this tool helps me:






Tool 4 Name: ____________________________

Drawing or Writing Your Tool:











How this tool helps me:






Tool 5 Name (optional): ____________________________

Drawing or Writing Your Tool:











How this tool helps me:






Reflection & Next Steps

Which tool will I try first? ________________________




When will I use it? ________________________________




My goal for this week: ______________________________



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