Lesson Plan
Anger Busters: Calm, Cool, Collected!
Students will be able to identify anger triggers and practice 2-3 healthy coping strategies for managing anger without physical outbursts or tantrums.
Learning to manage anger constructively helps students build better relationships, avoid trouble, and feel more in control of their emotions. It teaches them to express themselves in ways that are safe and respectful, leading to a more positive classroom and home environment.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided practice, and a creative activity.
Materials
Small whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Printouts of Anger Thermometer Worksheet, Crayons or colored pencils, Printouts of Calm Down Strategies Cards, Cool Down Activity, and Anger Busters Slide Deck
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Anger Busters Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
* Print copies of the Anger Thermometer Worksheet (one per student).
* Print and cut out the Calm Down Strategies Cards.
* Gather markers, crayons, or colored pencils.
* Ensure a small whiteboard or chart paper is available for group brainstorming.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Makes You Grumpy?
5 minutes
- Greet students and introduce the topic: managing strong feelings, especially anger.
* Ask: "What are some things that make you feel a little grumpy or annoyed?" (e.g., someone taking your toy, losing a game).
* Facilitate a brief group share, emphasizing that everyone feels angry sometimes. Use Anger Busters Slide Deck - Slide 1 and Anger Busters Slide Deck - Slide 2.
Step 2
Understanding Anger: The Anger Thermometer
7 minutes
- Introduce the idea that anger can be big or small, like a thermometer. Use Anger Busters Slide Deck - Slide 3.
* Distribute the Anger Thermometer Worksheet.
* Guide students to identify different levels of anger from
Step 3
Calm Down Strategies Brainstorm & Practice
10 minutes
- Explain that when anger starts to get big, we need
Step 4
Practice & Role-Play (Optional)
5 minutes
- If time allows, choose one or two common anger scenarios from the brainstorm.
* Ask students to role-play how they would use a calm-down strategy instead of hitting or yelling.
* Provide positive feedback and encourage creative solutions. Use Anger Busters Slide Deck - Slide 6.
Step 5
Cool Down: My Go-To Strategy
3 minutes
- Distribute the Cool Down Activity.
* Ask students to write or draw one calm-down strategy they will try to use next time they feel angry.
* Briefly share as a group. Thank students for their participation and bravery in discussing strong feelings. Use Anger Busters Slide Deck - Slide 7.
Slide Deck
Anger Busters: Calm, Cool, Collected!
Learning to manage big feelings!
Welcome students and set a positive, safe tone for discussing emotions. Explain that everyone feels angry sometimes, and it's okay to feel that way. The goal is to learn how to deal with it.
What Makes You Grumpy or Annoyed?
What are some things that make your tummy feel a little fluttery or your eyebrows go down?
(Think: someone taking your toy, losing a game, a sibling bothering you...)
Ask students to share things that make them feel a little frustrated or annoyed. Write their answers on a whiteboard or chart paper. Validate their feelings.
My Anger Thermometer 🌡️
Anger can be big or small!
Just like a thermometer shows how hot or cold it is, our anger thermometer shows how angry we feel.
Level 1: Annoyed (A little grumpy)
Level 2: Frustrated (Getting a bit hot)
Level 3: Angry (Boiling inside!)
Level 4: Fuming! (Ready to explode!)
Introduce the concept of the 'Anger Thermometer.' Explain that anger can be small (like a little annoyance) or big (like a volcano ready to erupt). Distribute the Anger Thermometer Worksheet.
Super Cool Calm-Down Strategies!
When anger gets too big, we can use our superpowers to calm down!
What are some things we can do instead of hitting, throwing, spitting, or having a tantrum?
Discuss healthy ways to calm down. Show the Calm Down Strategies Cards and explain each one. Ask students to share other ideas. Emphasize that these strategies help them choose not to hit, throw, spit, or tantrum.
Try These Power Moves! 💪
- Take 3 deep breaths (smell the flower, blow out the candle)
- Count to 10
- Ask for a break or space
- Talk about your feelings (use 'I' statements)
- Get a drink of water
- Squeeze a stress ball
- Draw or color
- Go for a quick walk
Show the specific strategies from the Calm Down Strategies Cards. Briefly explain each one and perhaps model one or two. Focus on actionable steps.
Let's Practice! (Role-Play)
What if...
* Someone takes your pencil without asking?
* You lose your favorite game?
* Your friend says something mean?
What calm-down power move would you use?
Engage students in a quick role-play. Present a scenario and ask them to choose a calm-down strategy. Encourage them to act it out briefly.
My Super Calm Plan! ✨
What's one calm-down strategy you will try to use next time you feel angry?
Draw or write it down on your cool-down sheet!
Conclude the session by having students complete the Cool Down Activity. Ask them to share their chosen strategy. Reiterate that it's okay to feel angry, but it's important to choose safe ways to express it.
Script
Anger Busters: Calm, Cool, Collected! Script
Introduction (Slide 1 & 2)
Teacher: "Hi everyone! Welcome to our 'Anger Busters' session. Today, we're going to talk about something really important: our feelings, especially when we get angry. Has anyone ever felt angry before? [Pause for responses] Of course! Everyone feels angry sometimes, and that's totally normal. It's how we handle that anger that matters.
Now, let's think about what makes us feel a little bit grumpy or annoyed. Maybe someone takes your favorite toy without asking, or you lose a game, or your sibling keeps bothering you. What are some things that make your tummy feel a little fluttery or your eyebrows go down? Let's share some ideas safely in our group. No one needs to use names."
[Facilitate a brief group share, writing student ideas on a whiteboard/chart paper. Validate feelings. For instance, "Yes, it can be really frustrating when that happens!"]
Understanding Anger: The Anger Thermometer (Slide 3)
Teacher: "Great job sharing, everyone. So, we all know what can make us angry. But did you know anger can be big or small? It's like a thermometer that shows how hot or cold it is outside, our anger thermometer shows us how angry we feel.
Look at our slide. We have different levels:
- Level 1: Annoyed. That's when you're just a little grumpy.
- Level 2: Frustrated. You're getting a bit hot inside.
- Level 3: Angry. Wow, you're really boiling now!
- Level 4: Fuming! This is when you feel like you're ready to explode!
I'm going to give you an Anger Thermometer Worksheet. I want you to draw or write about something that makes you feel each level of anger. Remember, it's just about what makes you feel that way, not how you react yet."
[Distribute the Anger Thermometer Worksheet and crayons/pencils. Allow students to work for a few minutes. Offer help as needed. Circulate and check in.]
Teacher: "Does anyone want to share an example of something that makes them feel 'annoyed' or 'frustrated'? [Allow a few shares, reiterating that these feelings are normal.]"
Super Cool Calm-Down Strategies! (Slide 4 & 5)
Teacher: "Now here's the super important part! When our anger starts to get big, especially when it reaches Level 3 or 4, we need special superpowers to calm down. These superpowers help us choose what to do instead of hitting, throwing, spitting, or having a tantrum. Because hitting, throwing, and spitting hurt others or break things, and tantrums don't help us solve the problem, right?
So, what are some super cool calm-down strategies we can use instead? Take a look at these Calm Down Strategies Cards and the slide. What do you see?"
[Show the Calm Down Strategies Cards and refer to Slide 5. Explain and briefly model each strategy, e.g., demonstrate deep breaths, counting on fingers.]
Teacher: "Can anyone think of another way they calm down when they feel angry?"
[Allow for student contributions. Add new ideas to the list on the whiteboard if appropriate.]
Let's Practice! (Role-Play) (Slide 6)
Teacher: "Amazing ideas! Now, let's practice our calm-down power moves. I'm going to give you some 'what if' situations, and I want you to tell me or show me which calm-down strategy you would use. Remember, we're practicing not hitting, throwing, spitting, or having a tantrum.
What if... someone takes your pencil without asking? What calm-down power move would you use?"
[Call on students for answers, encourage them to briefly role-play if comfortable. Repeat with 1-2 more scenarios like: "You lose your favorite game?" or "Your friend says something mean?"]
Teacher: "You all are becoming anger busters! You're thinking about smart choices."
Cool Down: My Super Calm Plan! (Slide 7)
Teacher: "We're almost done, but before we go, I want you to make your own 'Super Calm Plan.' I'm giving you this Cool Down Activity sheet. On it, I want you to draw or write down one calm-down strategy that you will try to use next time you feel angry.
This is your personal superpower you'll keep ready!"
[Distribute the Cool Down Activity and allow students a few minutes to complete it.]
Teacher: "Would anyone like to share their 'Super Calm Plan' with the group?"
[Allow a few shares.]
Teacher: "Thank you all so much for being so brave and smart today. Talking about our feelings, especially anger, can be tough, but you did an amazing job. Remember, it's okay to feel angry, but it's important to choose safe and respectful ways to show it. You are all Anger Busters!"
Worksheet
My Anger Thermometer: What Heats Me Up?
It's okay to feel angry! Like a thermometer, your feelings can go from cool to boiling hot. Think about what makes you feel each level of anger. Draw or write about it in the spaces below.
Level 4: Fuming! (Boiling Hot!)
What makes you feel super, super angry, like you're about to explode?
Level 3: Angry (Getting Hot!)
What makes you feel really angry, but maybe not quite exploding?
Level 2: Frustrated (A Little Warm)
What makes you feel frustrated or annoyed, like things aren't going your way?
Level 1: Annoyed (Just a Little Grumpy)
What makes you feel just a little bit grumpy or bothered?
Remember, it's normal to feel these things. We're just learning to notice them!
Activity
Calm Down Strategies Cards
Cut out these cards and keep them handy! When you feel your anger growing, pick a card and try the strategy to help you calm down without hitting, throwing, spitting, or having a tantrum.
Take 3 Deep Breaths
- How: Breathe in slowly through your nose like you're smelling a flower. Hold it for a moment, then blow out slowly through your mouth like you're blowing out a candle. Do this 3 times.
Count to 10
- How: Silently (or quietly) count from 1 to 10. You can count on your fingers. Sometimes, just a little time helps your brain calm down.
Ask for a Break or Space
- How: Say, "I need a break" or "I need some space" to an adult. Find a quiet spot to be by yourself for a minute or two.
Talk About Your Feelings
- How: Find a trusted adult (teacher, parent, counselor) and tell them how you feel. Use "I statements" like, "I feel angry because..."
Get a Drink of Water
- How: Slowly drink a cup of water. The act of drinking and the coolness of the water can help you pause and reset.
Squeeze a Stress Ball
- How: Grab a stress ball (or even just squeeze your hands tight) and squeeze it hard for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat a few times. This helps release tension.
Draw or Color
- How: Get out some paper and crayons. Draw how you're feeling, or just color anything you like. Focusing on drawing can help distract your mind from anger.
Go for a Quick Walk
- How: Ask an adult if you can take a quick walk, maybe to the water fountain and back, or around the classroom. Moving your body can help release energy.
Cool Down
My Super Calm Plan! ✨
Great job learning about anger and calm-down strategies today!
Now, it's your turn to choose. What is one calm-down strategy you will try to use next time you feel angry or frustrated?
Draw a picture of yourself using it, or write down the strategy.
I will try to use this strategy:
This plan will help you be an Anger Buster and stay calm, cool, and collected!