Anger Ninja Lesson Script

Total Time: 30 minutes
Link: Anger Ninja Slide Deck

1. Introduction & Slide 1 (Title) (2 minutes)

Teacher shows Slide 1: "Anger Ninja Skills"

Teacher says:
“Hi there! I’m your Anger Ninja Sensei. Today, over the next 30 minutes, you’ll master three powerful tools to stay calm and focused—even when you feel like exploding. By the end, you’ll be an official Anger Ninja!”
Pause for a moment.
“Are you ready? Let’s begin!”

2. Session Objectives & Slide 2 (1 minute)

Teacher shows Slide 2: "Session Objectives"

Teacher says:
“First, let’s look at our objectives. We will:

1. Identify common anger triggers.
2. Practice deep breathing.
3. Learn the Stop-and-Think strategy.
4. Do a quick emotion check-in.
   These tools will help you take charge of your feelings instead of letting them take charge of you!”

3. Anger Ninja Reading & Check-In (Slide 3) (5 minutes)

Teacher shows Slide 3: "Anger Ninja Reading"

Teacher says:
“Here’s Maya’s story. Listen carefully:”

Read slide text:
“When Maya missed her bus, she felt her face heat up and her fists clench. She wanted to yell at her little brother for being noisy. Instead, she paused and took a breath before choosing what to do next.”

Teacher asks:
“1. What do you think Maya was feeling?”
Wait for response.
“2. Have you ever felt like that? Can you tell me about a time?”
Wait and nod.

Teacher says:
“Great. Now let’s do a quick emotion check-in for you.”
Hand student the Anger Check-Ins Worksheet.

Teacher prompts:
“On your worksheet, write or circle how angry you feel right now, from 1 (calm) to 5 (furious).”

Teacher waits as student marks intensity.

Teacher says:
“Awesome. You’re already practicing checking in—just like a true Ninja!”

4. Skill 1: Deep Breathing (Slide 4) (4 minutes)

Teacher shows Slide 4: "Skill 1: Deep Breathing"

Teacher says:
“Let’s learn our first tool: Deep Breathing. Ninjas breathe like dragons—slow and strong!”

Teacher models:
“1. Breathe in through your nose for three seconds… ready? 1…2…3.
Hold for one second… 1.
Exhale through your mouth for three seconds… 1…2…3.
Repeat that two more times with me.”

Teacher and student count aloud together three breaths.

Teacher says:
“How do you feel now? A little calmer? This breath is your first Ninja weapon.”

5. Skill 2: Stop-and-Think (Slide 5) (4 minutes)

Teacher shows Slide 5: "Skill 2: Stop-and-Think"

Teacher says:
“Now, our second tool is Stop-and-Think. That’s S-T-O-P!”

Teacher explains:
“S—STOP: Freeze for a moment.
T—THINK: Name your feeling.
C—CHOOSE: Decide what action you want to take.”

Teacher role-models with a scenario:
“Imagine someone spilled water on your drawing. First, STOP—pause.
Then THINK—‘I’m annoyed because my drawing got ruined.’
Finally, CHOOSE—‘I will say, “It’s okay,” and then ask for help wiping it up.’”

Teacher asks:
“Can you tell me one thing you might CHOOSE in that situation?”
Wait for student answer and praise their idea.

6. Skill 3: Emotion Check-In (Slide 6) (4 minutes)

Teacher shows Slide 6: "Skill 3: Emotion Check-In"

Teacher says:
“Our third tool is a quick Emotion Check-In. Ninjas always know exactly how strong their feelings are.”

Teacher guides:
“1. Pause and ask yourself, ‘How am I feeling right now?’
2. Rate your feeling on a scale from 1 (calm) to 5 (furious).
3. Pick the right Ninja tool based on how strong you feel.”

Teacher practices:
“Right now, I’m at a 2—just a little frustrated—so I’d use a quick belly breath. What about you?”
Wait for the student to answer and encourage.

7. Guided Practice Scenarios (no slide) (8 minutes)

Teacher says:
“Time to practice! I have three quick scenarios. After I read each one, you’ll pick the tool, do it, and tell me why.”

Scenario 1:
“Your friend accidentally broke your favorite pencil. What’s your first step?”
Wait for student: prompt Stop-and-Think or breathing.
If breathing: lead them through one breath.
If Stop-and-Think: have them name feeling and choose.

Scenario 2:
“You missed lunch and you’re hungry. Your stomach growls during a test. What tool do you use?”
Guide them to rate intensity and pick a tool.

Scenario 3:
“A classmate teases you in the hallway. You feel your face get hot. What do you do next?”
Observe and support each step.

After each scenario, praise:
“Nice job stopping to think first—that’s Ninja-level control!”

8. Game Activity (Slide 7) (5 minutes)

Teacher shows Slide 7: "Practice & Game Time"

Teacher says:
“Let’s play the Anger Management Game! You’ll draw a scenario card, use your Ninja tools, and earn a token for each correct step.”

Teacher hands out game cards from Anger Management Game.

Teacher and student play 2–3 rounds:

1. Student reads or listens to the scenario.
2. Student says which tool to use.
3. Student models breathing or stops to think out loud.
   Each success = 1 ninja token!

Teacher encourages:
“Use the exact steps we practiced—breathe, pause & think, check in!”

9. Reflection, Quiz & Closing (Slide 8) (2 minutes)

Teacher shows Slide 8: "Ninja Recap"

Teacher asks:
“Which tool felt most helpful, and why?”

Listen and affirm.

Teacher says:
“Now let’s do a super-quick quiz.”
Hand the student the Anger Ninja Quiz.

Teacher prompts:
“Answer just two questions:

1. Name our three Ninja tools.
2. Pick one scenario you’d use them in.
   You have one minute—go!”

Teacher collects the quiz.

Teacher concludes:
“Fantastic job today! Remember: Breathe, Pause & Think, Check In. You are now an official Anger Ninja—use these skills whenever you feel upset. I’m proud of you!”

End of Script

Anger Check-Ins Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________

1. Rate Your Anger

Circle how angry you feel right now (1 = calm, 5 = furious):

1  2  3  4  5

Why do you feel this way?

2. Identify Your Triggers

List three situations that make you feel angry:

1. ________________________________________
   
   
2. ________________________________________
   
   
3. ________________________________________
   
   

3. Choose Your Ninja Tool

For each trigger above, write which Ninja tool you’d use (Deep Breathing, Stop-and-Think, or Emotion Check-In):

1. Trigger: _________________________________________
   Tool: ___________________________________________
   
   
   
2. Trigger: _________________________________________
   Tool: ___________________________________________
   
   
   
3. Trigger: _________________________________________
   Tool: ___________________________________________
   
   
   

4. My Action Plan

If I notice I'm at a 4 or 5 in anger intensity in the future, I will:

Tip: Remember your Ninja steps—Breathe, Pause & Think, and Check In—to stay calm and in control!

Anger Ninja Reading Passage

Maya was excited for art class—she’d been working on a bright, colorful poster all week. But as she walked in, she saw that someone had accidentally spilled water and ruined part of her painting. Her heart pounded and her cheeks burned. She felt like shouting, “Why did you do that?!” and stamping her feet.

Instead of reacting right away, Maya stopped and took a breath. She noticed her hands were shaking and her face was hot. In her mind, she counted to three: 1…2…3. Then she quietly said, “It’s okay—accidents happen,” and found a clean paper towel to blot the water.

After she calmed down, Maya talked to her classmate. She explained how much the poster meant to her and asked for help fixing the wet paper. By pausing and breathing first, she turned her anger into a chance to solve the problem—and kept her day from getting worse.

Anger Reflection Discussion Guide

Purpose: Help the student review what they learned, connect strategies to real situations, and build a plan for using their Ninja tools in the future.

Reflection Questions

1. Which Ninja tool did you find most helpful today, and why?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Think about a time you felt angry. What could you do differently using your Ninja tools?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Which anger trigger on your Anger Check-Ins Worksheet do you want to practice with first, and which tool will you use?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. How will you remind yourself to Breathe, Pause & Think next time you feel upset?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Who can help you practice these skills outside of our session?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. How will you know you’re becoming an Anger Ninja?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Follow-Up Prompts for the Teacher

• “Can you tell me more about that?”
• “What did you notice in your body when you used the tool?”
• “How did you feel afterward compared to before?”
• “What could get in the way of using these tools? How can you handle that?”
   
   
  Use this guide to help the student make concrete plans, celebrate successes, and troubleshoot challenges as they practice their Anger Ninja Skills.

Stop-and-Think Activity

Purpose: Practice using the Stop-and-Think strategy to manage big feelings and choose helpful actions.

How to Use:

1. STOP: Freeze for a moment and take a deep breath.
2. THINK: Name your feeling and why you feel it.
3. CHOOSE: Decide on a calm, constructive next step.

Steps

1. STOP: Pause and breathe.
   
   
2. THINK: What emotion am I feeling? Why?
   
   
3. CHOOSE: What action will help me feel calm or solve the problem?
   
   
   

Practice Scenarios

Scenario 1: Someone bumps into you and knocks over your pencil case.

STOP:


THINK:


CHOOSE:

Scenario 2: You realize you left your library book at home and it’s due today.

STOP:


THINK:


CHOOSE:

Scenario 3: Your sibling teases you while you’re doing homework.

STOP:


THINK:


CHOOSE:

Reflection: Which step was easiest? Which was hardest? How did pausing first help you think clearly?

Anger Management Game

Purpose: Reinforce Ninja tools (Deep Breathing, Stop-and-Think, Emotion Check-In) in a fun, interactive way.

Materials:

• Scenario cards (shuffle and place face-down)
• Ninja tokens (paper stars, counters, or small stickers)

How to Play

1. Draw one scenario card.
2. Read the card aloud or have the teacher read it.
3. Choose which Ninja tool you’ll use first (Breathe, Stop-and-Think, or Check-In).
4. Act out the step:
   • Deep Breathing: Model one full breath (inhale-hold-exhale).
   • Stop-and-Think: Say “STOP,” name your feeling, and state your calm choice.
   • Emotion Check-In: Rate your anger (1–5) and pick next tool.
5. If you use the correct steps and can explain why, earn 1 ninja token!
6. Return the card to the bottom of the deck and draw again until time runs out.
    
    

Scenario Cards (Examples)

Card 1: Your classmate accidentally knocks over your water bottle and drenches your homework.
Card 2: You’re in line for lunch and someone cuts in front of you.
Card 3: You find out you got a lower score on a quiz than you expected.
Card 4: Your little sibling takes your tablet without asking.
Card 5: A friend makes fun of your new haircut at recess.
Card 6: You finish a project late because you lost a key supply.

(Feel free to add more scenarios based on what the student experiences.)

Winning the Game

• Each correct use of a Ninja tool = 1 ninja token.
• At the end of the round, count your tokens.
• Celebrate your tokens as proof you’re mastering Anger Ninja Skills!
 
 
Tip for Teacher: Offer guidance if the student chooses an ineffective step. Encourage precise naming of the feeling and clear choices.

Ready…Set…NINJA!