Lesson Plan
Anger & Sharing: Cool Down, Calm On!
Students will learn to identify healthy coping strategies for managing anger and recognize the importance of sharing resources and feelings with others, moving away from aggressive actions and possessiveness.
This lesson is vital for 7th-grade students as it equips them with essential life skills for emotional regulation and positive social interactions. By learning to manage anger constructively and embrace sharing, students can build healthier relationships, resolve conflicts peacefully, and contribute to a more positive classroom and community environment.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 Minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, practical strategies, and engaging activities.
Materials
Smartboard or Projector, Anger & Sharing Slide Deck, Cool Down, Calm On! Worksheet, Sharing Solutions Activity Cards, and Emotion Charades Game Cards
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Anger & Sharing Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
* Print copies of the Cool Down, Calm On! Worksheet for each student.
* Prepare the Sharing Solutions Activity Cards by cutting them out.
* Prepare the Emotion Charades Game Cards by cutting them out.
* Ensure the projector or smartboard is set up for the slide deck presentation.
* Review all generated materials to ensure they meet your classroom's specific needs.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up: What's Your Volcano?
5 minutes
- Display Slide 1 and Slide 2 of the Anger & Sharing Slide Deck.
* Begin by asking students: "What does anger feel like in your body? Imagine your anger is a volcano. What happens when it erupts?"
* Facilitate a brief discussion, encouraging students to share their initial thoughts on anger and its effects. Emphasize that anger is a normal emotion, but how we express it matters.
* Transition to introducing the lesson objectives from Slide 3.
Step 2
Understanding Anger: Healthy Outlets
7 minutes
- Present Slide 4 and Slide 5 of the Anger & Sharing Slide Deck focusing on healthy ways to express anger.
* Use the Anger & Sharing Slide Deck to guide a discussion on different coping mechanisms (e.g., deep breaths, talking it out, taking a break, exercise).
* Distribute the Cool Down, Calm On! Worksheet. Have students complete the first section, identifying personal healthy coping strategies.
* Briefly share some examples as a class.
Step 3
Sharing & Empathy: Connecting the Dots
8 minutes
- Transition to the topic of sharing using Slide 6 and Slide 7 of the Anger & Sharing Slide Deck.
* Discuss why sharing is important, not just physical items, but also thoughts and feelings (sharing our voice instead of hitting).
* Divide students into small groups. Distribute the Sharing Solutions Activity Cards.
* Each group will pick a card and discuss how they would resolve the sharing conflict, focusing on empathy and communication. Provide 3-4 minutes for group discussion and then have groups briefly share their solutions.
Step 4
Practice & Application: Emotion Charades
7 minutes
- Explain the Emotion Charades Game as shown on Slide 8 of the Anger & Sharing Slide Deck.
* Have students act out different emotions (including anger, but also frustration, happiness, calm) without speaking, and have their classmates guess the emotion. Emphasize acting out healthy expressions of anger and other feelings.
* This helps students recognize emotions in themselves and others and practice expressing them appropriately.
Step 5
Conclusion & Reflection: My Calm Kit
3 minutes
- Display Slide 9 of the Anger & Sharing Slide Deck.
* Ask students to complete the final section of their Cool Down, Calm On! Worksheet, reflecting on what they learned and creating a personal 'calm kit' of strategies.
* Reiterate the main takeaways: anger is okay, hitting is not, and sharing helps everyone. Emphasize that practicing healthy coping mechanisms and sharing improves well-being and relationships.
* Thank students for their participation.
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Slide Deck
Welcome! What is Anger?
What does anger feel like in your body?
Imagine your anger is a volcano. What happens when it erupts?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask the question on the slide to prompt initial thoughts about anger. Give students a moment to think or briefly discuss with a neighbor.
Anger: A Normal Emotion
Anger is a powerful emotion we all experience.
It's okay to feel angry, but it's how we respond to anger that truly matters.
Acknowledge student responses. Emphasize that anger is a normal human emotion. The goal isn't to not feel angry, but to learn how to express it in healthy ways that don't hurt ourselves or others.
Today's Mission: Master Your Emotions!
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
* Identify healthy ways to express anger.
* Understand why sharing (resources and feelings) is important.
* Practice positive communication and empathy.
Clearly state the learning objectives for today's lesson. This helps students understand what they will gain from the session.
Cool Down Strategies
When anger starts to build, how can we cool down?
* Deep Breaths: Count to 10 slowly.
* Talk it Out: Use "I" statements.
* Take a Break: Step away from the situation.
* Physical Activity: Go for a walk, jump.
* Journaling or Drawing: Express your feelings creatively.
Introduce healthy coping strategies. Ask students if they already use any of these or if they can think of others. Connect this to the idea of 'cooling down' the volcano.
Your Personal Calm Kit
On your Cool Down, Calm On! Worksheet, list some strategies you can use when you feel angry.
What works best for you?
Let's share a few ideas as a class.
Explain the first part of the worksheet. Give them a few minutes to fill in their personal strategies. Circulate and offer help if needed.
Sharing: More Than Just Toys
Sharing isn't just about splitting a snack or lending a pencil.
It's also about:
* Sharing your voice instead of hitting.
* Sharing your feelings respectfully.
* Sharing space and opportunities.
Why is sharing so important for friendships and teamwork?
Transition to sharing. Explain that sharing isn't just about objects, but also feelings and ideas. Connect this to conflict resolution.
Sharing Solutions Activity
In your groups, you'll get a scenario card.
Discuss:
* What's the problem?
* How can the characters share or resolve the conflict fairly?
* What emotions might each person be feeling?
Be ready to share your group's solution!
Explain the group activity. Distribute the cards and monitor group discussions. Encourage active listening and empathetic responses.
Game Time: Emotion Charades!
Let's put our emotion-reading skills to the test!
* One person acts out an emotion (e.g., angry, happy, frustrated, calm).
* No talking! Use only your body and facial expressions.
* Classmates guess the emotion.
* Remember to act out healthy ways of expressing even tough emotions like anger!
Introduce the game. Explain the rules clearly. Emphasize acting out healthy expressions of emotions. This is a fun way to reinforce emotional literacy.
Reflection & Next Steps
On your Cool Down, Calm On! Worksheet, reflect on what you learned today.
* What is one new strategy you'll try?
* How will you practice sharing your voice?
Remember: Anger is normal, but hurting others is not. Sharing and healthy communication build strong connections!
Bring it all together. Have students complete the final reflection on their worksheet. Reinforce the key messages of the lesson.
Worksheet
Cool Down, Calm On! Your Guide to Healthy Emotions
Name: _____________________________
Date: ______________________________
Part 1: My Anger Volcano
Anger is a natural emotion. It's like a volcano that can erupt if we don't manage it well. What makes your volcano rumble? Think about things that make you feel angry or frustrated.
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List three things that often make you feel angry or upset:
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When you start to feel angry, what does it feel like in your body? (e.g., tight chest, hot face, clenched fists)
Part 2: My Calm Kit - Healthy Coping Strategies
Instead of letting your volcano erupt in ways that hurt yourself or others (like hitting or yelling), we can use strategies to cool down. These are your "Calm Kit" tools!
-
Here are some strategies. Circle or highlight the ones you think would work best for you:
- Take 5 deep breaths (smell the flower, blow out the candle)
- Count slowly to 10 (or 20!)
- Walk away from the situation and take a break
- Talk to a trusted adult or friend using "I feel..." statements
- Listen to music
- Draw or doodle
- Go for a quick walk or do some jumping jacks
- Write in a journal
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Add one more healthy coping strategy you use or want to try:
-
Imagine you feel your anger volcano starting to rumble. What is the first strategy from your Calm Kit you would use?
Part 3: Sharing My Voice & Space
Sometimes anger comes from not sharing, or feeling like we're not being heard. Hitting or keeping everything to yourself doesn't solve problems.
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Why is it important to share your ideas, feelings, and sometimes even belongings with others?
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Instead of hitting or getting angry when you want something someone else has, what can you say or do?
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What is one way you can practice sharing your voice or being more open with others this week?
Activity
Sharing Solutions Activity Cards
Instructions: Cut out each card. In your small groups, pick a card and discuss the scenario. How would you resolve the conflict? What emotions might each person be feeling? How can they share or find a fair solution?
Scenario 1: The Group Project Planner
Sarah has a really cool digital planner that she loves using for group projects. It helps keep everything organized! Mike wants to use it for his part of the project, but Sarah is worried he might mess it up or not give it back in time for her to use it for another class. Mike gets frustrated and says, "It's just a planner! Why can't you share?"
Discussion Points:
* What is Sarah feeling? What is Mike feeling?
* How can they communicate their needs respectfully?
* What are some ways they could both use the planner, or find an alternative solution?
Scenario 2: The Only Soccer Ball
During recess, there's only one good soccer ball available. Leo and Daniel both want to use it for their own games. Leo grabbed it first, but Daniel argues that he had it yesterday. They start to argue loudly, and Daniel pushes Leo to try and get the ball.
Discussion Points:
* What emotions are Leo and Daniel experiencing?
* How could they share the ball fairly?
* What alternative activities could they consider?
* What should Daniel have done instead of pushing?
Scenario 3: The Best Seat
In the library, there's a comfy beanbag chair that everyone loves. Emily usually gets there early to claim it. Today, Alex got there first and is sitting in it. Emily walks over, stands awkwardly, and then loudly sighs, making Alex feel uncomfortable. Emily thinks Alex should know it's
Game
Emotion Charades Game Cards
Instructions: Cut out each card. One student will pick a card and act out the emotion without speaking. The goal is for classmates to guess the emotion. Remember to act out healthy ways of expressing even challenging emotions!
ANGRY
(Show healthy expression: taking a deep breath, walking away calmly)
FRUSTRATED
(Show healthy expression: shrugging, looking thoughtfully at a problem)
HAPPY
(Show healthy expression: smiling, jumping for joy)
CALM
(Show healthy expression: relaxed posture, gentle smile)
SAD
(Show healthy expression: quiet reflection, a thoughtful gaze)
SURPRISED
(Show healthy expression: wide eyes, an open mouth)
CONFUSED
(Show healthy expression: head tilt, furrowed brow)
EXCITED
(Show healthy expression: bouncing lightly, clapping hands)
WORRIED
(Show healthy expression: a pensive look, hands clasped)
GRATEFUL
(Show healthy expression: hand over heart, warm smile)
BRAVE
(Show healthy expression: standing tall, determined look)
JEALOUS
(Show healthy expression: looking away, thoughtful expression, not aggressive)