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Anger Tamer Training

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Lesson Plan

Anger Tamer Training

Students will identify anger cues and practice a three-step 'Calm-Down Code'—breathe deep, count to five, and squeeze hands—to manage big feelings independently.

Teaching self-regulation early helps reduce classroom disruptions, supports positive peer interactions, and gives students a toolkit to handle strong emotions constructively.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Model, practice, and reinforce a simple calm-down routine.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Purpose

2 minutes

  • Greet students and gather them in a circle
  • State the lesson goal: "Today we’ll learn how to calm down when we feel angry!"
  • Ask: "What does being angry feel like in your body?" and collect 2–3 responses

Step 2

Identify Anger Cues

3 minutes

  • Show Emotions Picture Cards one at a time
  • Ask students to raise their hand when they see an angry face
  • Briefly discuss common triggers (e.g., someone taking your toy)
  • Emphasize that everyone feels anger sometimes

Step 3

Introduce Calm-Down Code

4 minutes

  • Reveal the Calm-Down Code Chart
  • Explain each step: 1) Breathe deep, 2) Count to five, 3) Squeeze hands tight
  • Model the sequence slowly, narrating your actions
  • Have students repeat each step aloud together

Step 4

Model & Practice

4 minutes

  • Describe a simple scenario (e.g., waiting for turn)
  • Model becoming upset, then use Calm-Down Code to recover
  • Distribute Breathing Exercise Handout
  • Pair students; have them role-play feeling angry and using the code

Step 5

Review & Close

2 minutes

  • Gather students back as a group
  • Quickly recap the three steps of the Calm-Down Code
  • Do a thumb-check: thumbs up if they feel ready to try it, sideways if they need more practice
  • Encourage them to use the code whenever anger pops up
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Slide Deck

Welcome to the Calm-Down Code

Today we’re going to learn how to calm down when we feel angry!

Greet students warmly and gather them in a circle.
Say: “Today we’re going to learn how to calm down when we feel angry!”
Ask: “What does anger feel like in your body?” Collect a couple responses.

What Does Anger Feel Like?

😡 🔥 💥
Anger can feel hot in your chest, make your face red, or your fists tight.

Show the angry-face emojis on the slide.
Ask: “Where do you feel anger in your body? How does your face look?”
Encourage 2–3 students to share.

Meet the Calm-Down Code

  1. Breathe Deep 🧘
  2. Count to Five 🔢
  3. Squeeze Hands 🤲

Introduce the three steps one at a time.
You can point to each emoji or step as you explain.
Have students repeat the name of each step aloud.

Let’s Model the Code

  1. Breathe in… and out 🧘
  2. Count: 1…2…3…4…5 🔢
  3. Squeeze your hands tight 🤲

Model a scenario: “Imagine you’re waiting for your turn at the slide and you feel upset.”
Show how you take a deep breath, count to five quietly, and squeeze your hands.
Then invite students to try together once.

Your Turn to Practice

Scenario: Your friend takes your toy.
Use the Calm-Down Code to calm your feelings!

Pair students and give them a simple prompt (e.g., “Your friend takes your toy”).
Ask them to role-play feeling angry and then use the Calm-Down Code together.

Great Job!

Remember:

  1. Breathe Deep
  2. Count to Five
  3. Squeeze Hands

You can do it anytime you feel angry!

Bring everyone back together.
Recap: “What are the three steps of our Calm-Down Code?”
Do a quick thumb check: 👍 if ready to try, ➖ if you want more practice.
Encourage them to use the code whenever they feel angry.

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Worksheet

Calm-Down Code Worksheet

Use your Calm-Down Code Chart to help you with these activities.

1. Color the Steps

🧘 Breathe Deep



🔢 Count to Five



🤲 Squeeze Hands


2. Match the Steps

Write the letter of the correct action next to each step.

  1. 🧘 Breathe Deep: ____

  2. 🔢 Count to Five: ____

  3. 🤲 Squeeze Hands: ____

A. Count slowly to five

B. Squeeze your hands tight

C. Take a deep breath

3. Draw a Calm-Down Moment

Draw yourself using the Calm-Down Code when you feel angry.












4. My Favorite Step

Which step do you like the most? Why?






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Worksheet

Emotions Picture Cards

Print and cut along the lines to create individual cards. Use them to help identify or share your feelings during class activities.

Happy
😀

Sad
😢

Angry
😡

Surprised
😮

Scared
😱

Calm
😌

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Worksheet

Breathing Exercise Handout

Follow these simple steps to help your body calm down when you feel upset or angry.

  1. Sit up tall in your chair with your feet on the floor.
  2. Place one hand on your belly and one hand on your chest.
  3. Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of three. Feel your belly push out as it fills with air.
  4. Hold your breath for a count of two.
  5. Breathe out slowly through your mouth for a count of three. Feel your belly fall as the air leaves.
  6. Repeat steps 3–5 three times.

Practice Your Breaths

Breath 1: How did your belly move when you breathed in and out?
_______________________________________________


Breath 2: How did your belly move when you breathed in and out?
_______________________________________________


Breath 3: How did your belly move when you breathed in and out?
_______________________________________________


How I Feel Now

After doing your deep breaths, draw a face below to show how calm you feel.







Then write a few words: I feel ________ because ________.





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