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Anger Under Control

Lesson Plan

Anger Management Plan

Students will identify personal anger triggers, practice two coping strategies, and create a personalized anger management plan for real-life use.

Managing anger builds emotional regulation, reduces behavioral incidents, and strengthens peer relationships, supporting a positive learning environment.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided activities with reflection and personalized planning.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Identify Anger Triggers

5 minutes

  • Explain the session’s goal: understanding and managing anger.
  • Distribute the Anger Triggers Worksheet.
  • Ask the student to recall and list three recent situations that made them angry.
  • Have the student rate each trigger’s intensity on a scale of 1–5 using the worksheet.
  • Use the timer to keep the discussion focused.

Step 2

Practice Coping Strategies

10 minutes

  • Introduce the Coping Strategies Chart.
  • Model two strategies (e.g., deep breathing, counting backward).
  • Invite the student to practice each strategy while you observe.
  • Ask the student to select their two preferred strategies and note them on the chart.
  • Use the timer to allocate 3–4 minutes per strategy.

Step 3

Develop Personalized Plan

10 minutes

  • Provide the Personalized Anger Management Plan Template.
  • Guide the student to fill in:
    • A trigger from their worksheet.
    • The two chosen coping strategies.
    • Action steps to implement each strategy when anger arises.
    • A calming reminder phrase (e.g., “Pause and Breathe”).
  • Encourage neat, clear entries to make the plan easy to follow.

Step 4

Reflection and Feedback

5 minutes

  • Review the completed plan together.
  • Ask the student how confident they feel about using each strategy.
  • Provide positive feedback and gentle suggestions for improvement.
  • Agree on a brief follow-up check-in to discuss usage and challenges.
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Slide Deck

Anger Under Control

Welcome! Today we’ll learn to:
• Identify what makes us angry
• Practice calming strategies
• Create a personalized anger management plan

Welcome the student and introduce the session. Outline today’s agenda: identifying triggers, practicing coping strategies, creating a plan, and reflecting.

Why Manage Anger?

• Stay calm in tough situations
• Make better decisions
• Get along with friends and family
• Feel in control of your emotions

Explain why it’s helpful to manage anger. Use relatable examples (e.g., staying calm during tests or disagreements with friends).

Identify Your Triggers

Use the Anger Triggers Worksheet to:

  1. List 3 situations that made you angry
  2. Rate each anger intensity (1–5)

Distribute the Anger Triggers Worksheet. Guide the student to list three recent anger-provoking situations and rate each from 1–5.

Coping Strategies Overview

Let’s explore ways to calm down:
• Deep breathing
• Counting backward
• Taking a short walk
• Listening to music

Choose two to practice.

Introduce the Coping Strategies Chart. Briefly describe options, then ask the student to pick two they’d like to try.

Practice: Deep Breathing

  1. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts
  2. Hold for 2 counts
  3. Exhale through your mouth for 6 counts
  4. Repeat 5 times

Model deep breathing step by step, counting out loud. Encourage the student to follow along and give gentle corrections.

Practice: Counting Backwards

  1. Pick a number between 50–100
  2. Slowly count backward by 1 or 3
  3. Keep your mind focused on the numbers
  4. Stop when you feel calmer

Ask the student to select a starting number and practice. Remind them to focus only on the numbers as they count down.

Create Your Plan

Use the Personalized Anger Management Plan Template to fill in:

  1. A trigger from your worksheet
  2. Your two chosen strategies
  3. Action steps for each strategy
  4. A calming reminder phrase (e.g., “Pause and Breathe”)

Hand out the Personalized Anger Management Plan Template. Walk through each section to ensure understanding.

Reflection & Next Steps

• Confidence rating (1–5)
• When will you try these strategies?
• Follow-up check-in in one week

Ask the student to rate their confidence and set a plan for real-life use. Schedule a brief follow-up in one week.

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Worksheet

Anger Triggers Worksheet

Instructions:
Recall three situations that made you angry. Complete the prompts for each situation. Use the space below to write your answers. You’ll use this information later in your Personalized Anger Management Plan Template.

Situation 1

Describe the situation:











When did it happen? (date/time):



Intensity of anger (1 = low, 5 = high):


What feelings did you notice in your body?




What thoughts went through your mind?



Situation 2

Describe the situation:











When did it happen? (date/time):



Intensity of anger (1 = low, 5 = high):


What feelings did you notice in your body?




What thoughts went through your mind?



Situation 3

Describe the situation:











When did it happen? (date/time):



Intensity of anger (1 = low, 5 = high):


What feelings did you notice in your body?




What thoughts went through your mind?



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Worksheet

Coping Strategies Chart

Instructions:
Try the coping strategies below. Spend 3–4 minutes practicing each one. After practicing, rate how helpful it was and jot down any observations. You’ll choose your two favorites to include in your personalized plan.

Strategy 1: Deep Breathing

Steps:

  1. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 counts
  2. Hold for 2 counts
  3. Exhale through your mouth for 6 counts
  4. Repeat 5 times

Practice Notes:









Helpfulness (1 = Not helpful, 5 = Very helpful):

Observations:









Strategy 2: Counting Backward

Steps:

  1. Pick a number between 50–100
  2. Slowly count backward by 1 or 3
  3. Focus only on the numbers
  4. Stop when you feel calmer

Practice Notes:









Helpfulness (1–5):

Observations:









Strategy 3: Short Walk

Steps:

  1. Stand up and walk slowly around the room or outside
  2. Pay attention to your surroundings
  3. Take deep breaths while walking

Practice Notes:









Helpfulness (1–5):

Observations:









Strategy 4: Listening to Music

Steps:

  1. Choose a calming song or instrumental track
  2. Sit quietly and listen for the full song
  3. Breathe naturally and let your mind relax

Practice Notes:









Helpfulness (1–5):

Observations:









You can also note any other strategies you’d like to try:

Strategy Name: ______________________


Steps:




Practice Notes:




Helpfulness (1–5):


Observations:



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Worksheet

Personalized Anger Management Plan Template

Instructions:
Using your completed Anger Triggers Worksheet and Coping Strategies Chart, fill out the plan below. Be as detailed as you can so you’ll know exactly what to do when you feel angry.

My Trigger (Choose one)

Describe the situation that typically makes me angry:










Coping Strategy 1

Name of strategy:


Action Steps:








Coping Strategy 2

Name of strategy:


Action Steps:








My Calming Reminder Phrase

Write a short phrase or mantra you can say to yourself when you notice anger rising:





Confidence & Follow-Up

Confidence rating (1 = not confident, 5 = very confident):

When and where will I use this plan?



Date for follow-up check-in:

Keep this plan somewhere you can see it (locker, notebook, phone) and practice it whenever you feel anger building.

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