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Stop the Hit

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Lesson Plan

Stop the Hit Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify and manage anger without hitting by practicing calm‐down strategies, using an ‘Anger Thermometer,’ and applying conflict resolution steps through guided role‐play.

Helps 4th graders recognize emotional triggers, reduce physical aggression, and develop healthier conflict resolution skills, fostering a safer classroom environment.

Audience

4th Grade Students

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Discussion, modeling, and role‐play practice.

Materials

Anger Thermometer Chart (Anger Thermometer Chart), Feelings Cue Cards (Feelings Cue Cards), Conflict Resolution Steps Poster (Conflict Resolution Steps Poster), and Role‐Play Scenario Cards (Role-Play Scenario Cards)

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Goal Setting

2 minutes

  • Briefly discuss why hitting hurts others and doesn’t solve problems
  • Explain today’s goal: use words and strategies instead of hitting

Step 2

Teach Anger Thermometer

3 minutes

  • Show Anger Thermometer Chart
  • Explain each level (calm, annoyed, angry, furious)
  • Ask student to identify when they’ve felt each level

Step 3

Present Conflict Resolution Steps

3 minutes

Step 4

Guided Role‐Play Practice

5 minutes

  • Hand student a Role‐Play Scenario Card
  • Student reads scenario and identifies feeling using Feelings Cue Cards
  • Student practices resolving conflict with teacher playing other character
  • Provide feedback and reinforce calm strategies

Step 5

Reflection & Commitment

2 minutes

  • Ask student to choose one calming strategy they’ll use when upset
  • Have student state how they’ll remember to use it (“When I feel level 3, I will…”)
  • Encourage student to practice and check in next session
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Slide Deck

Stop the Hit

Tier 3 Individual Support | 4th Grade | 15 Minutes

Welcome the student and introduce the session. Say: “Today we’re going to learn how to handle anger without hitting. By the end, you’ll have simple strategies to keep yourself and others safe.”

Session Overview

• Introduction & Goal Setting (2 min)
• Learn the Anger Thermometer (3 min)
• Practice Conflict Resolution Steps (3 min)
• Guided Role-Play (5 min)
• Reflection & Commitment (2 min)

Briefly walk through the plan for today. Emphasize that we’ll start with why we don’t hit, learn to spot our anger, practice conflict steps, role-play, then make a promise to ourselves.

Introduction & Goal Setting

• Hitting can hurt feelings and bodies
• Doesn’t solve the problem or make us feel better
• Today’s goal: Use words and calming strategies instead of hitting

Ask: “Why do you think hitting doesn’t solve our problems?” Listen, then say: “Today’s goal is to use words and calm-down strategies instead.”

Anger Thermometer

Refer to our Anger Thermometer Chart:

  1. Calm
  2. Annoyed
  3. Angry
  4. Furious

Think of times you felt each level.

Display the Anger Thermometer Chart (#anger-thermometer-chart-material). Explain levels 1–4 (calm→furious). Ask the student to share times they’ve felt each level.

Conflict Resolution Steps

Follow these steps to solve problems:

  1. Pause
  2. Name your feeling
  3. Choose a strategy
  4. Talk it out
  5. Problem-solve

Show the Conflict Resolution Steps Poster (#conflict-resolution-steps-poster-material). Walk through each step with an easy example, e.g., someone took your pencil.

Guided Role-Play Practice

  1. Pick a scenario from Role-Play Scenario Cards
  2. Choose a matching Feelings Cue Card
  3. Practice pausing, naming, talking, and solving
  4. Teacher plays the other role

Hand the student a Role-Play Scenario Card (#role-play-scenario-cards-material). Ask them to pick a Feelings Cue Card (#feelings-cue-cards-material) to match their emotion, then act out using the steps. Provide positive feedback.

Reflection & Commitment

• Choose one calming strategy (e.g., deep breaths, counting)
• Say: “When I feel level 3 anger, I will ______.”
• Practice remembering and check in next time

Ask the student: “Which calming strategy will you use when you feel level 3? How will you remember?” Record their commitment and encourage them to try it until next session.

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Worksheet

Anger Thermometer Chart

Instructions: For each level below, read the description. Then in the space provided, draw or write about a time you felt that way.

LevelDescriptionMy Example
1 (Calm)I feel relaxed, peaceful, and in control.





2 (Annoyed)I feel a little irritated or bothered.





3 (Angry)I feel upset, mad, or frustrated.





4 (Furious)I feel very angry, out of control, and heated.





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Activity

Feelings Cue Cards

Instructions: Print this page and cut along the lines to create individual emotion cue cards. When you notice a strong feeling, pick the card that best matches how you feel.

😌 Calm (Level 1)
I feel relaxed and peaceful.		😒 Annoyed (Level 2)
I feel bothered or irritated.
😠 Angry (Level 3)
I feel mad or frustrated.		😡 Furious (Level 4)
I feel very angry and out of control.

Cut along the lines above to make four separate cards.

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Reading

Conflict Resolution Steps Poster

Follow these five easy steps to solve problems without hitting:

  1. ✋ Pause
    Take a deep breath and give yourself a moment to calm down.
  2. 🗣️ Name Your Feeling
    Use words to say how you feel (e.g., “I’m angry,” “I’m upset”).
  3. 🎯 Choose a Strategy
    Pick a calm-down tool that works for you: deep breaths, counting, or taking a short break.
  4. 💬 Talk It Out
    Share your thoughts respectfully and listen to the other person’s side.
  5. 🤝 Problem-Solve
    Work together to find a fair solution that makes everyone feel heard.

Keep this poster where you can see it to remind yourself of the steps when you need them!

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Activity

Role-Play Scenario Cards

Instructions: Print and cut along the lines to create individual scenario cards. When you practice:

  1. Pick a scenario card.
  2. Choose a matching Feelings Cue Card.
  3. Use the steps on the Conflict Resolution Steps Poster to act out a calm solution.
  4. Switch roles with a partner or the teacher to practice both sides.

Scenario 1: Your classmate accidentally knocks over your crayon box and the crayons spill everywhere. You feel annoyed.

Scenario 2: A friend cuts in front of you in line when you were waiting patiently. You feel angry.

Scenario 3: During recess, someone refuses to share the jump rope and you feel frustrated.

Scenario 4: A classmate teases you about your drawing and you feel upset.

Use these practice cards to learn how to pause, name your feeling, choose a calming strategy, talk it out, and solve the problem without hitting.

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