Anger
COMPETENCY: Interpersonal Effectiveness
GOAL: Identify traits and behaviors that are positive and negative
GRADE LEVEL: 2 or 3rd GROUP SIZE: 22 – 25 TIME: 30 minutes
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Book: The Very Angry Day That Amy Didn’t Have by Lawrence Shapiro.
ISBN# 1-882732-18-9
Beaker with cork Baking Soda (measured) Vinegar (measured)
Cookie sheet Paper towels
PROCEDURE: Discuss positive and negative attitudes. Ask the children what are positive and negative attitudes. Do they know people with positive attitudes? How do they act? Then tell them you have a story about two very different girls that you want to share with them. After reading the story, ask which girl would you most likely want for your friend? Talk about the story and how girls reacted differently to each situation. Also discuss what the saying, “The straw that broke the camel’s back,” means.
Read the following story or make up your own, adding baking soda to the beaker everytime something negative happens to the child.
Taylor got up late; the alarm clock didn’t go off! (Add some soda to the beaker) Taylor’s Mom was also running late and didn’t have time to make breakfast, (add more soda). When Taylor couldn’t find his favorite shirt, he asked Mom. Mom said that everything that was in the clothes basket had been washed and was in the closet. Taylor ran back to his room and found his favorite shirt, under the bed, and the shirt was dirty, (add more soda). Taylor’s friend was supposed to pick him up to ride to school. His friend called at the last minute, the car wouldn’t start. Taylor would have to walk to school, (add soda). Taylor opened the front door; it was raining outside, (add more soda). On the walk to school, a car splashed in the puddle next to the sidewalk, getting Taylor’s pants wet, (add soda). When Taylor arrived at school, he was tardy and had to get a tardy slip (add soda). Upon entering the classroom Taylor’s teacher gave him a cross look for being late and missing directions (add soda). When Taylor finally got to eat lunch he found out that he was out of lunch money and had to eat a peanut butter sandwich instead of his favorite lunch, tacos (add soda). When Taylor was eating, his friend leaned over and spilled Taylor’s milk all over the table (add soda). Taylor spent the next 5 minutes cleaning up the table. When Taylor walked home, he noticed that he had forgotten his key and had to ring the doorbell. Taylor’s Mom answered the door, yelling at him, he woke up the baby by ringing the doorbell. (Add Soda and quickly put on the cork). You need to practice measuring the soda and vinegar before doing this activity.
Discuss what happened and what had been the straw that broke the camel’s back, in the story about Taylor. Remind students that if we talk about what is making us angry we let some of the anger out each time, and it doesn’t build up as in the story with Taylor.
Other ways to get anger out are:
Exercise: running, playing with your dog, riding bicycles, playing basketball, soccer, etc.
Give yourself a time out
Lay on your bed and listen to music
Take slow deep breaths
Arlene Carnes
Plano ISD