Teaching Elementary School Health Education/Mental and Emotional Health/Anger Management Skills

Anger is an emotional that we do not want in our classrooms. It is an emotion that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense rage that is often accompanied by physiological changes that prepare the body for fighting. Our students may have anger built up inside causing hidden anger, which is accompanied by negative, cruel remarks to others, being sarcastic, procrastinating, blowing up easily, being bored, and sighing frequently. We must teach our students anger management skills. They are healthful ways to control and express anger. Click on this link for a lesson dealing with anger management skills and how to address them. Anger Management Teaching the following skills will help your students to manage anger

• Keep an anger self-inventory
• Use self statements to control anger
• Use I-messages instead of You-messages
• Write a letter
• Write in a journal
• Reduce the effects of anger cues with physical activity
• Use safe physical actions to blow off steam
• Keep a sense of humor
• Rehearse what to do in situations that you know your anger triggers
• Talk with a parent or mentor