Lesson Plan

Session 1: Meet the Dragon

Support personalized learning by helping first graders recognize and manage anger using the 'dragon' metaphor with small group interactions.

Using small groups provides extra support and personalized attention to students who need additional help identifying and managing anger.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 Minutes

Step 1

Small Group Introduction and Storytelling

10 Minutes

Step 2

Guided Activity: Recognizing Anger in Groups

10 Minutes

Step 3

Group Reflection and Wrap-up

10 Minutes

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Slide Deck

Session 1: Meet the Dragon

Introduce the session with excitement. Explain the title and set the stage for learning about anger using the metaphor of a dragon.

Meet the Dragon: Our Anger Friend?

Use interactive storytelling to illustrate the concept of the dragon. Encourage students to imagine what the dragon may look like and how it behaves. Use images or puppets as visual aids.

Recognizing Anger

Display the Emotion Face Chart. Ask students to mimic the facial expressions as you call out different emotions, then focus on the anger face. Use this slide as an interactive activity.

Reflection Time

Wrap-up and reflection. Invite students to share one thing they learned about anger and how our dragon appears. Emphasize that it's okay to feel anger and share ways we can calm our 'dragon'.

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Lesson Plan

Session 2: Understanding Triggers

Students will identify common anger triggers and learn strategies to manage these triggers with personalized support in small groups.

Small group interactions allow for personalized attention, helping students recognize early anger signs and practice calm responses before emotions escalate.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 Minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Discussion in Small Groups

10 Minutes

Step 2

Interactive Activity: Trigger Role-Play in Groups

10 Minutes

Step 3

Group Reflection and Wrap-Up

10 Minutes

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Slide Deck

Session 2: Understanding Triggers

Kick off the session by introducing the idea of triggers that can make us feel angry. Explain the concept in simple terms, making it relatable to first graders.

What is a Trigger?

Define what a trigger is. Use simple examples that are age-appropriate, such as losing a game or feeling left out. Engage the students by asking if they've experienced similar situations.

Interactive Trigger Role-Play

Explain the role-playing activity. Divide students into small groups to act out common trigger scenarios (use visual aids if possible). Encourage them to think about how they can respond calmly when a trigger happens.

Reflection and Strategies

Wrap up the session by summarizing what was learned about triggers and discussing strategies to manage anger. Ask for volunteers to share their thoughts.

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Activity

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Lesson Plan

Session 3: Calming Techniques

Students will explore and practice simple calming techniques like deep breathing and visualization in small groups with personalized guidance.

Small groups provide focused support that allows students to practice calming techniques more effectively, ensuring each child feels confident using these strategies.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 Minutes

Step 1

Small Group Introduction and Explanation

10 Minutes

Step 2

Guided Breathing and Visualization Exercises

10 Minutes

Step 3

Group Sharing and Reflection

10 Minutes

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Slide Deck

Session 3: Calming Techniques

Introduce the session by welcoming the students and explaining that today's session is all about calming our inner 'dragon' using breathing and imagination.

Deep Breathing Exercise

Explain and demonstrate the deep breathing exercise. Use a visual aid from the calming techniques visuals to show how to breathe in slowly and exhale gently.

Visualization: Your Happy Place

Guide the students through a visualization exercise. Ask them to imagine a peaceful place while describing calming details.

Reflection Time

Wrap up the session by encouraging students to share their feelings after the exercises. Reinforce that these techniques help our 'dragon' calm down.

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Lesson Plan

Session 4: Expressing Anger Safely

Students will learn to express their anger safely through verbal communication and creative outlets in small groups.

Small group instruction provides personalized guidance, enabling students to understand and practice safe expression of anger through art and role-playing.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 Minutes

Step 1

Small Group Introduction and Discussion

10 Minutes

Step 2

Creative Expression Activity: My Anger Story

10 Minutes

Step 3

Role-Playing and Reflection

10 Minutes

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Slide Deck

Session 4: Expressing Anger Safely

Introduce the session by explaining that we are going to learn safe ways to show how we feel angry without hurting anyone. Emphasize that it's important to use our words and creativity to express our feelings.

Safe Expressions

Discuss different ways to express anger safely. Prompt students to think about using words to explain their feelings and creative activities like drawing. Let students share simple methods to handle anger.

Creative Expression: My Anger Story

Introduce the creative expression activity where students draw a picture of a time when they felt angry and then safely expressed that anger. Provide visual examples if available.

Role-Play and Reflection

Wrap up the session by inviting students to share their drawings and discussing how they expressed their anger safely. Encourage role-playing by having a few students practice saying, ‘I feel angry, and I need help,’ to reinforce safe expression of anger.

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Activity

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Lesson Plan

Session 5: Building an Anger Toolbox

Students will create a personalized 'anger toolbox' that compiles various strategies learned to manage anger safely in small groups.

Small group work provides personalized support, reinforcing skills from previous sessions and empowering students to independently use effective strategies to calm their anger.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 Minutes

Step 1

Small Group Introduction and Recap

10 Minutes

Step 2

Toolbox Creation Activity

10 Minutes

Step 3

Group Sharing and Reflection

10 Minutes

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Slide Deck

Session 5: Building an Anger Toolbox

Introduce the session by explaining that today, students will build their own 'anger toolbox' to help them manage their anger. Emphasize that this toolbox gathers all the tools they've learned in previous sessions.

Recapping Our Tools

Recap the strategies from previous sessions. Use visuals or prompts on the board showing deep breathing, visualization, recognizing triggers and safe expression.

Let's Build Our Toolbox

Guide students through the creative activity where they draw their toolbox. Encourage them to fill it with pictures or words that represent the calming strategies they've learned.

Sharing and Reflection

Wrap up the session by inviting students to share their toolboxes. Use reflection questions to reinforce the importance of using these strategies when feeling angry.

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Taming the Dragon: Anger Management for First Graders

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Danielle Rollins

Tier 1
For Schools
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