Part 5: Class discussion about Anger Cues
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- Click to read Bullies, Bystanders, and Victims Chapter 1: Part 1 of 9
- Click to read Bullies, Bystanders, and Victims Chapter 1: Part 2 of 9
- Click to read Bullies, Bystanders, and Victims Chapter 1: Part 3 of 9
- Click to read Bullies, Bystanders, and Victims Chapter 1: Part 4 of 9
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A. The teacher will lead the students in a class discussion about Anger Cues.
*** Note to Teacher: Display Anger Cues Poster ***
Poster: Anger Cues
Teacher Explanation: Take a look at the Anger Cues poster that was drawn by Ms. Debbie Dunn. The way we know we are angry is that we often feel a physical reaction in our body. This physical reaction is called our ANGER CUES. For example, some people may feel hot all over. Some people may feel like crying. Some people may feel like their stomach gets tied in knots. They might even feel queasy or vomit. Some people want to scream. Some people may wish to lash out at others either verbally or physically. Some people may notice that their head is pounding.
B. Students will analyze the Anger Cues in the story about Nick, Jordy, and Judd.
Discussion question #7: As you can well imagine, Jordy, a frequent victim of bullying, was feeling angry, depressed, and frustrated. What do we know happened to Jordy’s eyes when he got upset?
Students Respond: Jordy had to blink back tears.
Discussion question #8: What happened to Jordy’s posture when Judd was threatening him and Nick was watching?
Students Respond: Jordy’s shoulders slumped.
Discussion question #9: What happened to Nick’s eyes when he saw that Judd managed to steal Jordy’s lunch money before he could?
Students Respond: Nick glared hatefully at Jordy.
Discussion question #10: What happened to Nick’s voice when not only did his two older brothers play ‘monkey in the middle’ with the cereal box, but then Nick discovered they had left hardly any cereal for him?
Students Respond: Nick yelled “No fair!” and “Cut it out!”
Teacher Explanation:
* Two of Jordy’s ANGER CUES included his feeling like he might cry and his shoulders slumping in defeat.
* Two of Nick’s ANGER CUES included he glared at Jordy and he yelled at his two older brothers.
C. Students will also discuss the Anger Cues from their own lives.
Discussion question #11: Now, think about times when you have felt angry. I am going to name off several anger cues. If this has ever happened to you when you feel angry, quickly raise your hand.
A. Your breathing changes in some way. Perhaps you breathe in gulps. Perhaps you have trouble breathing. Perhaps you breathe extra fast or quick or erratic.
B. You find yourself getting into a fighting stance.
C. You make nervous gestures with your hands, or you clench your fists.
D. You feel extra cold or over-heated.
E. You get a headache or your head starts pounding.
F. Your hair stands on end or feels electrified.
G. Your eyes produce tears, or you actually cry.
H. Your eyes look hard or glazed or crazed or flash.
I. Your face feels tight or flushed.
J. Your jaw muscles flex or tense or tighten.
K. Your teeth clench.
L. Your voice changes. It might get squeaky or loud or rough or whispery-sounding.
M. Your neck muscles tense.
N. Your chest feels tight.
O. Your heart palpitates.
P. Your upper or lower back aches.
Q. Your stomach aches or feels tight or you get a nervous stomach.
R. Your arms feel extra heavy.
S. Your hands sweat or clench or shake.
T. Your legs feel heavy or tight or like lead.
Discussion question #12: Why do you think it is important to be aware of our Anger Cues?
Students Respond: If we can identify some of our Anger Cues, we can quickly work on calming ourselves down and also try to relax the part of our body that is feeling tense.
Teacher Explanation: If we can identify some of our Anger Cues, we can quickly work on calming ourselves down and also try to relax that part of our body that is feeling tense. A little later in this course, we will learn some relaxation techniques that might help you when you feel angry.
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Click to read Bullies, Bystanders, and Victims Chapter 1: Part 6 of 9
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Return to Bullies, Bystanders, and Victims Middle School lesson plan: Chapter 1 of 12
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References:
The 8 Tools of Anger Control plus much of the other Anger Control material is also adopted with permission from the programs of The Anger Coach produced by psychologist Dr. Tony Fiore.
- URL: http://drfiore.com
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