Developed by: Suzi P Miller

Level: 6-8


ARE YOU BAD WHEN YOU'RE MAD?

Standards


Learning
Expectations

 This activity will help students acquire competencies which relate to the following standards:
8. Self Knowledge Application
The student will:
8.1 Set goals relative to one's interests and abilities.
8.3 Develop a plan to achieve realistic short and long term goals.

General 
Approach		 The general approach is that the student will take a quiz entitled, "Are You Bad When You're Mad?" The results of the quiz will be the basis for discussion on how to deal with anger.

Activity
Steps		 1.      Print one quiz entitled, "Are You Bad When You're 
         Mad?," the "Description Results" for the quiz, and 
         the "Description of What Anger Is and Does" for 
         each student
2.      Give each student a copy of the quiz. 
3.      Each student should have a pencil or a pen to 
         complete the quiz.
4.      After the students complete the quiz, give each 
         student a copy of the "Anger Description Results" 
         & "What Anger Is & Does" handouts and use the 
         answers for the basis of discussion about how to 
         deal with anger. Some sample situations may also 
         be used in order to discuss appropriate ways to 
         deal with anger in situations the students may 
         encounter.
5.      Some sample situations to use may be:
Gossip
Boyfriend/Girlfriend relationships
Parental Restrictions
Grades & Relationships with Teachers
6.      Write appropriate ways to deal with anger in each 
         situation on the blackboard. Some suggestions 
         might be to:
Walk away from the situation
Write a letter describing angry feelings
Do something physical, i.e. exercise, clean your room, etc.
Sing or listen to music
7.      A list of ways to handle anger can be made & a 
         poster made & displayed for the students to review.

Time
Required		 This activity will take at least 30-45 minutes to complete. However, if the students have a lot of concerns regarding how to appropriately handle anger in the sample situations, another session can be planned for further discussion.

Resources
Needed
  • Quiz entitled, "Are You Bad When You're Mad?" 
  • Handouts entitled, "Anger Description Results" & "What Anger Is & Does" 
  • 1 copy of the quiz  & handouts for each student 
  • 1 pen or #2 pencil for each student 
  • Chalk & Blackboard 
  • If a poster is made from the suggestions, pasteboard and markers will be needed 

Performance
Indicators		 Students will be able to:

Solve conflicts in a non aggressive way.
Apply knowledge of self in setting goals to deal with anger.
Examine the nature of anger and set goals for overcoming the destructive effects of anger.
Demonstrate problem solving skills for anger and stress management.
ARE YOU BAD WHEN YOU'RE MAD?

1.  Which of these behaviors best describes what you do when 
     you first get angry?

     _____ A.  Take a deep breath and count to 10.
     _____ B.  Yell and break things.
     _____ C.  Prepare to fight.

2.  How quickly do you get angry?

    _____ A.  It takes a LOT to get me mad.
    _____ B.  I feel angry, but it takes me a while to show it. 
                   Or, I don't show it at all.
    _____ C.  I snap right away.

3.  How long do you usually stay angry?

    _____  A.  Just until I've vented.
    _____  B.  All Day.
    _____  C.  I have a cousin I haven't talked to in 2 years.

4.  When people close to you see that you're anger, they:

    _____  A.  Ask you what's wrong.
    _____  B.  Take cover.
    _____  C.  Leave town.
ANGER DESCRIPTION RESULTS

Listed below are the result possibilities of the anger quiz. If you chose mostly 1 letter (A, B, or C) your anger personality will be reflected as follows:

A.   If you chose mostly "A" answers, you deserve a peace 
       prize. You handle your anger well. Give some thought to 
       sharing your knowledge by getting involved in violence 
       prevention activities.
B.   If you chose mostly "B" answers, you do have a temper. 
      Keep working on managing your anger.
C.  If you chose any "C" answers, your anger may already be 
      causing problems in your life. Give some thought to 
      learning some anger management techniques.
WHAT ANGER IS AND DOES

IT'S NOT ANGER THAT LEADS TO DANGER

  • Anger is a normal emotion. 
  • Everyone feels it sometimes. 
  • It's a sign that something is wrong. 
IT'S WHAT YOU DO WITH IT THAT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS
  • Learn how to express your anger without blowing up. 
  • Don't let anger lead to violence. 
  • Direct your anger into solving problems.