SClarke

The shot of adrenaline that hits one's bloodstream when he gets angry is present for 28 minutes.  During that time, one is hyperactive to external stimuli and has a shortened attention span.  Think of the educational ramifications of that!  The author gives 32 strategies for dealing with mild to more challenging anger in students. I found the following strategies interesting:

For Mild Anger:

1.  Classroom Creature-  Research shows that the presence of an animal can lower blood pressure in adults and children.  The author suggests a classroom pet.

2. Hot Topics Class Meeetings-constantly monitor classroom "triggers" ( name calling, bossing, tattling, etc) and schedule a weekly meeting to sit together as a class and discuss the "trigger" that is causing the most problems.

3. Teach Them How to Give Compliments-  Most children don't know how to give compliments.  Anger does not survive long in an environment filled with kind words.

4.     I messages-  Teach students to start their sentences with "I feel", rather than the provoking "You did.

5.  The Toothpaste Theory (My favorite!)-  Take a tube of toothpaste and toothbrush.  Put toothpaste on the brush and say "I have changed my mind,  I don't  want to brush my teeth now."  Then say "Do you think I can get all the toothpaste back into the tube?"  Obviously, no.  Then,  "How is this like words we use when we are upset?"