breger, higgins, and pollock (2006) assisting angry students in the classroom by stacey breger chris...

Breger, Higgins, and Pollock (2006)

Assisting Angry Students in the ClassroomBy

Stacey BregerChris HigginsJudy PollockJohns Hopkins University


AngerBackground Information Anger is "an emotional state that varies in intensity from mild irritation to intense

fury and rage Like other emotions, it is accompanied by physiological and biological changes;

heart rate and blood pressure go up levels of your energy hormones and adrenaline rise

Anger can be caused by both external and internal events. angry at a specific person or event worrying or brooding about a personal problems memory of traumatic a event

The instinctive, natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively. Anger is a natural, adaptive response to threats, which allows one to fight and

to defend self when attacked. Unexpressed anger can create other problems. It can lead to pathological

expressions: passive-aggressive behavior personality that seems cynical and hostile


Background Information (cont.) People who are constantly putting others down, criticizing

everything, and making cynical comments haven't learned how to constructively express their anger.

They aren't likely to have many successful relationships Prevalence of anger in school age children 10% and as high

as 25% in children from low-income households (Webster-Stratton & Hammond, 1998)

When children have faulty or limited social skills they may experience a delay in educational progress (Madden, et. al, 2004)

Interpersonal skill is a precursor to effective learning. When children lack social skills, it hinders learning.


Typical Stress-Producing Annoyances Typical in Classroom Interactions Conflict over possessions - taking children's property or

invading their space. Physical assault - involves one child doing something to

another child, such as pushing or hitting. Verbal conflict - a tease or a taunt. Rejection -being ignored or not allowed to play with peers. Issues of compliance - asking or insisting that children do

something that they do not want to do--for instance, wash their hands.


Characteristics of Angry Children Makers of their own misery Trouble analyzing problems Blame others for their misfortune Difficulty understanding their own emotions Lack of empathy and feelings for others Attack people rather than solve problems Use anger to control and manipulate others Keep anger going through self-talk Have confused self-esteem Can be nice when they want to be nice (Murphy, 2001)


Classroom StrategiesRecognizing Anger

Listen to what the students are saying about

their feelings and be willing to talk to the student about any subject.

Provide comfort and assurance Tell the child that everyone experiences anger. Encourage the child to shift gears Teach basic problem-solving skills.


Classroom Strategies

Look at how you handle your own anger. Acknowledge good behavior. If none of these approaches work seek help. Talk to the family doctor or pediatrician More information can be found at CARING

FOR EVERY CHILD’S MENTAL HEALTH CALL 1800. 789.2647

www.mentalhealth.org/child/


Other Classroom StrategiesSocial behavioral Skills Teaching Coping Skills Able to express angry without physical aggression

and yelling. Coping appropriately if someone insults them or

takes something that belongs to them Avoids an argument when another student is

providing provoking them. Can handle being lied to. Cope with being blamed for something they did

not do. Coping with aggression in an appropriate ways.


Peer Relationships

Knows how to join a group activity already in progress Develop and maintain individual friendships with more than one

significant peer. Maintains friendships over extended time. Interacts with a variety of children on a regular basis. Shares laughter and jokes with peers. Will initiate conversations with peers. Initiates play activities with other children. Can express feelings of affection or friendship toward peers. Regularly compliments others. (Nebraska News Brief published by the Learning

Disabilities Association 1994)


Classroom Strategies Positive Reinforcement Social Reinforcements (Non Verbal)

Eyes Contact Smiles

Nods Pats

Winks Shaking hands

Standing beside


Classroom Strategies Positive Reinforcement Social Reinforcement (Verbal)

Good job! Nice works!

Very good! Thank you!

I’m proud of you! I like the way that you!

Excellent! Nice Going!

You did that!


Classroom Strategies Positive Reinforcements Tangible Reinforcements

Stickers Plastic Toys Badges Use of special treatHappy faces Crayons/markersBooks Coloring Books

Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services Child Welfare Services

240- 777-3585


Interventions/Programs

Individual Counseling Mentoring- This program could be created by

asking high school students or adults in the community to mentor an “angry student.” They would be trained, and then this program could give these students the opportunity to bond with another person who they are unfamiliar with. They can work on skills to help manage their anger, and build relationships these students might be missing at home.


Group Counseling Themes Making friends- Students who are angry tend

to have trouble making friends so this would be a good group to implement with this population

Social skills- A counselor or teacher can teach social skills to students to help them better communicate with other peers and adults.

Developing anger management skills- The counselor or teacher can teach the students how to cope with their angry feelings. This group would provide the student with strategies to help them manage their anger.


Play Therapy Activities

“Tear It Up”Counselor provides clients with something they can tear up such as an old telephone book, magazine, or newspaper. The client is instructed to verbalize angry thoughts and feelings as they tear it up.

“Nerf Balls”Counselor allows client to throw nerf balls across the room. This technique allows clients to externalize anger in a safe way while attaching a physical action to the feeling.

“Punch It Out”Clients rechannel anger and aggression by hitting, punching, or kicking a pillow or punching bag. This is an acceptable way to release built up anger (Vernon, 2004).


Play Therapy Activities (cont.) “Parallels with Animals”

Great for young children who display anger. The counselor might ask the child, “How does a dog act when it is angry?” Then, the counselor will bark or growl and ask the child to join in.

“Reframing”A client may state, “I hate my mom because she won’t let me do things that I like to do.” The counselor will then ask the client to reframe the statement into an “I love” statement such as, “I love my mom because she cares to set enough limits.” (Vernon, 2004)


Bibliotherapy Ideas

When Sophie Gets Angry– Really, Really

Angryby

Molly Bang

I Was so Mad

by

Mercer Mayer

Mean Soup

By

Betsy Everitt

Hot Stuff to Help Kids Chill Out – The Anger

Management BookBy

Jerry Wilde


Assisting Angry Students in the Classroom

breger, higgins, and pollock (2006) assisting angry students in the classroom by stacey breger chris...

Documents

unexpressed anger

hostile slide

school age children

angry students

limited social skills

basic problemsolving

emotions lack of empathy

annoyances typical