March Madness
In February we explored some of the hundreds of feelings we can experience. It is important to name and understand our feelings. We can’t always control what or how we feel, but we do have choices in how we manage, express, and cope with our feelings. If we choose unhealthy ways to cope with feelings such as hitting, yelling at people, being mean to others, or ignoring our feelings we, and possibly others, will probably experience negative consequences.
The term March Madness does not define March as the month to be mad or angry. Instead, it refers to the annual NCAA basketball tournament. Since this month’s Classroom Connection feature is focused on managing and coping with anger, we couldn’t resist the pun!
I AM – Self-Awareness
Major Message: I AM able to express, manage, and cope with my feelings in healthy and appropriate ways.
Classroom Connection Section: I AM – Feelings
Introduction:
Feelings of anger can range from being slightly annoyed, frustrated, or disappointed, to being really upset, furious, and even feeling rage. When anger is not managed in healthy ways it can lead to negative consequences. Getting into trouble, physically and emotionally hurting ourselves and others, and breaking up friendships and families are just a few examples of these negative consequences. The extreme can be violence and property destruction.
Often, anger covers up several underlying feelings we don’t like to feel. Think of it like an iceberg. Icebergs are large blocks of ice that float in the ocean. The tip of the iceberg is visible, but the majority of the iceberg is actually underneath the water. When a ship hits an iceberg, it may appear to be unharmed, but below the surface the ship may be severely damaged and even sink.
Activity Instructions:
(Depending on the amount of time you have you can implement both the Anger Iceberg activity and the You Decide Coping Choices activity, however, if you only have time for one, we suggest using the You Decide Coping Choices activity.)
Angry Iceberg Activity
- Draw an iceberg on the board. Make a line between the tip and underneath part of the iceberg.
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Option 1: Ask students to name feelings on the underneath part of the iceberg that may be covered up by the feelings and behaviors we show on the surface-the tip of the iceberg. For example, beneath the surface we may experience fear, anxiety, disappointment, and embarrassment. But on the surface, the tip of the iceberg, the feelings and behaviors we show are anger, sadness, yelling, and fighting.
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Option 2: Copy the Angry Iceberg Handout (Elementary activity - Middle/High School activity) for each student and discuss as outlined above.
You Decide Coping Choices Activity
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Copy the age appropriate You Decide Coping Worksheet for each student. Elementary Activity - Middle School Activity - High School Activity
- When we experience difficult feelings like anger, we have a choice of how we will express that feeling. It is normal to feel angry sometimes and we have a choice in how we will cope with and manage the feeling. We can choose between healthy and unhealthy coping choices.
- Ask students to mark on their Worksheet if the behavior described is a healthy or unhealthy choice.
Discussion Questions
- Review and discuss their choices.
- Which of the healthy choices do you already practice?
- Which of the unhealthy coping choices do you want to improve?
- What did you learn as a result of this activity?
- Identify a practical way you will use what you learned?
We hope you enjoy these activities as you help children and youth learn about their own “March Madness” this month. Also, don’t miss this month’s Resource Connection section for additional resources to help children and youth manage their feelings.
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