JumpStart Hufflepuff Pride Week (3/20/23)

Big Idea:  Anger is the outward expression of hurt and fear. 

Think about the last time you felt angry - that sudden, intense feeling that made you want to do something big.

It’s all part of the fight/flight/freeze response. The desire to say or do something big is a natural reaction when something comes up against who you are. I’ll bet the last time you felt anger was when something or someone made you feel afraid, or hurt your pride, or caused intense frustration.

Usually what makes us angry is something unexpected. Our brains can only handle so much unexpectedness before they invoke the body to help remove it (or us) from the situation.

Think about fear itself. You can read a thriller or watch an action movie or go through a haunted house and it’s invigorating.

Too much more, and you step over the boundary into anxiety and aggression.

This week, try this: To manage anger, self-awareness is the key (good thing it’s the first goal in the Illinois SEL Standards!). Sit for a minute and explore what makes you angry, and what triggers your anger. Once you know your own triggers, you can avoid them, or be aware enough to enact your calming practices before anger makes you do something you’ll regret.

​Quote:  "Anger is nothing more than the outward expression of hurt, fear, and frustration." ~Unknown

Educator Resource:  How to Help Students Manage Their Emotions - EDUTOPIA ARTICLE - Four tips AND scripts for each one to help you start a conversation with a student.

Dad Joke:  Thinking of having my ashes stored in a glass urn.  Remains to be seen.

Warm days are coming!
~Matt Weld, Area 5 SEL Coach