Calm Volcano Slides
The Calm Volcano
Learning to handle our big, red feelings.
What is Anger?
Anger is a BIG feeling.
It feels like a hot fire inside your chest.
Everyone gets angry!
It's okay to feel mad. It's what we DO that matters.
HOT HEAD!
My Body's Warning Signs
Tight Fists
Hands feel hard like rocks.
Red Face
Cheeks feel hot and spicy.
Thump-Thump
My heart beats very fast!
Can you feel these signs before the BOOM?
3 Cool-Down Tricks
1
Balloon Breaths
Breathe in like a big balloon, then let the air out SLOWLY.
2
The Squeeze & Release
Squeeze your muscles tight, tight, tight... then let go.
3
Ask for Help
Say: "I feel mad! I need a break."
Ready to Practice?
Let's try our Balloon Breaths together. Hands on bellies... breathe in... and out...
IN
OUT
Volcano Vent Teacher Guide
Volcano Vent
Teacher Facilitation Guide • SEL Lesson: Handling Anger
Preschool
20-30 Mins
Learning Objective
Students will identify three physical signs of anger in their bodies and practice "Balloon Breaths" as a self-regulation strategy to prevent emotional "eruption."
Materials Needed
- "Calm Volcano" Slide Deck
- "Cooling Off" Coloring Sheets
- Crayons (Red, Orange, Blue, Green)
- Optional: A physical spray bottle with water
Slide-by-Slide Facilitation
1-2
The Hook & What is Anger?
Hook: "Have you ever seen a volcano? It's big, it's hot, and sometimes it goes BOOM! Sometimes our feelings feel like a volcano."
Discussion: Ask students: "When you feel mad, does your body feel hot like fire or cold like ice?" Validate that everyone feels mad sometimes and it's a natural part of being human.
3
Warning Signs
Action: Have students act out the signs. "Everyone, make tight rock hands (fists)! Now, touch your cheeks—are they hot? Put your hand on your heart—can you hear the thump-thump?"
Key Point: These are "rumbles" that tell us our volcano might erupt soon. We want to catch the rumble before the boom!
4-5
Cool-Down Tricks & Practice
Balloon Breaths: Model placing hands on bellies. "Imagine your belly is a big blue balloon. Fill it with air... 1, 2, 3... and let it out... pshhhhh." Repeat 3 times.
Squeeze & Release: Teach students to squeeze their whole body (including their "mad" face) then drop everything and be "floppy like a wet noodle."
Circle Time Activity: "The Calm Mist"
Use a spray bottle with clean, cool water. Tell students: "If you feel the hot volcano rumbling, imagine this cool mist falling on you."
1. Ask for a volunteer to share something that makes them feel "rumbling" (e.g., "someone took my toy").
2. Group practices 1 Balloon Breath together.
3. Teacher lightly mists the air above the group (check for sensitivities first!) to signify the "Cool Down."
