Tantrum Tornado Lesson Plan Taming The Tantrum Tornado
Tier 2 Social-Emotional Learning • 3rd Grade
Duration 30 Min
Why This Lesson?
This lesson helps students develop essential self-regulation skills, enabling them to navigate challenging situations calmly and communicate effectively, leading to fewer tantrums and better relationships.
Learning Objectives
Identify personal triggers for strong emotions.
Learn and practice specific calming strategies.
Use "I feel" statements to express needs effectively.
Preparation
Before the Session (10 mins):
• Gather whiteboards/paper & markers.
• Print/cut Emotion Cards .
• Display Calming Strategies Poster .
• Print Tantrum Toolkit Worksheets .
• Review Slides & Script.
Materials Needed
Small whiteboards Markers/Pencils Emotion Cards Calming Strategies Poster Tantrum Toolkit Worksheet Lesson Slide Deck
Instructional Sequence
5 Min
Warm-Up: How Are You Feeling?
Students share one emotion they are feeling right now and why.
Use Emotion Cards for identification.
Discuss how feelings affect bodies and actions.
Ref: Slide Deck 1-2
7 Min
Understanding Tantrums & Triggers
Introduce the "Tantrum Tornado" metaphor.
Discuss what it looks and feels like.
Identify common triggers (being told no, things feeling unfair).
Students share personal triggers without judgment.
Ref: Slide Deck 3-4
8 Min
Building a Calming Strategies Toolbox
Introduce tools to calm the storm.
Strategies: Deep breaths, counting, asking for a break, stress ball.
Demonstrate and practice 2-3 strategies together.
Use the Calming Strategies Poster as a visual.
Ref: Slide Deck 5-6
5 Min
Using Your Words: "I Feel" Statements
Explain the formula: "I feel... when... because... I need..."
Role-play scenarios (e.g., someone taking a toy).
Practice saying the full statement clearly.
Ref: Slide Deck 7
5 Min
Cool-Down: Tantrum Toolkit
Consolidate learning on the worksheet.
Students draw/write 1-2 favorite strategies.
Write one personal "I Feel" statement.
Reinforce that big emotions are okay, but tools are necessary.
Ref: Slide Deck 8-9 Tantrum Tornado Slides Welcome! How are you feeling today?
Let's check in with our emotions. Pick an emotion card that shows how you're feeling right now.
It's okay to feel whatever you're feeling!
😊
Teacher Note: Welcome students and introduce the topic. Encourage using Emotion Cards.
The Tantrum Tornado 🌪️
Have you ever felt like a storm brewing inside you? What happens when feelings get too big?
Shouting?
Crying?
Dropping to the floor?
🌪️
Warning Zone
Teacher Note: Transition to discussing meltdowns. Ask students how a tornado feels to them.
What Starts the Storm?
TRIGGERS
A 'trigger' is something that makes a big feeling start.
What makes YOUR Tantrum Tornado begin?
Not getting your way?
Things feeling unfair?
Being told 'no'?
Something else?
Teacher Note: Explain the 'trigger' concept. Brainstorm examples with students.
Calming the Storm
Your Personal Toolbox 🛠️
Good news! We can learn how to calm our Tantrum Tornadoes. Just like a builder, we have tools!
Toolkit Ready
"What are some ways we can calm down when feelings get too big?"
Teacher Note: Introduce the toolbox concept. Refer to the Calming Strategies Poster.
Calming Strategies in Action!
1
Deep Belly Breaths
In like a flower 🌸, out like a candle 🕯️.
2
Count to 10 (or 20!)
Slowly count to give your brain time to catch up.
3
Ask for a Break
"I need a minute to myself." Find a quiet spot.
4
Squeeze a Stress Ball
Release tension with your hands.
Teacher Note: Practice 2-3 specific strategies together right now.
Using Your Words
Instead of shouting or stomping, let's talk!
"I Feel" Statements
"I feel [Emotion] when [Situation] because [Reason]. I need [What you need]."
Teacher Note: Emphasize that using words helps others understand what we need.
Let's Practice! 🎭
Scenario
You want to play with a toy, but your friend is using it.
INSTEAD OF:
Tantrum tornado reaction
TRY THIS:
Tantrum Tornado Script Guide Instructional Script
Taming The Tantrum Tornado
5 Min
Part 1: How Are You Feeling?
"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Thanks for joining our special feelings group today. We all have lots of different feelings every single day, right? Some are big, some are small, some are happy, some are tricky. It's totally normal! Today, we're going to talk about those tricky feelings and how we can handle them like superheroes."
Look at the Emotion Cards. Ask students to pick one card that best shows their feeling right now.
"Great job everyone! See how we all have different feelings? It's really interesting how our feelings can change throughout the day. And it's important to remember that all feelings are okay to have. What's important is how we show those feelings, especially the big, tricky ones."
7 Min
Part 2: Understanding Tantrums & Triggers
"Now, has anyone ever felt like a big storm brewing inside them? Like maybe you didn't get your way, or something felt totally unfair, and suddenly your body felt hot, your fists clenched, or you just wanted to shout? When those big feelings get really big, they turn into a 'Tantrum Tornado'!"
Allow for responses. Refer to Slide 2-3. Ask: "What does it look and feel like?"
"We call the things that start them 'triggers'. A trigger is like the switch that turns on the big feelings. What are some things that trigger your big feelings? Maybe it's being told 'no' or having to stop a game. It's okay to share, we all have them."
Write student responses on a whiteboard. Refer to Slide 4.
8 Min
Part 3: Building a Calming Toolbox
"The super exciting news is that we can learn how to calm our Tantrum Tornadoes! Just like a builder has a toolbox full of tools to fix things, we can have a 'Calming Toolbox' for our feelings! Let's try some of these calming tools together."
Deep Belly Breaths: "Breathe in slowly through your nose, like you're smelling a delicious flower. Now, breathe out slowly through your mouth, like you're gently blowing out a candle."
Counting: "Let's try counting to 10 together, slowly. 1... 2... 3... See how it gives your brain a little break to think?"
Ask for a Break: "If you feel a tornado coming, you can say, 'I need a minute to myself,' and go to a quiet spot."
Practice each strategy. Refer to Slide 6 and the Poster.
5 Min
Part 4: Using Your Words
"Instead of shouting or dropping to the floor, we can tell people what we're feeling and what we need. It's called an 'I feel' statement: 'I feel [EMOTION] when [SITUATION] because [REASON]. I need [WHAT YOU NEED].'"
Emotion Identification Cards Activity Emotion Identification Cards
Cut along the dotted lines
😊
Happy
😢
Sad
😠
Angry
😨
Scared
😕
Confused
🤩
Excited
😌
Calm
😤
Frustrated
😟
Worried
😲
Surprised
😳
Embarrassed
Draw Your Own
"All feelings are okay to have!"
Calming Strategies Reference Poster Calming Strategies Toolbox
When your feelings get big, try a tool to help you calm down!
🌬️
1. Deep Belly Breaths
Breathe in like smelling a flower 🌸. Breathe out like blowing out a candle 🕯️.
🔢
2. Count to 10 (or 20!)
Slowly count in your head. This gives your brain time to think clearly.
🚶
3. Ask for a Break
Say, "I need a minute." Find a quiet spot to be alone for a short time.
💪
4. Squeeze a Stress Ball
Squeeze a stress ball or soft toy tight, then release to let out tension.
💧
5. Get a Drink of Water
Slowly sip some cool water. It can help your physical body calm down.
💭
6. Happy Place
Close your eyes and imagine a place that makes you feel peaceful and happy.
Pro Tip
"You have a whole toolbox of strategies! Choose the one that works best for YOU right now."
Tantrum Toolkit Student Worksheet My Tantrum Toolkit
🛠️
Name:
Date:
Part 1: My Calming Strategies
When I feel a Tantrum Tornado starting, I will try these tools to calm down.
Tool #1:
Tool #2:
Part 2: Using My Words
Practice writing your "I Feel" statement below:
"I feel ________________________ when ________________________ because ________________________. I need ________________________."
Reflection
Why is it important to have tools to help you with big feelings?
I am becoming a master of my emotions!
