Volcano Tamer Slides Volcano Tamer
Understanding and Managing My Big Feelings
Calm
Alert
Our Feelings are like a Volcano
Sometimes we feel quiet and cool .
Sometimes the lava rises inside.
We can learn to tame the volcano!
The Rumble: Body Signals
How does your body feel when you start to get angry?
👊 Clenched Fists
🔥 Hot Face
💓 Fast Heartbeat
🤢 Tight Tummy
Catching the Steam
When you feel the rumble , it's time to use a strategy!
"I feel my body getting hot. I need a break."
Cool Down Choices
Deep Breaths
In like a flower,
Push the Wall
Use your muscles to
Quiet Corner
Take a moment alone
Let's Talk!
When was a time you felt your volcano start to rumble?
Volcano Story Booklet My Volcano Story
A Social Story About Big Feelings
Author's Name
Date
1
Inside of me, I have many feelings. Sometimes I feel happy, sometimes I feel sad, and sometimes I feel angry .
When I get very angry, it can feel like a volcano is inside my body.
2
Before a volcano erupts, it starts to rumble . My body rumbles too!
My face feels hot.
My heart beats fast.
My hands turn into fists.
3
When I feel the rumble, I can stop and tame my volcano.
I can use a cool-down strategy to help the lava stay down.
Deep Breaths
Push Wall
Quiet Space
Squeeze Toy
4
My strategies are like water for my volcano. They help me feel safe and calm .
I can choose the one that works best for me!
I am a Volcano Tamer!
When I control my anger, I feel proud of myself. My teachers and friends feel happy, too.
Draw yourself feeling calm:
Volcano Tamer Activity Volcano Tamer
My Personal Calm Down Plan
Name:
Date:
My Volcano Rumbles
Circle the things that happen to your body when you start to get angry:
🔥 Hot Face
👊 Tight Fists
💓 Fast Heart
🤢 Tummy Ache
😤 Fast Breath
😠 Mean Words
My Cool Down Choices
Pick 2 strategies that help you the most and color them in:
Take 5 Deep Breaths
In like a flower, out like a candle.
Push the Wall
Use your muscles to release energy.
Go to Quiet Spot
Find a calm place to be alone.
Squeeze a Toy
Squeeze a pillow or a fidget.
I am a Volcano Tamer!
When I feel my volcano start to rumble, I will:
Volcano Tamer Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Volcano Tamer SEL Lesson
45-60 Minutes
Learning Objectives
Identify at least 2 physical "body signals" of anger.
Understand the metaphor of anger as a rising volcano.
Select and practice at least 1 preferred coping strategy.
Materials Needed
Volcano Tamer Slides (for whole-group instruction)Volcano Story Booklet (one per student)Volcano Tamer Activity (one per student)Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
Pro Tip
Use a physical visual aid like a bottle of water with glitter to show "settling" or a hand-drawn volcano poster for students to point to when they feel their "rumble."
Lesson Steps
1
Introduction (5-10 mins)
Use the Volcano Tamer Slides . Introduce the concept of "Big Feelings." Ask students if they've ever seen a volcano in a movie or book. Explain that feelings are normal, but some feel "hot" and "explosive" like lava.
2
Social Story Read-Aloud (15 mins)
Distribute the Volcano Story Booklet . Read it together. Pause on Page 2 to have students act out "tight fists" or "hot faces." On Page 4, physically practice "Deep Breaths" and "Wall Pushes" together.
3
Personal Action Plan (15-20 mins)
Students complete the Volcano Tamer Activity . Support students in identifying their specific body signals. Encourage them to choose the strategies that actually feel good to them, rather than what they think the "right" answer is.
Differentiation Strategies
For Non-Verbal Students
Provide "choice cards" with icons of the coping strategies. Students can point to or hand a card to an adult when they feel a rumble.
For Sensory Seekers
Focus on heavy work strategies like "Push the Wall" or "Squeeze a Fidget." These provide the proprioceptive input many students need to regulate.
