Taming Your Anger Dragon: A Weekly Way to Keep Cool, Calm and Collected

Anger is a normal part of being human. Big emotions are sometimes difficult for children to handle and that's where the Anger Dragon comes in. It provides students with an opportunity to take control of their big emotions and get their needs met in a positive way. Join in as we learn strategies for handling those big emotions in positive ways such as through the use of visualization, relaxation, postive imagery, playing games, sensory activities, listening to music and guided listening activities, reading stories,  writing our own stories, and discussing those big feelings and emotions. We also talk about brain-based strategies including recognizing and stopping the amygdala hijack, using breathing and relaxation to activate the prefrontal cortex, and we trace an emotional response through the brain!   Each week will focus on a different strategy, including activities based on student-driven interests and ideas. We have infused laughter with operation 'joy', included video games with a 'mine craft based activity', we've made sensory bottles, and slime and we've used music as an outlet for frustration. 
In this class, students will learn how to recognize and make a plan to manage extreme emotions. They will recognize that emotions are normal and they will find ways to deal with them more appropriately and effectively. 
Through the use of live discussion, interactive activities and experiments, readings, and audio/video materials, students will learn how to manage their frustrations and other big emotions. They will learn how the body and brain work together as well. 
This is an introductory class and no pre-requsite knowledge is required. 
There will be one assignment per week that asks students to use their strategies in a real-life based application or gives resources students can use.
Learner progress is evaluated via participation and completion in assignments and class discussion. 
There is no grade assigned for this class.