Anger in the Classroom: A Practical Guide for Teachers

Jane Heath teaches psychology at Ryerson University.

The core of this book is a compendium of practical techniques for
dealing with anger in the classroom setting. In essence, the authors
recommend that children’s anger be neither denied nor belittled. Steps
in empathic listening, enabling children to express and assimilate
anger, are described. Methods are outlined for making the classroom a
safe area where children’s basic needs are met. In this context, the
authors discuss the role of classroom structure and organization, and
the use of limits and consequences. The function of an authoritative
teaching style is also touched upon. Even in ideal classroom settings,
the authors point out, anger will be experienced. Strategies for
addressing it presented in this book include cognitive, expressive, and
behavioral techniques, augmented with role-playing and other exercises.

Research and theoretical issues are less thoroughly and lucidly
discussed. The authors’ treatment of the relationship between learning
and self-esteem, for instance, does not convey the complexity of this
controversial area of research. As well, the difficulty of assimilating
a really aggressive child into the classroom group, as is so clearly
demonstrated by Kenneth Dodge’s work, seems underestimated. There are
also contradictory positions taken. The authors’ early argument that
anger is a useful and positive emotion, serving to ensure that needs are
met and injustices rectified, contrasts with their later definition of
anger as a matter of personal interpretation of an event that, if the
event is redefined,will vanish. Nevertheless, teachers and parents will
find this book a good source of practical and clearly outlined
techniques for dealing constructively with frustrated and angry
children.