Lesson 2: Behavior Development Activities

Before asking students to act in their own roleplay activities, we suggest you model the process for them. ( Click here for specific characteristics of the COLD, HOT, and COOL responses.)

(Teacher models) I accidentally tear a page in my friend's new book. Now my friend is really angry at me. What should I do?

First, I try being COLD. Remember Chester's COLD face when you think about the COLD response. Watch what I do.

I LOOK COLD

(Model) I drop my shoulders. My eyes look down. I don't look at him/her. My head is hanging and I look very sad.

Then I THINK COLD

(Model) I think "This always happens to me I better not say anything or he'll/she'll yell more."

Now I ACT COLD

(Model) I act helpless and leave.

Roleplay how you (the teacher) would react to the same anger using the HOT response.

I LOOK HOT

(Model) I hold my head up, stare at the angry person, clench my fists and look angry.

Then I THINK HOT

(Model) I think "If I don't fight back, he'll/she'll be more angry."

Now I ACT HOT

(Model) I yell, "You better get out of my way" and I push him/her.

Model the COOL response and the "Accept/Apologize/Makeup" process.

Review the "Accept/Apologize/Makeup" Process:

I LOOK COOL

Ask the class to join you as you continue to model "Looking COOL" We put on our imaginary sunglasses, stop and relax by taking deep breaths. We stand straight and look confident.

I THINK COOL

First, I think about "what might happen" if I act COLD or if I act HOT before deciding what to do. Then I decide if the anger is fair. If the anger is fair, I'm going to "accept," "apologize" and "make up."

I ACT COOL

I stand straight and tall, look confident and have good eye contact when speaking or listening to him/her. I tell him/her it was an accident and that I'm sorry. I then ask him/her what I can do to make it up.

Ask the class if they have any questions or suggestions about how you modeled the BeCool process.

1. Practicing "Response to Fair Anger"

The Teacher uses any two puppets, placing one on each hand. One puppet is "angry" and the other is "receiving the anger." The "angry puppet" yells out a "fair angry statement" (see examples below.) The other puppet always responds with the phrase, "I did it, I'm sorry, let's be friends." After several models of this response by the puppet, encourage the students to respond along with the puppet, "I did it, I'm sorry, let's be friends."

Examples of "fair angry statements" are as follows:

1. "You tore my paper!"
2. "You got me wet!"
3. "You tripped me!"
4. "You pushed me!"
2. "Accept/Apologize/Makeup" Roleplay

Assign "Angry Person" and "Person receiving the anger" roles and ask students to roleplay the following vignettes using the COOL response and the "Accept/Apologize/Makeup" process. Have the pair of BeCool sunglasses and the "3-Note Whistle" on audio cassette available for this.

1. You drew on the walls of your bedroom with your new crayons and your Mom got very angry. What do you do?
2. You knocked over the building a classmate made with blocks and he/she got very angry. What do you do?
3. You stepped on a classmate's hand and he/she screams and yells in an "angry" voice. What do you do?

Now allow the "angry person" to BeCool first by using the "check it out" process for Vignettes #2 and #3.