As discussed in previous articles in this series, there are many instances where children need to exercise self-discipline, perhaps in cases where they need to focus their attention, or when they need to bite their tongue instead of saying something they'll regret, or becoming more regimented to reach a goal.
The latter situation is one in which this lesson focuses. Begin the lesson by asking children what they would like to improve in. They should entertain ideas that they can improve upon in a short period of time by sticking to a daily routine. For instance, dribbling a basketball, reading with more expression, developing voice, or playing a song on an instrument. The idea behind this, is that in order to attain any goal one must discipline himself/herself to the necessary steps that will lead to his success. Explain that people who don't attain a goal are people who never really tried to attain it in the first place. Self discipline is hard, but necessary for many reasons.
Have each child, on a piece of loose leaf paper, write down one thing in which they want to improve over the course of one week's time. On the same piece of a paper, have each student list the things he or she must do each day in order to improve in that area. For instance, if a child writes that he wants to learn to play a song better on his saxophone by the end of the week he might write that he'll need to, practice fifteen minutes a day, let someone listen to the song and offer him feedback, make sure he has he doesn't leave his instrument at school....
Give the children a week to improve on their selected goal. For some, the teacher can invite them in to share their newly enhanced skills with the class.
The message, nothing happens to us. We must make it happen for us and the only way to do that is by taking control.