January: Self-Discipline Lesson
Students will identify and define the character trait “Self-Discipline.” They will then create a plan which will help them use self-discipline by applying the 3R Strategy - Retreat, Rethink, React.
TIME REQUIRED FOR LESSON
45 minutes
MATERIALS/RESOURCES
· Book: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
· Paper/Pencils
Activities
1. Read the story Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Preface the story by asking the students to listen to find out what happens to Lilly when she does not use self-discipline, and what she could have done instead. Ask students to identify what the word “self-discipline” means after listening to the story.
2. Teach the 3R strategy of handling anger and conflict to the students. Provide examples of each from the story on the incorrect way to use the 3R method:
o Lilly reacted first by creating the negative picture of her teacher.
o Then she retreated by going home that day, angry after school, and on her way home she saw the note and the snacks from her teacher.
o Then she used rethink after she felt bad and wrote the apology to her teacher.
3. Allow the students to create the correct way of using the 3R Strategy with the help of the counselor or teacher. This 3R strategy is a method for using self-discipline, or self-control.
o Lilly could retreat first, by walking or moving away from the situation in order to calm down.
o Then she could rethink what she wanted to say or do.
o Lilly could then react in a more positive way, without hurting herself or anyone else.
Assessment
In order to assess the students, they can write a letter to Lilly, suggesting the 3R strategy or other useful ways to deal with anger. Students should use the correct format for writing letters.
Supplemental information
A teacher/counselor-created handout titled, “Safe Ways to Handle Anger” could be included with relaxation techniques, taking a walk, punching or hitting safely, etc.
3rd-5th
If this is your first time giving a lesson, take a little time to:
· Introduce yourself and tell a little about yourself
· Ask what good character is. Explain that it is what kind of person you are and how you act toward yourself and others. All Wake County schools study a character trait each month. All students do the same trait each month. However this does not mean that you only show that trait for one month. Rather you try to display all the traits your entire life.
· Explain good character education is learning and discussing different ways to show good character. You as a volunteer help them learn. So do teachers, parents, coaches, siblings, friends, etc.
Ask the students what they think self-discipline means. Self-discipline is working hard to be in control of your words, actions, impulses and desires. Self-discipline is being committed to a purpose and regulating yourself for improvement. It can be refraining from inappropriate behaviors. Self-discipline is doing your best in all situations.
Some ways to practice self-discipline:
1). Start with small things. Clean your room at home or your desk at school. Train yourself to put things where they belong when they are out of place. Get yourself to the point where the orderliness matters so you can function without a myriad of distractions. Such neatness will further develop self-discipline by forcing you to make decisions about what is important and what is not.
2). Make a schedule and stick to it. If you don’t control your time everything and everything else will.
3). Do the most difficult task first (prioritize). Most people do the opposite; spending time doing the easier, low priority task, the difficult, high priority task are left undone.
4). Keep your word. When you make commitments, see them though. This calls for the discipline to properly evaluate whether you have the time and capability to so something. And once you have made the commitment, self-discipline will enable you to keep it. If you start something, finish it. Therein lays an important key to developing self-discipline.
5). Accept correction. Correction helps you develop self-discipline by showing you what you need to avoid.
6). Practice self-denial. Learn to say no to your impulses. Delaying gratification is another aspect of self-discipline that is often over looked.
7). Welcome responsibility. Volunteer to do things that need to be done. That will force you to have your life organized enough to have the time for such projects.
Also discuss with the students how having self-discipline helps them to improve? Do you become better readers, athletes, musicians by having self-discipline? Also, how does having self-discipline help you make better choices?
Ask the students how self-discipline is related to other character traits? We have discussed responsibility, respect, courage and kindness this year.
Read the selected book(s) to the class:
3rd grade – The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey
4th grade & 5th grade – The Emperor and the Kite by Jane Yolen
Students will identify and define the character trait “Self-Discipline.” They will then create a plan which will help them use self-discipline by applying the 3R Strategy - Retreat, Rethink, React.
TIME REQUIRED FOR LESSON
45 minutes
MATERIALS/RESOURCES
· Book: Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
· Paper/Pencils
Activities
1. Read the story Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Preface the story by asking the students to listen to find out what happens to Lilly when she does not use self-discipline, and what she could have done instead. Ask students to identify what the word “self-discipline” means after listening to the story.
2. Teach the 3R strategy of handling anger and conflict to the students. Provide examples of each from the story on the incorrect way to use the 3R method:
o Lilly reacted first by creating the negative picture of her teacher.
o Then she retreated by going home that day, angry after school, and on her way home she saw the note and the snacks from her teacher.
o Then she used rethink after she felt bad and wrote the apology to her teacher.
3. Allow the students to create the correct way of using the 3R Strategy with the help of the counselor or teacher. This 3R strategy is a method for using self-discipline, or self-control.
o Lilly could retreat first, by walking or moving away from the situation in order to calm down.
o Then she could rethink what she wanted to say or do.
o Lilly could then react in a more positive way, without hurting herself or anyone else.
Assessment
In order to assess the students, they can write a letter to Lilly, suggesting the 3R strategy or other useful ways to deal with anger. Students should use the correct format for writing letters.
Supplemental information
A teacher/counselor-created handout titled, “Safe Ways to Handle Anger” could be included with relaxation techniques, taking a walk, punching or hitting safely, etc.
3rd-5th
If this is your first time giving a lesson, take a little time to:
· Introduce yourself and tell a little about yourself
· Ask what good character is. Explain that it is what kind of person you are and how you act toward yourself and others. All Wake County schools study a character trait each month. All students do the same trait each month. However this does not mean that you only show that trait for one month. Rather you try to display all the traits your entire life.
· Explain good character education is learning and discussing different ways to show good character. You as a volunteer help them learn. So do teachers, parents, coaches, siblings, friends, etc.
Ask the students what they think self-discipline means. Self-discipline is working hard to be in control of your words, actions, impulses and desires. Self-discipline is being committed to a purpose and regulating yourself for improvement. It can be refraining from inappropriate behaviors. Self-discipline is doing your best in all situations.
Some ways to practice self-discipline:
1). Start with small things. Clean your room at home or your desk at school. Train yourself to put things where they belong when they are out of place. Get yourself to the point where the orderliness matters so you can function without a myriad of distractions. Such neatness will further develop self-discipline by forcing you to make decisions about what is important and what is not.
2). Make a schedule and stick to it. If you don’t control your time everything and everything else will.
3). Do the most difficult task first (prioritize). Most people do the opposite; spending time doing the easier, low priority task, the difficult, high priority task are left undone.
4). Keep your word. When you make commitments, see them though. This calls for the discipline to properly evaluate whether you have the time and capability to so something. And once you have made the commitment, self-discipline will enable you to keep it. If you start something, finish it. Therein lays an important key to developing self-discipline.
5). Accept correction. Correction helps you develop self-discipline by showing you what you need to avoid.
6). Practice self-denial. Learn to say no to your impulses. Delaying gratification is another aspect of self-discipline that is often over looked.
7). Welcome responsibility. Volunteer to do things that need to be done. That will force you to have your life organized enough to have the time for such projects.
Also discuss with the students how having self-discipline helps them to improve? Do you become better readers, athletes, musicians by having self-discipline? Also, how does having self-discipline help you make better choices?
Ask the students how self-discipline is related to other character traits? We have discussed responsibility, respect, courage and kindness this year.
Read the selected book(s) to the class:
3rd grade – The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey
4th grade & 5th grade – The Emperor and the Kite by Jane Yolen