Domino Effect
Kimberly Thurston

Objective: To point out the importance of planning small, consecutive goals in order to achieve a long-range goal.
 

Materials Needed: Dominoes.
 

Procedure: Line up three rows of dominoes, the first with a small gap in the middle so that the whole row will not fall down. The second row should have a domino off center to keep a chain reaction from occurring. The third row should be straight with all the dominoes close enough to ensure the successive fall of all of them.
 

Start the lesson with a brief discussion about planning goals. Explain that in order to achieve a long-range goal, we must have several small, well-planned goals to keep on course to our ultimate goals. Knock down the row of dominoes with the gap in the middle. Point out that if we skip a vital step in our progressive goals, we will not succeed.
 

Knock down the second row with the off centered domino. Use this to point out that if we don't stay on course with our goals, we will not achieve our desired results.
 

To illustrate success through strictly followed, well planned goals, knock down the third row, which will completely fall down. This lesson becomes more meaningful if you give an example of a long-range goal and actually plan out the different key steps that will help you achieve it.