A better way to say sorry

I often get asked the question, "Do your children get along?"  And my response has consistently been, "It's love/hate at the moment.  One minute they are laughing, hugging and playing nicely with each other and the next, they are fighting or annoying each other."
 
I have one very specific childhood memory.  My dad would never get mad at me or my brother for anything (throwing water balloons off our 3rd floor balcony onto unsuspecting people?  No problem!) except for when my brother and I fought.  We were taking one of our famous road trips somewhere and I remember my dad pulling off the road to discipline us.  It worked...for that moment.  My brother and I fought like cats and dogs until we left the house for college.  Even now, we have disagreements of course, but they are quite tame.
 
Lauren for the most part doesn't bother Elizabeth.  She's not the type to intentionally try to get under someones skin like my Ebs.  Lauren finds joy in reading a Rainbow Fairy book, coloring, writing or playing with her ipad.  Elizabeth likes to copy, tease and get a reaction from her big sister, which of course is all very annoying to Lauren.  I have dealt with these types of altercations in primarily two ways.  Number 1: I send both to their room or give one a time out so she can calm down, realize her actions and finally say sorry.  Number 2: I tell them to deal with it on their own (typically when I don't have the energy or patience to execute Number 1).  In any event, the discipline ends when one says "sorry" and the other one says "it's okay."

However, I came across an article today about a better way to say sorry.  And here is the framework: 

1. I'm sorry for _____.
2. This is wrong because _____.
3. In the future I will _____.
4. Will you forgive me?

Following this framework teaches the children what it means to be sorry and deliver a genuine apology.  As the recipient, it teaches children about forgiveness. 

I'm excited to try this!  I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunity when I get home from work (I get home usually by 6:30 and they are in bed by 8:00 but you'd be surprised how much arguing can happen in just 1.5 hours!)