4-H Overview

4-H Overview 4-H is about Positive Youth Development thru the teaching and developing of life skills.

Tennessee 4-H has 5 competency areas: 4-H Overview Tennessee 4-H has 5 competency areas: Health/Physical Personal/Social Cognitive/Creative Vocational Citizenship and Ethics

Competency definitions Health/Physical Through an emphasis on exercise and proper nutrition, 4-H'ers are encouraged to develop habits that lead to a healthy lifestyle which will continue in adulthood. Personal/Social Being comfortable with yourself, cooperating with others, forming friendships, assuming responsibility and having self-discipline are important components of social development. The Tennessee 4-H program provides its members with opportunities to develop and enhance these skills through participation in club activities, camps, conferences and service projects. Cognitive/Creative Learning is an on-going part of life. Participation in 4-H projects allows members to choose specific areas of interest and increase their knowledge of those areas through activities. Project work also involves setting goals, evaluating progress, record keeping and communicating knowledge to others.

Competency definitions Vocational The 4-H club aims to provide its members with opportunities to gain an awareness of and explore a wide variety of career and vocational options. The life skills developed through 4-H participation help prepare young people for successful professional careers. Emphasis is also placed on avocational options and use of leisure time. Citizenship/Ethics Knowledge and understanding of the history and values of community or nation contribute to good citizenship. Involvement in the 4-H program not only teaches young people to appreciate others and learn about their surroundings, but also encourages them to become involved and find ways to make positive contributions to society.

4-H Overview Indicators of a Quality Program

4-H Overview Project Group 26-1 Honor Club 90-1 Judging Teams 169-Team Volunteers 22-1

4-H Overview Project Group 26-1 Honor Club 90-1 These Ratios represent the ratio of enrolled 4-H members to the members involved in the highlighted activity Judging Teams 169-Team Volunteers 22-1

Experiential Education Model 4-H Overview Experiential Education Model

4-H Overview Targeting Life Skills

4-H Overview Life Skills Achieving Goals Building Relationships Communication Citizenship Decision Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices Leadership Positive Self Esteem Responsibility Teamwork

4-H Overview Life Skills

Clubs

Setting the Stage for In-School 4-H Clubs Neal Smith Western Region Extension Area Specialist – 4-H

Your Cast of Characters . . . Who do you need to contact? School Superintendent Curriculum Coordinator Principal Secretary Teachers Guidance Counselor (for Special Interest)

Setting the Stage . . . Getting Prepared for the Meeting Decide your educational focus for the 4-H Club year Use August and September to develop lesson plans Prepare a three-ring binder with the materials you will need (i.e. script, background info., camera-ready copies of handouts, etc.) May develop a rotation system with educational programs Prepare your 4-H Club Calendar

Setting the Stage . . . Meeting with the Principal Have a proposed meeting date for the 4-H Club (i.e. every second Tuesday, each third Thursday) Highlight planned educational activities Be able to show connection with Terra Nova objectives Ask to be included with Teacher In-service Training Confirm decisions with follow-up letter

Setting the Stage . . . Meeting with the Principal Discuss discipline policy Where will you meet? How much time will you have? Will the students come to you or will you rotate to separate classes? Is there a “protocol” for subject matter? (i.e. Science/Technology, Communications, etc.) Can you use volunteers?

Setting the Stage . . . Meeting with the Principal Get permission to meet with teachers Determine if there is an opportunity to meet with teachers as a group Are there school specific priorities that 4-H can reinforce? Policy for student participation in 4-H events and activities (in-school AND out-of-school) Policy for rescheduling 4-H Clubs and the availability of a school calendar

Setting the Stage . . . Meeting with the Teachers As a Group or Individually Ask them to complete Volunteer Leader forms Highlight your discussion with the Principal Discuss their discipline plan Are there classroom management “issues” that you need to be aware of? Are their special needs students in the class?

Setting the Stage . . . Meeting with the Teachers Will they be in the room with you? Do you want them to? Do they have any class priorities or focus areas that 4-H can reinforce? As with Principal, emphasize the educational value of 4-H. Showcase the different delivery methods you can provide.

Setting the Stage . . . Different Delivery Methods Organized 4-H Clubs (In-school, community, after-school and military) Special Interest School Enrichment Service Learning Projects Select the appropriate delivery method based on the audience, subject matter area and/or restriction you might face. Example – Can’t meet high school club on a regular basis.

Delivery Methods Organized 4-H Clubs An organized group of youth, led by an adult, with a planned program that is carried on throughout all or most of the year. 4-H clubs may meet in any location and typically have elected officers and a set of rules approved by the membership to govern the club. In-school clubs – - Meet during school hours - Have officers - Planned activities beyond school enrichment

Delivery Methods Organized 4-H Clubs (cont.) Community clubs - Typically meet in the evenings or on weekends - Offer self-chosen multiple learning experiences and activities 4-H After-School clubs - Organized within child care settings - Have officers and planned activities Military 4-H clubs - Organized by the Armed Forces - Often on military installations, and principally for military dependents

Delivery Methods Special Interest Short-term programs Groups of youth meeting for specific learning experience Involves direct teaching by Extension Staff or trained volunteers, including teachers Program is not part of school curriculum Not restricted to members of 4-H Clubs

Delivery Methods Special Interest (cont.) Multiple-day meetings should be reported as short-term programs. The direct audience contact hours should be at least six (6) for enrollment to be reported Could provide Teachers with a list of programs you would be willing to deliver. (i.e. On My Own, Healthy Snacks, etc.)

Delivery Methods School Enrichment Groups of youth receiving a sequence of learning experiences in cooperation with school officials During school hours To support the school curriculum Involves direct teaching by Extension Staff or trained volunteers, including teachers

Delivery Methods Service Learning Projects Open to all club members Conducted at school or at home Allow student input on selecting project Could be included as part of other delivery methods

Leadership Opportunities An In-School 4-H Club: Putting the Pieces Together Participation: Opportunities to participate in the Club program. Opportunities to participate in local contests. Opportunities to be recognized for participation. Opportunities to showcase 4-H Project work. Life Skills: Communication Responsibility Achieving Goals Positive Self-Esteem Leadership Opportunities: Officers elected by the Club members. Provide leadership opportunities for all club members. Life Skills: Leadership Citizenship Teamwork Communication Responsibility Leadership Opportunities Participation Educational Component Service Learning Reinforce, don’t repeat, school work Unique to other clubs Service Learning: Open to all Club members. Conducted at school or at home. Allow student input on selecting projects. Life Skills: Leadership Citizenship Teamwork Educational Component: Taught by Agent, Program Assistant or Volunteer. Addresses Life Skills. Addresses TCAP/Terra Nova objectives. Is as hands-on as possible. Life Skills: Healthy Life Styles Citizenship Communication Responsibility

An In-School 4-H Club: Putting the Pieces Together Leadership Opportunities Participation Educational Component Service Learning

An In-School 4-H Club: Putting the Pieces Together Participation: Opportunities to participate in the Club program. Opportunities to participate in local contests. Opportunities to be recognized for participation. Opportunities to showcase 4-H Project work. When offering a local contest, provide educational lessons and materials to support the activity.

An In-School 4-H Club: Putting the Pieces Together Leadership Opportunities: Officers elected by the Club members. Provide leadership opportunities for all club members. Educational Component: Taught by Agent, Program Assistant or Volunteer. Addresses Life Skills. Addresses TCAP/Terra Nova objectives. Is as hands-on as possible. Service Learning

An In-School 4-H Club: Putting the Pieces Together Reinforce, don’t repeat, school work Unique to other clubs!

Leadership Opportunities An In-School 4-H Club: Putting the Pieces Together Participation: Opportunities to participate in the Club program. Opportunities to participate in local contests. Opportunities to be recognized for participation. Opportunities to showcase 4-H Project work. Life Skills: Communication Responsibility Achieving Goals Positive Self-Esteem Leadership Opportunities: Officers elected by the Club members. Provide leadership opportunities for all club members. Life Skills: Leadership Citizenship Teamwork Communication Responsibility Leadership Opportunities Participation Educational Component Service Learning Reinforce, don’t repeat, school work Unique to other clubs Service Learning: Open to all Club members. Conducted at school or at home. Allow student input on selecting projects. Life Skills: Leadership Citizenship Teamwork Educational Component: Taught by Agent, Program Assistant or Volunteer. Addresses Life Skills. Addresses TCAP/Terra Nova objectives. Is as hands-on as possible. Life Skills: Healthy Life Styles Citizenship Communication Responsibility

Setting the Stage . . . Things to consider: Send a 4-H Calendar each month to Principal, Secretary, Teachers and 4-H Club Officers Try to avoid scheduling 4-H Clubs on a Monday Be careful scheduling a club on the first day of a new month or first day back from a holiday The challenges of meeting in the afternoon versus morning When rescheduling, try to stay on the same day of the week as original date

First Meeting with Students . . . Things you will need: Member Enrollment Forms - Explorer (4th Grade), F845 - 5th – 12th Grades, F846 - Spanish version, F847 Plan for Electing Officers Yearbook Plan for Recognizing Participation

Questions?