Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Public speaking is one of an adult's greatest fears. In order to combat this fear, new groups of students are getting experience in public speaking skills through the Campbell County 4-H Program. At St. Catherine School, 40 sixth through eighth graders are receiving instruction in public speaking through speeches and demonstrations. The 4-H agent works with each grade with exercises such as impromptu speaking and team demonstrations. The teacher supports the 4-H communications program
Author: Lacy May
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
For the first time in many years a Magoffin County youth is serving on the Kentucky 4-H Performing Arts Troupe. At Teen Conference this past summer the very talented youth decided to step outside her comfort zone and accomplish her goals. The previous year while attending Teen Conference she immediately knew that she wanted to be on the stage next year performing for the entire delegation. It was her first year attending Conference and her first 4-H event outside summer camp. This summer she ret
Author: Jan Gibson
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capacities. This i
Author: Jan Gibson
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Interest in the traditional science fair has been declining in one of the schools. There is the age-old problem of who exactly DID the science fair exhibit that has contributed to the lack of interest to many of the students. The middle school teacher contacted the 4-H program to see how we could collaborate. Having served as a science fair judge for years, it has been my observation that one area that was lacking was the youth's ability to present their project. To combine
Author: Shannon Farrell
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
In the years leading up to the current; Clark County schools had never taken NTI or Non-traditional instruction days. These are days that the school system has on reserve (usually up to 10) for the purposes of fulfilling missed school days without having to tack on extra days at the end of the school year. NTI days are completed by students when they complete the teacher assigned packet of homework for the day. As events and uncertainty with the Coronavirus (COVID 19) began to
Author: Lora Stewart
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
According to https://factfile.org/10-facts-about-cake-decorating, the main reason people decorate cakes or cupcakes is because they want to celebrate an important occasion. In the school year 2018-19, the Gallatin County Extension Service offered a cooking club as well as several cooking camps. After giving choice of a cooking club or a cake decorating club, 4-H members unanimously decided on cake or cupcake decorating. They wanted to be ready to participate in the 4-H Cupcake Wars at the
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Public speaking is one of an adult's greatest fears. In order to combat this fear, new groups of students are getting experience in public speaking skills through the Campbell County 4-H Program. At St. Catherine School, 40 sixth through eighth graders received instruction in public speaking through speeches and demonstrations. The 4-H agent worked with each grade with exercises such as impromptu speaking and team demonstrations. Multiple workshops were held with all 3 grades to assist with
Author: Ola Donahue
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Facebook, Twitter, texting are how today’s youth communicate. Social media has become an important form of communication for all of us. Communication is essential to youth success and social media can certainly enhance youth communication skills. However, it is effecting verbal communication among our youth and can affect their future success. Verbal communication skills, like anything else, must be taught. The proper ways to speak, make eye contact and use body language are all a part of
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Public speaking skills are ranked number one among the skill sets of professionals. Other guiding factors for developing public speaking skills include leadership development, increased self- confidence, and ability to accept feedback. (University of California, 4-H Presentation Manual, revised 2016) Oldham County 4-H involved over 225 members in the 4-H Public Speaking program. Extension staff presented workshops focused on effective writing and presentations skills. At LaGra
Author: Jennifer Cole
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
With the trends of rapid growth happening throughout Pulaski County, as well as the conservative economic times we are in; it is imperative that youth develop distinguished skills in leadership and communication to give them the greatest chance to continue their education in college and find fulfilling and well-paying jobs in the future. Strong writing, reading and presentation skills present youth with the dexterity of being good communicators as well as allowing them to form receptive rel
Author: Dana Anderson
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Clogging, tie-dying, basket weaving, and tin can banjos! These were different stations at the first G.E.M.S. (Gifted Education in Mercer Schools) KY Arts Academy in Harrodsburg recently. A collaborative effort with Mercer County Cooperative Extension Service, Gifted Talented resource teachers at Mercer County Schools, planned the cultural affair for GT students in grades 4-12 and invited GT students from Burgin Independent Schools. The Academy was planned to expose students to Kentuc
Author: Jan Gibson
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Luckily the County 4-H Talk Meet had been held in the fall semester, so there were county champions designated to represent at the district event. But in March, the demonstration training had just begun. Upon the Covid changes preventing in-person meetings or events, learning techniques and practicing of 4-H demonstrations were offered via Zoom. Youth were offered appointments with the agent and volunteer leader to practice their demonstration and the scoring resulted in
Author: Mackenzie Pogue
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
A valued program in Muhlenberg County 4-H has repeatedly been the 4-H Communications Event. Youth are provided an opportunity to express themselves, build fundamental public speaking skills, gain confidence, and foster mastery by learning how to effectively communicate. At the end of February over 875 youth completed a 4-H demonstration. Come March, twenty youth were registered for the county level event. COVID-19 pandemic struck, canceling the scheduled in-person event.
Author: Ryan Farley
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Developing opportunities for youth to work on their soft skills is a constantly expressed need in Woodford County. As community partners around the county strive to find new and exciting ways to engage youth, the Woodford County 4-H Communications Contest provides an opportunity for participants to have fun, compete and work on their public speaking skills in a growth-centered environment. Partnering with the Midway Toastmasters, Versailles Kiwanis and the Woodford County 4-H Council, 49 youth g
Author: Lawrence Caudle
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
COVID-19 has affected every corner of our Nation and the University of Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension Service is no exception. Due to COVID-19, the Extension Service as a whole has moved a number of programs to video format and this goes for the Jefferson County 4-H Youth Development Program as well. One of the major programs the 4-H Program offers, the Communications Public Speaking Event, was held virtually and it was a great success. The Communications Program allows youth, ages 9-18,
Author: Lee Ann McCuiston
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Research shows that children who sing/dance/act or play an instrument are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement compared with their non-performing friends — and they tend to have enhanced cognitive, motor, and social development skills.The Todd County 4-H program offered a County 4-H Performing Arts troupe that is patterned after the Kentucky 4-H State Performing Arts Troupe. This local troupe had 15 middle and high school teens as members. Todd Count
Author: Kevin Lindsay
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
In response to the Covid-19 epidemic, the 4H program created a partnership with the UK College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment and the UK College of Nursing to bring together both colleges to write letters of thanks, encouragement, and support to Health Care Providers on the front line battling COVID-19 across Kentucky and the rest of the United States. The idea was to encourage 4-H youth, community members and College of Nursing students and employees to write letters of support. From the
Author: Kevin Lindsay
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Public Speaking skills are valuable communication tools that youth need to fully succeed in their school and career path. 4-H offers various ways to teach public speaking and other communication lessons. A parent of a youth who has down sydrome has raved about how much confidence public speaking has given her son as a result of him doing a demonstration. The mentioned youth participated in the March 2020 county demonstration contest and won first place in his division. He then competed at the di
Author: Charles Comer
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
When a former 4-H member is asked, "What did you gain through 4-H that has made the most impact on your career success?" the skill most often mentioned is public speaking. Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance. Communications skills are necessary to grow as an individual toward becoming a positive, productive and contributing member of the community. Within the scope of positive youth development, it is recognized
Author: Kimberly Ragland
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
The Boyle County Extension and 4-H Councils identified improving the ability to communicate as a key life skill local 4-H programs should focus upon. Cooperative Extension Service personnel cooperated with teachers in the Boyle County, Danville, and Danville Christian systems to provide public speaking education in a variety of formats. Eight in-classroom school clubs focusing on communications were conducted at Boyle County Middle School (200 youth). CES provided educators, cu
Author: Marla Stillwell
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
2020 was not the year anyone planned for, hoped for or dreamed of. The world was hit with a global pandemic which ultimately affected every human being on this planet not to mention the lifestyles they led. The effects of the restrictions placed on our communities due to COVID-19 forced state and local Extension professionals to think outside the box in order to somehow continue programming by means of utilizing technology in ways that had never been done. The term ‘virtu
Author: Jennifer Tackett
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Research shows a positive association between arts participation and a number of desirable academic and social outcomes, such as school grades, test scores, enrollment in post-secondary education, attainment of a bachelor’s degree, and higher levels of literacy and civic engagement. (Child Trends, 2013)This year in Kentucky 4-H, 11,538 youth revealed in an end of program evaluation that they have improved their communications skills by completing a speech, demonstration or other public pre
Author: Kimberly Lane
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
A valued program in Morgan County 4-H has repeatedly been the 4-H Communications Event. Youth are provided an opportunity to express themselves, build fundamental public speaking skills, gain confidence, and foster mastery by learning how to effectively communicate. At the end of February over 500 youth completed a 4-H demonstration and ready for the County Contest. Then in March half of the 25 school clubs had presented their 4-H speeches. COVID-19 pandemic struck, canceling t
Author: Sherri Farley
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communication skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading, and personal communication capacities. This i
Author: Stacey Potts
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Providing youth with the ability to enhance and develop communication skills is of great importance in Kentucky. The development of communications skills is one of the preeminent skills necessary to grow as an individual, a community member and a leader. Using age appropriate activities selected from the approved Kentucky 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Curriculum, educators can maximize the ability of youth to develop their writing, reading and personal communication capac
Author: Lisa Hagman
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
When the COVID-19 global pandemic forced Kentuckians into quarantine youth and families began spending more time at home, minimizing opportunities for youth to engage in typical extracurricular activities. Due to this situation the Kentucky 4-H Program began the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences on social media platforms. The goal of the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences was to maintain ways for youth and families to engage with 4-H projects, events and activities while learning new life skills th
Author: Owen Prim
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
The 4-H Achievement Program gives youth experience in learning to set goals, keeping records, planning and organizing, completing tasks and working with others. In the process youth learn to develop and practice communication skills through interviews, filling out forms and applications and by completing video presentations. Overall 4-H Youth Development Programs provide opportunities for creativity in a learning by doing environment and encourage youth to become involved in projects
Author: Catherine Weaver
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Public speaking and communication skills have been proven to be the most needed skills in order for citizens to obtain a job in the workforce. In order to provide this experience for youth at an early age, CES planned and implemented lessons in which over 1500 youth throughout the county were educated on the importance of communicating well, and on how to properly give a speech and demonstration. CES also implemented 4-H Speech and Demonstration contests at all 6 of the county elementary schools
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
The COVID-19 global pandemic forced families into quarantine and required them to spend more time at home, minimizing opportunities for youth to engage in typical extracurricular activities. The Kentucky 4-H Foundation offered mini grants to Counties wanting to do some type of virtual programming to help with the at home needs families were facing. The Jefferson County 4-H agents together submitted an application and received funds to support a virtual Art day camp. The day camp was
Author: Bernita Cheirs
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
According to Manoj Vasudevan, the 2017 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, says a person who is able to skillfully express himself or herself as an orator, especially early in life, is more likely to foster better friendships and relationships and build a larger network of collaborators. The Fulton County 4-H program works closely with the schools to prepare youth for the 4-H Public Speaking contest and to help them become an effective public speaker.This year due to the Covid-19 pan
Author: Courtney Brock
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
When the COVID-19 global pandemic forced Kentuckians into quarantine, youth and families began spending more time at home, minimizing opportunities for youth to engage in typical extracurricular activities. Due to this situation the Kentucky 4-H Program began the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences on social media platforms. The goal of the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences was to maintain ways for youth and families to engage with 4-H projects, events and activities while learning new life skills t
Author: Anna Meador
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
Although COVID-19 may have caused the cancellation of many youth in-person programs, Allen County 4-H was able to provide two public speaking opportunities to our Allen County youth through in-school speeches with the eighth grade and our Virtual 4-H Communications Contest.Each year students in the eight grade at James E. Bazzell Middle School have participated in a Speech Contest held in partnership with the James E. Bazzell Middle School, the Allen County Cooperative Extension Services and the
Author: Krista Perry
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
With technology continuing to advance rapidly, creating the path for youth to communicate nonverbally is easier; therefore, as youth become older, this will present a challenge when it is time for them to interview for scholarships, careers, and even communicate with others. Based on conversations with community leaders, communication is a strong need in the community for youth, which is why the Franklin County 4-H Program conducted a Communications Lesson to over 500 4th and 5th grade stu
Author: Leslea Barnes
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
When the COVID-19 global pandemic forced Kentuckians into quarantine youth and families began spending more time at home, minimizing opportunities for youth to engage in typical extracurricular activities. Due to this situation the Kentucky 4-H Program began the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences on social media platforms. The goal of the Kentucky 4-H Virtual Experiences was to maintain ways for youth and families to engage with 4-H projects, events and activities while learning new life skills th
Author: Brittany Osborne
Major Program: 4-H Communications and Expressive Arts Core Curriculum
As the 2020 pandemic closed schools in early March, McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service through McCracken County 4-H was able to adapt and evolve immediately. Schools closed on March 13, 2020 and the due date for registrations for the McCracken County 4-H Communications Day was March 16, 2020. All schools that annually host mandatory school competitions in previous years were reached out to by myself to ensure registrations and the competitor names were all in after the missed deadlin
