Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum
Enhancing Life Skills Through Experiential Learning
Samantha Gamblin, David Littlejohn, Ruth Chowning
4-H Youth Development Programming
Leadership 4-H Core Curriculum
Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum
Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H 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 in turn creates a solid foundation for positive youth development.
Strong writing, reading and presentation skills present youth with the dexterity of being good communicators as well as allowing them to form receptive relationships with peers and adults. When young people are confident and capable in presenting their thoughts and feelings they are more likely to accept roles of responsibility in their communities and enhance their contribution to society. This development of internal and external assets, as researched by the Search Institutes “The 40 Developmental Assets” helps to develop youth into competent, caring and contributing adults.
Youth will utilize the skills gained through education and involvement in Extension programs to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations;
Youth will gain communications skills and confidence that allow them to be competitive members of the current and future workforce;
Youth will feel invested in the 4-H/Extension program that helped them develop their communications and expressive arts skills, thereby, creating a sense of belonging and commitment;
Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in 4-H Communications & Expressive Arts Programs.
Youth will be healthier and happier as a result of a creative hobby of sewing and quilting. As a result of acquired skills, youth will decrease financial expenditures by repairing clothing, making household items and gifts.
Youth will construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body and closing;
Youth will make a presentation before their family, a group of their peers (such as at a 4-H club meeting), a school or county qualifying event
Youth will create resumes and learn about interview skills
Youth will demonstrate an increased level of confidence when presenting in front of groups;
Use their communication skills to assume a leadership role in 4-H or other organizations.
Youth will demonstrate expressive arts skills learned.
Youth will gain knowledge and ability to create clothing and household items through sewing skills
As a result of this program, youth will know how to:
Research a presentation topic prior to developing a speech or demonstration;
Write an outline, including an introduction, body and conclusion for their speech or demonstration;
Create a formal presentation, speech or outline using the written outline;
Be prepared to present before their family, a group of their peers(such as at a 4-H club meeting) and a school or county qualifying event;
Express themselves through the arts;
Create and express themselves through a sewing and quilting because of a change in awareness, knowledge, and self confidence in sewing skills.
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Outcome: Youth will become better communicators with their peers
Indicator: 4-H program participation, school and community participation
Method: Surveys, Personal Observation, 4-H Involvement
Timeline: Aug-May
Outcome: Youth will become better prepared for the workforce by using their skills learned in different settings
Indicator: school and community participation
Method: Surveys, Personal observation, evaluating local businesses hiring community members
Timeline: Youth starting to enter the workforce or attending college
Outcome: Youth will participate in 4-H sanctioned speech and demonstration contests
Indicator: Participation in local, area and state communications events
Method: Enrollment for events
Timeline: January-July
Outcome: Increase in number of Youth participation of 4H Sewing club
Indicator: Number of Youth reached participating in 4H Sewing club
Method: Observation and record of sign in sheets
Timeline: July- December 2016
Outcome: Change in knowledge and skills needed to use sewing machine
Indicator: Youth will be able to thread a sewing machine
Method: Observation
Timeline: July- December 2016
Outcome: Youth demonstrating one or more newly acquired skill
Indicator: Youth making garments and/or household items
Method: 4H record books, fair entry numbers and club records
Timeline: July 2017- June 2018
4-H School Enrichment Programs
4-H After School Programs
4-H Day or Summer Camps
4-H Clubs
County Speech and Demonstration Contests
District Speech and Demonstration Contests
Kentucky 4-H Performing Arts Troupe
State Fair Arts
State Fair Photography
Mock Interviews
Resume lessons
Step up to Leadership
Job Shadowing
Career exploration
Close the Deal!
Project or Activity: Monthly 4H Sewing club meetings
Content or Curriculum: UK 4H Clothing and Textiles curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, 4H Agent, Homemaker volunteers, 4H volunteers, UK resources
Date: July 2016- June 2017
Project or Activity: 4H Summer Sewing Weekly Diva’s
Content or Curriculum: UK 4H Clothing and Textiles curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, 4H Agent, Homemaker volunteers, 4H volunteers, UK resources
Date: June 2016, July 2017
Project or Activity: Summer 4H Sewing camp
Content or Curriculum: UK 4H Clothing and Textiles curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, 4H Agent, Homemaker volunteers, 4H volunteers, UK resources
Date: June 2016, July 2017
Project or Activity: 4H Style show
Content or Curriculum: UK 4H Clothing and Textiles curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, 4H Agent, Homemaker volunteers and resources, 4H volunteers
Date: Fall 2016
Author: Ruth Chowning
Major Program: Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum
The Bullitt County 4H Sewing club started with 5 members in 2016 and has grown to 17 attendees in 2018. With three Homemaker volunteers helping the club leader and Extension Agent for Family Consumer Sciences,students have learned to sew and express their creativity through sewing skills. The participants have made 10 dresser scarves, 8 baby quilts, 3 sets of table placemats, and 12 pillows. Six 1styear students have completed their skirt or pajama bottoms. Three 2
Author: David Littlejohn
Major Program: Communications and Expressive Arts 4-H Core Curriculum
With Bullitt County having a significantly low unemployment rate (4.2% as of May 2018-US Labor Statistics) it is often misunderstood that jobs are plentiful and non competitive. In reality, even entry level jobs are competitive. According to theladders.com (HR portal and Professional Recruitment Company) Entry level jobs often have 115 applicants for one job. Of the 115 applicants, often only 4-5% are selected for initial interviews. For a new High School, or College grad