Extension
It Starts With Us
McCracken County 4-H Communication and Arts Education
4-H Youth Development and Education
Dodson, Davis, and Hunter
Communications & Expressive Arts
Leadership
Health & Wellbeing
Volunteer Engagement in the Arts
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 Communication & 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 (Jones, K. R. 2006) Research also 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, 2012) Kentucky 4-H provides communication and expressive arts by engaging youth in hands-on educational experiences that inspire confidence and foster a love for the arts. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of public speaking, visual arts, and performing arts.
- Youth will utilize the skills gained to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations.
- Youth will be advocates for the arts.
- Youth will be able to effectively communicate with others around them.
- Youth will construct a speech that has a clear introduction, body, and closing.
- Youth will demonstrate an increased level of confidence, when presenting in front of groups.
- Youth apply elements of visual arts in creating and performing.
- Youth will gain knowledge in researching, preparing and presenting a speech or demonstration.
- Youth can identify key elements of visual arts.
Initial Outcome:
- Youth plan and implement a communication and expressive arts project (speech, demonstration, drama, photography, etc)
Indicator: Youth complete a communication and expressive arts project
Method:
- 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
- Number of youth who completed a speech or demonstration? (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who completed a state fair arts, photography, or other visual arts project? (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who completed a drama, music, or dance project? (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H a place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
Timeline: 4-H Program Year
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will demonstrate an increased level of comfortability and confidence writing speeches with transitions, attention getters, body and closing.
Indicator: Youth compete with revised and altered speeches in progressing competitions based on judges feedback.
Method:
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H a place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
Timeline: School Year
Long-term Outcome: Youth will utilize the skills gained to serve as leaders in 4-H and other organizations
Indicator: Youth join 4-H via a community or school club, youth become involved in other organizations and speaking competitions such as Kentucky Farm Bureau Outstanding Youth Competition or Toastmasters
Method: 4-H Enrollment Sheets and community outreach and collaboration with other organizations, reference letters
Timeline: School Year and beyond
Audience: Youth ages 9 - 19
Project or Activity: Public speaking - County Communications Day
Content or Curriculum:
- Curriculum: Communications Curriculum: Module 1, Communications Curriculum Module 2, Communications Curriculum Module 3, RISE
- Training: Agent In-services
Inputs: Volunteers, Public Speaking, GT and English Teachers, UK Agents, Specialists
Date: School Year
Audience: Youth ages 9 - 19
Project or Activity: Public Speaking - Grab Bag Speeches
Content or Curriculum: Agent Developed Curriculum
Inputs: Students, County 4-H Agent
Date: School Year
Audience: Youth ages 6 - 19
Project or Activity: Communicating Effectively
Content or Curriculum: Agent Developed Curriculum
Inputs: County 4-H Agent, Student's, Leadership classes, teachers, specialists
Date: School Year
Audience: Youth ages 9 - 19
Project or Activity: Photography
Content or Curriculum:
- Curriculum: Photography Level 1: Photography Basics, Photography Level 2: Next Level Photography, and Photography Level 3: Mastering Photography
Inputs: County 4-H Agent, Art Teachers, 21st Century Directors, WKCTC, Volunteers, Specialists
Date: School Year
