Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing a Framework For Communication Skills
Communication and Expressive Arts
Turner, Susan
Communications and Expressive Arts
Leadership
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 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 share the elements of the music, dance, drama and visual arts with their community
Youth will be advocates for the arts
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 music, dance, drama and 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 music, dance, drama and visual arts
Outcome: Youth plan and implement an expressive arts project
Indicator: Youth complete a communication and expressive arts project
Method: 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey; number of youth who completed a project in the areas of arts, photography, or other visual arts
Timeline: 4-H project year September through August
Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge in researching, preparing and presenting a speech or demonstration
Indicator: number of youth who present speeches and/or demonstrations
Method: participation records of communications contests and workshops
Timeline: annually January through April
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project/Program: 4-H Communications Project
Curriculum: Communications Curriculum: Module 1, Module 2, Module 3
Inputs: curriculum, volunteers, paid staff, facilities
Date: monthly meetings held after-school January through April
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project/Program: 4-H Communications Contest
Curriculum: Communications Curriculum: Module 1, Module 2, Module 3
Inputs: curriculum, volunteers, paid staff, facilities
Date: County contest held in March, District contest held in April, State contest held in July
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project/Program: Visual Arts Project
Curriculum: Portfolio Pathways, Sketchbook Crossroads, KET Toolkit Visual Arts
Inputs: curriculum, volunteers, paid staff, facilities
Date: art project work meetings held twice annually for six weeks each session
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project/Program: Photography Project
Curriculum: Photography Level 1: Photography Basics, Photography Level 2: Next Level Photography, Photography Level 3: Mastering Photography, 4-H Filmmaking DVD
Date: Project club meetings monthly
