McCracken County 4-H Communication and Arts Education
4-H Youth Development and Education
Osborne, Dodson, Bell
Communications and Expressive Arts
21st Century Skills (Career & Workplace Development)
Leadership
Health
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
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: AP Spanish Class
Project or Activity: Public Speaking in Spanish Competition
Content or Curriculum: Agent' Translated and Developed Curriculum
Inputs: Spanish Teachers in Community, County 4-H Agent, California and Florida 4-H Curriculum, UK Specialists
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:
- Visual Arts
Content or Curriculum:
- Curriculum: Portfolio Pathways, Sketchbook Crossroads, KET Toolkit Visual Arts, Photography Level 1: Photography Basics, Photography Level 2: Next Level Photography, Photography Level 3: Mastering Photography, 4-H Filmmaking DVD, Getting Started in Art
Inputs: County 4-H Agent, Art Teachers, 21st Century Directors, WKCTC, Volunteers, Specialists
Date: School Year
Author: Lisa Dodson
Major Program: Leadership
The 99th Annual Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference was held at the University of Kentucky June 13-16, 2023. The objectives of Kentucky 4-H Teen Conference are: develop leadership and teamwork skills, improve communication skills, foster civic engagement, expand knowledge and skills related to 4-H core content areas, gain club, county and state 4-H program skills, have fun, create a sense of belonging, expand social skills through networking, develop youth-adult partnerships, and become acquainted with