Content Areas and Lessons

The cluster of lessons in this “Understanding 4-H” category focuses on helping youth gain a better understanding of the breadth and diversity of 4-H. The lessons included in this guide are::

• 4-H 101: MN 4-H Local Ambassadors watch a few short videos showing what 4-H looks like in different places across the world and discuss what 4-H may mean to others in different contexts. Then they relate the Minnesota 4-H mission, motto, and slogan to their new perspective about 4-H by creating a Wordle using words they think represent what 4-H has to offer everyone.

• Experiential Learning: MN 4-H Local Ambassadors learn about each stage of the Experiential Learning Cycle. Because there’s no better way to learn than by doing, ambassadors will experience a few fitness games (with suggested adaptations for physical limitations included) showcasing why 4-H is all about learning by doing.

Additional Resources:

• All About 4-H University of Minnesota Extension https://extension.umn.edu/4-h/about-4-h

• Learn and Lead in 4-H! University of Minnesota Extension https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4K2SYDF4Do (3 minutes)

• Join Minnesota 4-H: There’s something for everyone! University of Minnesota Extension https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOgLsG1V0ac (2 minutes) 

The lessons in this “Promotion and Communication” category focuses on developing in youth their leadership, citizenship, and communication skills. The lessons included in this guide are:

• Group Dynamics: MN Local 4-H Ambassadors work together to solve a fictitious bank robbery. Then group roles and stages of development are introduced and practiced in this lesson with the intended purpose that youth and adults will work effectively together throughout the year.

• Reflection, Reflection, Reflection!: Because reflection is so important to the 4-H experience, youth learn about what quality reflection looks like and experience a few techniques and activities that set them up for reflection throughout the year.

• Public Speaking 101—Basic Interactions: Ambassadors experience engaging and fun exercises to help them learn the basics of being open and friendly.

Additional Resources:

• Youth at Legislative Briefing lesson. This is a lesson plan developed by 4-H staff that helps youth prepare for sharing their 4-H story with legislators. Even if you don’t plan to take your local ambassadors to government officials, this lesson is useful in helping teach public speaking skills.   

• Telling Your Story--Private and Public Value activity. This activity, developed by 4-H staff, helps youth tell their 4-H story in terms of both the private and public value of 4-H.

• Dugdale, S. (2016). Public Speaking Activities

https://www.write-out-loud.com/public-speaking-activities.html

• https://www.aresearchguide.com/3tips.html

• https://www.toastmasters.org/About/90th-Anniversary/90-Tips

• Public Speaking for Kids on NeoK12.com

https://www.neok12.com/Public-Speaking.htm

• Osterlund C., et al. (1992, revised 2011). Fun with Speaking. Oregon State University Extension Service Gilliam County

http://gunnison.colostate.edu/4h/4h_docs/PublicSpeakingActivities.pdf 

The cluster of lessons in this “Global Citizenship” category focuses on helping youth understand, develop, and apply 21st century leadership and global citizenship skills. The lessons included in this guide are::

• 21st Century Leadership: Youth gain an understanding of what successful leadership in the 21st century looks like and some time to practice them.

• What Is Global Citizenship?: Ambassadors practice the skill of “shifting frames of reference,” which helps them consider the views of other people. A team-building activity shows how small steps can have large impacts, and then they connect this small example to real life by watching a global citizen in a short youth-made film.

• What Does Global Citizenship Mean to Me?: Youth consider how thinking globally can help them act locally by working together to prioritize statements that express global-mindedness.

• Becoming Social Change Agents: Youth explore several examples of youth all over the world taking seriously their role in making positive global change.

Additional Resources:

• Skuza, J.A. & Russo, J.P. (2014). WeConnect: A global youth citizenship curriculum. St. Paul, MN: University of Minnesota.

https://shop4-h.org/products/citizenship-curriculum-weconnect-facilitators-guide

• Building Bridges: A Peace Corps Classroom Guide to Cross-Cultural Understanding. Peace Corps, Washington D.C.

https://files.peacecorps.gov/wws/pdf/BuildingBridges.pdf

The lessons provide an opportunity for youth to discover their individual potential and apply the skills they are learning to meaningfully contribute to 4-H and their local and global community. These lessons are intended to help youth see themselves as social change agents by moving from concept to action. As adult volunteers better understand and use service as a teaching method, youth develop critical thinking skills to better help them understand leadership and citizenship in a real way. The lessons included in this guide are:

• Igniting Passion in Service: Youth see civic engagement through service can be rooted in youth passion and interests. Participants explore the four types of service reinforcing how passion can be a stepping stone to a service experience meaningful to them and the community.

• Creating and Implementing a Community Action Plan: A series of 8 mini-lessons following the service-learning cycle of investigation, preparation, meaningful service, reflection/demonstration/celebration, and evaluation. 

Additional Resources: 

• Roehlkepartain, E. C. (2009). Service-learning in community-based organizations: A practical guide to starting and sustaining high-quality programs. Scotts Valley, CA: Learn and Serve America’s National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/Service_Learning_in_Community_Based_Organizations_456079_7.pdf

• National Youth Leadership Council at https://www.nylc.org

• Kaye, C. B. (2004). The complete guide to service learning: Proven, practical ways to engage students in civic responsibility, academic curriculum, and social action. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.

• Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) at www.nationalservice.org

• Service learning planning calendar