Wright County 4-H
Curriculum Library
After-School Agriculture Grades 3-5
Acres of Adventures
Adults and older youth will enjoy using these lesson plans to quickly engage youth in learn-by-doing agriculture activities within the following thematic units: Plant Detectives, Mystery Agriculture, All about Agriculture, Fast Food Agriculture.
Acres of Adventures 2
This group activity guide for the after school teacher provides ready to use lesson plans that will quickly involve youth in experiential activities related to the following thematic units: Insect Invasion, Farm Physics, Agriculture Gone Wild, Frontier Living.
Aerospace
Aerospace Adventures
1 - Pre-Flight
Wow! Talk about fun! Youth and their helpers have a great time working together as youth learn how to talk like a real astronaut, find out how an airplane works and have fun at the same time. Grades K-2 I20 pages!
2 - Lift-Off
Youth blast off with this guide as they fly kites, participate in airplane contests, launch rockets, explore space, make a glider, construct a straw rocket and experience disorientation. 140 pages!
3 - Reaching New Heights
Youth soar as they learn to fly an airplane, launch a rocket, conquer space and became an astronaut or pilot. Controlling flight direction and experiencing shuttle technology add bathe fun in this experiential curriculum. Youth make a shuttle on a string, a Japanese kite, a hang glider and a control panel al an aircraft
4 - Pilot in Command
Youth create their own altitude tracker, determine the most fuel efficient routes between airports and make a box kite. Youth also explore pilot certification requirements, evaluate past and present navigation systems, and learn about airport issues in their community or slate.
Aerospace Helper's Guide
This helper's guide provides group oriented experiences that will keep youth coming back for more. Many activities are included in this guide tot hands-on experiential group fun such as an aerospace quiz bowls, skillathons and an airport field day.
Zany Wooden Toys that Whiz, Spin, POP, and Fly.
28 Projects You Can Build from the Toy Inventor’s Workshop
28 of the coolest, easy-to-make, wooden action toys that will keep you entertained for hours and hours. With these top-secret plans from the Toy Inventor’s workshop, you’ll whiz a marble at warp-speed, spin a nickel until it’s dizzy, pop a gumball in the air, and fly a tissue to your sneezing friend. The best part is they can all be easily made using this simple-to-follow guide that includes detailed patterns, step-by-step instructions, and good ol’ engineering know-how.
Bicycle
Bicycle Adventures
Book 1: Bicycling for Fun
Beginning riders learn the essentials for getting started safely and successfully. The guide contains creative hands-on activities and connections to DVD and Web resources. Youth begin exploring the basics toward lifelong cycling. Activities help youth learn safety, road rules and planning for a pleasant ride.
Book 2: Wheels in Motion
Youth who are riding learn advanced skills as they explore their surroundings. The guide includes activities that will last a lifetime. Youth choose a bike that’s right for them and practice bike maintenance and road rules to make their ride safe and fun.
Bicycle Helper’s Guide
The helper’s guide is designed to provide engaging and fun group activities for cycling enthusiasts. It contains information and activities related to basic bicycle handling, traffic skills and bicycle events and activities the whole group will enjoy. Grades K-6
Minnesota Bicyclist’s Guide
A printed reference guide including helpful areas such as: Questions for parents; Which Bicycle to Choose; Bicycles and Safety Equipment; How to Take Care of Your Bicycle; How to Ride a Bicycle; How to Recognize and Avoid Hazards; Traffic Patterns and Controls; Traveling by Bicycle.
Child Development
Kids on the Grow
1 - Growing on My Own
Youth explore how they grow and develop, how to inspect toddler's toys and make their home hazard-free. They also learn more about their roles in life, how to handle their emotions and accept differences in others.
2 - Growing With Others
Youth learn about self care, rules, responsibility and safety and are introduced to babysitting. They learn to work with others and gain awareness of common dangers in their world.
3 - Growing in Communities
Youth explore child development careers, gain experience as a teacher or coach, participate in a community service project and learn that children with different abilities have different needs.
Child Development Helper's Guide
This guide features nine engaging group activities. Youth are encouraged to work with younger kids in after-school programs, day care centers, day camps, as well as with kids in their own 4-H club.
Citizenship
Citizenship - Public Adventures
Citizenship Adventure Kit
Decision making, problem solving and teamwork are among the skills that youth stamp on their passports. They address real community issues, and keep a journal of their thoughts, decisions and actions throughout the process. The kit includes a passport to record achievements, postcards with project tips and a travel log
Citizenship Guide's Handbook
Through tips, suggestions, added references and activities, youth take a journey that is fun and educational. Youth discover the importance of needs assessment, knowing who are advocates and detractors. formulating a plan and knowing what success looks like.
Clothing and Textiles
Sewing Expressions
1 - Under Construction
Youth have opportunities to create garments and unique costume.
2 - Fashion Forward
Youth develop buying strategies, accessorizing, apparel design and recycling skills.
3 - Refine Design
Advanced youth learn recycling, starting a business and the social and psychological influences of clothing
Sewing Expression’s Helper's Guide
A wide range of experientially based activities provide methods for helpers to motivate youth to learn sewing while developing critical life skills.
Textile Science
Leader’s Guide
Closet Connections
Formalwear
Wardrobe Planning
Create Your Own Project
Sewing for Other Projects and People
Clothes Shopping
Tailoring
Coordinates
Closet Connections
Knits
Time-saving Sewing
Design
Stitch by Stitch Beginner Project
Sew Much Fun Beginner Project
Sew Much More Beginner Project
Stitch and Save it Guides
How to Replace Elastic in underpants, half slips, and pajama bottoms
How to Replace A Broken Fly Front Zipper
How to Fix Torn Buttonholes
How to Replace Torn Off Buttons
How to Patch Knees In Pants
How to Fix A Torn Loose Pocket
How to Replace A Jacket Zipper
How to Make A New Hem
How to Replace Elastic in Skirts or Pants
How to Replace Knit Collar and Cuffs on a Jacket
Stitch in Time Guides
Shirt
ABC’s of Embroidery
Decorative Machine Stitchery
How to Finish Needlecrafts – Frames, Mats, Hoops
How to Finish Needlecrafts – Pillows
Custom & Fusible Tailoring Interfacing, pad-stitching, roll line, tailor tack, underlining
Additional Guides
Learn to Crochet
Needlepoint Basics
Patchwork Sampler
Embroidery Stitches
4-H Shopping in Style
Let’s Sew!
Cloverbuds
Workbooks
Cloverbuds
Cloverbuds in Cooking
Cloverbuds Discovery Pets
Cloverbuds On Horseback
Cloverbuds Activity Sheets
Cloverbuds: A 4-H Discovery Program for 6-8 year olds
Cloverbuds Activities Packet
Clowning
Clowning Resource Manual
The Art of Clowning
Member Guide
Leader’s Guide
Various Handouts
Makeup Worksheets
Warm-ups and Pantomimes
Makeup Case suggestions
Parade Ideas
Communications
Communications - Express Yourself!
1 - Picking Up the Pieces
Youth engage in nonverbal, verbal, and written activities that stretch and strengthen personal communication skills. Encrypting codes, writing songs, giving directions, dealing with bullies, and making a statement through art are a few of the exciting activities.
2 - Putting It Together
Youth practice and gain confidence in communicating in a variety of situations. They gain confidence as strong communicators as they present oral reasons, plan and present speeches, communicate assertively, practice making a good first impression and mentor others.
3 - The Perfect Fit
Youth polish their communication skills and develop a public presence by speaking in public, exploring communication careers, writing resumes, interviewing for a job, developing presentations, dealing with anxiety and much more.
Communications Helper's Guide
Helpers support youth as they interact, and strengthen personal communication skills through skillathons, communication games, demonstrations and creating advertisements.
Community Pride
Guidelines to the MN 4-H Community Pride Project
Consumer Education
Financial Champions
1 -Money Fundamentals
Youth learn money management skills, including deciding whether to make a purchase, determining whether they can afford it, and living within a spending plan.
2 - Money Moves
Youth learn about wants and needs, values. goal-setting, communications, ways to use and save money, the benefits and drawbacks of credit, advertising influences, consumer decision making and how to select financial services.
Financial Champions Helper's Guide
Youth participate in group experiences and financial activities. An interactive web based game reinforces the concepts learned in this curriculum
4-H Attention Shoppers
4-H Consumer Decision Making Brochures
Super Shopper
Member’s Manual
Leader’s Guide
Crafts and Fine Arts
Visual Arts and Crafts
Portfolio Pathways: Painting, Printing, and Graphic Design
Sketchbook Crossroads: Drawing, Fiber, and Sculpture
A Palette of Fun: Helper’s Guide for Children’s Art Activities
Art Books
Arts and Crafts
Nature Crafts
Exploring Ideas in Art: A guide for Adults, youth, and leaders
Arts Alive
Folk Arts
Crop Science
Gifts of Gold
Book 1: Seeds, Stalks, and Science: Agricultural Awareness
Book 2: Food Family, and Fun: Consumer Science
Book 3: Harvest, Husks, and Harmony: Communication and Expressive Arts
Preparing Plant Exhibits for the Fair Handout
Demonstrations
Various Handouts
Fun Facts to Know about Demonstrating
4-H Demonstrations
Demonstration Guidelines
Demonstrations for 4-H Members
4-H Demonstration Guidelines
Show What you Know: A youth guide to getting started in demonstrations and other presentations
Getting Started in 4-H Demo Talks…
4-H Public Presentation Guide
Down-To-Earth Gardening
Enriching Learning Through Gardening
Electric
Electricity
1 - Magic of Electricity
Electricity is everywhere. Youth explore why certain things insulate from electricity better than others, the effect that magnetism has on various substances, how to build a flashlight, build and test a compass, build an electromagnet and electric motor.
2 - Investigating Electricity
Decoding circuit diagrams, sending messages by Morse code and building three-way switches are featured. Youth build circuits and test voltages, build a rocket launcher and a burglar alarm as they practice decision making and communication. This unit is designed for youth who understand magnetism, electron flow and circuit design.
3 - Wired for Power
Youth build on skills learned in Levels 1 and 2 plus learn some new ones, such as measuring electrical usage, replacing electrical switches and determining electrical loads. Youth also evaluate different light bulbs and test for electrical power
Electric Excitement Helper's Guide
This helper’s guide has a number of exciting group activities that keep members coming back for more. It includes a variety of group activities that can be organized quickly and conducted with a group of three to 15 youth. Youth learn how to conduct an electric skillathon, quiz bowls, electric bingo and how to calculate amperage.
Entomology
Insectaganza of Excitement
1 - Creepy Crawlies
Introduces the world of insects. Activities focus on how they look and move and provide some background for studying important entomology
2 - What’s Bugging You?
Shows you how to make insect collection tools and expands on the basic concepts of biodiversity, invasive species, integrated pest management, and forensic entomology.
3 - Dragons, Houses, and other Flies
Delves even deeper into the basic concepts and encourages you to take control of your learning by doing your own research using the scientific method and reference materials.
Entomology Helper’s Guide
Dragonflies and Damselflies Pocket Guide
Collecting & Preserving Insects Handout
Entrepreneurship
Be the E
Youth discover the world of entrepreneurship with this multi-Level guide. Activities assist youth in learning what it takes to bean entrepreneur and whether they have the right stuff to meet the challenges. Youth practice the skills needed to function successfully as an entrepreneur and explore types at businesses, products and pricing, marketing, partnership, agreements and contracts. Youth create a business plan and start their own business.
Entreprenuership Helper's Guide
This guide is full of hands-on activities for helpers to use with group meetings of youth pursuing entrepreneurship. All activities are correlated to the national educational standards and benchmarks for middle and high school students.
Experiential Learning
Heads-on, Hands-on Video
It's here! A tool that will help Extension 4-H educators and professional staff and volunteers in youth programming in all youth organizations make sense of experiential learning. You have lectured,roleplayed and experimented with all sorts of simulations. New you have the real thing. This training and teaching package - a facilitator's guide, video/DVD and web site - uses an experiential training design to illustrate how experiential learning takes place with real volunteers, children and youth. No attempt is made to say that this is the right way, but rather a way that can be modified to fit your style as a facilitator.
Exploring 4-H
Exploring the Treasures of 4-H
Youth Guide
This youth activity guide provides a "treasure hunt" for youth to explore the joys of 4-H by discovering their interests, potential 4-H projects and finding 4-H where they live with the guidance of parents or other adult helpers.
Treasures of 4-H Helper's Guide
This activity-packed guide is designed for teachers, volunteer leaders and other educators. The activities help groups of youth explore the many treasures of 4-H. Activities are organized into eight categories linked to national education standards with suggestions provided for continued study in related 4-H projects
Exploring Animals:
Exploring Farm Animals
K-3 Curriculum Helper’s Group Activity Guide
Livestock Judging
Exploring Your Environment
Exploring YOUR Environment
Level 1: Eco-Wonders Youth Activity Guide
Level 2: Eco-Adventures Youth Activity Guide
Level 3: Eco-Actions Youth Activity Guide
Helper’s Guide Group Activities
Our World of Water
Exploring the Environment Conservation Members’ Manual
Working on WASTE
Exploring Your Environment
Ecosystem Services
Youth will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities that focus on how living and non-living organisms interact within the ecosystem and provide benefits for humans and other living beings
Exploring Your Environment: Facilitator's Guide
The Facilitator's Guide will provide training, supplemental activities and resources to ensure the high quality delivery of the curriculum to individual youth and groups of young people.
Flower Gardening
Preparing Flowers for the Flower Show
Handout with information on how to prepare and show flowers.
Flower Gardening
Growing annual and perennial flowers, starting indoors, growing from seed and arranging a flower border, flower arrangement.
Specialty Cut Flowers
Guide to planting, growing, harvesting, postharvest, and suppliers
4-H Flower Arranging
Guide to the basics of flower arranging
Food and Nutrition
Foods
A - Six Easy Bites
Youth prepare foods, do fun experiments and go on fact-finding missions.
B - Tasty Tidbits
Youth learn healthy food selection, food safety and smart food purchasing through exciting and challenging activities.
C - You're the Chef
Youth explore food careers and learn food preservation and preparation through activities
D – Foodworks
Youth learn about foods and more advanced food preparation. They have access a funwebsite where they can download recipes from across the country and around the world.
Foods Helper's Guide
Helpers will find group activities and answers to the questions posed in the youth guides here and on the website. Developed by Purdue University
4-H Food Presentations
Guide on food speeches, illustrated talks, and demonstrations.
Microwave Magic Grades 3
A - Bags of Tricks
Youth engage in activities to understand how the microwave works, learn to use the microwave safely and prepare foods such as scrambled eggs, apples, popcorn treats, fudge and desserts.
Youth participate in activities on understanding watts and prepare foods such as potatoes, vegetables, pudding bar cookies, beans, upside down cake and brownies.
C - Amazing Rays
Through activities youth practice more advanced microwave techniques such as shielding, defrosting and browning.
D - Presto Meals
Youth learn techniques such as adapting recipes for the microwave, blanching fruits and vegetables and stacking whole meals.
Microwave Helper's Guide
This guide for helpers includes group activities and answers to the questions posed in the youth guides.
Breadmaking
Guide to creating a quality loaf of bread, including recipes
Electric Bread Machines
Features to consider, recipes and more.
Food Review
Food Review Guidelines
Objectives and judging information
Food Review Leaders Packet
Sample food review ideas, evaluation sheets, practice judging questions
Fishing Sports
Fishing for Adventure