In today’s world communication is so important — from interpersonal relationships to cultural understanding, speech making, safety in online spaces, and job interviews. Experiential activities in this curriculum provide opportunities for youth to practice and gain confidence in communicating in a variety of situations.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Interpret verbal and nonverbal information
- Enhance writing and spoken communication
- Defend a point
- Design a presentation
4-H Communication Arts Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Communications Curriculum: Module 1
In today’s world communication is so important — from interpersonal relationships to cultural understanding, speech making, safety in online spaces, and job interviews. Experiential activities in this curriculum provide opportunities for youth to practice and gain confidence in communicating in a variety of situations. Topics in this book include communication preferences, active listening, identifying aggressive communication, using visual aids, making introductions, and writing letters and songs.
Communications Curriculum: Module 2
Topics in this book include conflict resolution, online communications and social media, cultural differences in communication, writing thank you notes, press releases, and speeches, and careers in communications.
Communications Curriculum: Module 3
Topics in this book include understanding interpersonal electronic communication usage, evaluating advertisements, writing resumes and cover letters, safety in online communication, leadership and teamwork, and digital storytelling.
The 4-H Journalism Project book is divided into three parts: In Part l, Exploring Journalism, you will be introduced to different types of news, learn how news is packaged for print and broadcast, learn how newspapers and news programs pay the bills, and explore careers in journalism. In Part 2, Writing the News, you will apply what you have learned while developing and practicing skins needed to gather news and write news stories. Part 3, Advanced Journalism
Find the motivation you need to start or continue your exploration of the art of writing. Explore why to write, where to get ideas, theme, character, plot and setting, word choice, imagery, and dialogue. Keep it all in one place to create the year’s portfolio.
Finding Your Voice: Public Speaking Made Easy
Want to learn a skill you can use for the rest of your life? This project shows members with little or no public speaking experience how to prepare and deliver speeches in front of crowds with confidence. Take a look at how the pros manage this skill, then learn how to handle various speaking situations, deliver different types of speeches, and resolve problems you may experience along the way. Your confidence builds with each activity!
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Public Speaking 4-H Member Manual
Bulletin includes: purpose and activities, speech preparation, speech writing, tips on delivering your speech, where to give your speech, a rate-yourself checklist.
4-H Club Reporter Packet: Reporter Duties & Resources (PDF)
Club reporters not only run club meetings and work with volunteer and officer teams to create yearly plans, but they submit reports and pictures of club activities and members to local media outlets, the Extension office. Should a youth choose a creative writing or journalism project, these activities can be a part of the project area.
Getting to the Point: How to do a 4-H Public Presentation
Tips for demonstrations, illustrated talks, presentations, and how to get your message across.
For adult helpers and club leaders
Used to judge public speaking presentations in 4-H contests.
To be used to judge public presentations in 4-H contests.
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
4-H Communication Activity Page – University of Tennessee 4-H (PDF)
You communicate every day. You communicate when you talk, write or express your thoughts in other ways. Listening to others is also part of communication. It takes practice to be a good communicator. This 4-H project will help you learn about different kinds of communication and how to make yourself a better communicator. Some of the skills you can learn and activities you can do in this project are listed below. Check your favorites. Then, work with your 4-H leaders and parents to make a 4-H project plan for what you want to do and learn this year.
True Leaders in Equity: 4-H Writing Equity Challenge Quick Guide (Google Doc)
Be a global citizen by putting pen to paper to explore and share about an equity issue important to you! It must be writing, but it can take any form—poem, essay, letter, etc.
Steppin’ Outdoors: Nature Journal (Google Doc)
Get started documenting your nature experiences through a creative journal.
Creative writing project resource guide (Google Doc)
The purpose of this project resource guide is to help support your learning within the creative writing project area. It provides step-by-step suggestions on how to get started and how to continue learning within the project area.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Washington State University Murrow Edward R. Murrow College of Communication
University of Washington Department of Communication
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Communicating Effectively…the 4-H Way: 4-H Speak Pack (PDF)
From 4-H Canada, Alberta Agriculture, Food, and Rural Development 4-H Branch
Congratulations! You Are Reporter of Your 4-H Club – Michigan 4-H (PDF)
Includes information on how to choose media outlets, a checklist of reporter responsibilities, basic social media rules, a guide on how to write a good news article, sample article, and a reporter’s template.
Clay County 4-H Creative Writing Project Manual – Purdue University Extension (PDF)
Includes tips for young writers, activity ideas, and writing prompts.
4-H News Reporter Project Area – West Virginia 4-H
Conquering Fears of Speaking in Public Fact Sheet – Purdue University Extension (PDF)
Overcoming Speaking Anxiety in Meetings and Presentations – Purdue University Extension (PDF)
Tips for Effective Demonstrations- Purdue University Extension (PDF)
Checklist for a Good Interactive Demonstration- Purdue University Extension (PDF)
News, Democracy and You- Purdue University Extension
Explore the basics of news writing. This guide addresses 28 topics from writing and photography techniques to copyright and freedom of the press. Youth can express themselves creatively and improve their ability to communicate – perhaps sparking interest in exciting communication careers.
4-H Demonstration and Public Speaking Part 1 (YouTube video)
This video is designed to help 4-H youth better understand how to develop a demonstration or speech. Part 1 focuses on selecting a topic and writing content. Part 2 focuses on presentation skills.
Demonstration and Public Speaking Part 2 (YouTube video)
This is the second of a two part series regarding the 4-H verbal communication events. Part 2 addresses delivery, voice, visual aids, and other presentation skills.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H