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About the Directory

The 4-H National Directory of Materials is an online database that has hundreds of educational materials for 4-H youth, volunteers and staff, many that are part of the National 4-H Curriculum Collection. The directory contains both print and electronic products that cover a variety of subjects

About 4-H

4-H is the youth development program with a direct connections to technological advances from research conducted at the nation’s state land-grant universities and colleges. The fundamental 4-H ideal of practical, “learn by doing” experiences encourages youth to learn experiment, innovate and think independently. 4-H offers youth opportunities to master life’s challenges, cultivate independence from caring adults, gain a sense of belonging and share their spirits of generosity.

4-H Individual Project Curriculum

Audience: Youth
Description: Emphasis on products for individual learning by youth with the guidance of an adult/youth helper. Products for the adult/youth helper to guide and support learning must be included. Products provide in-depth content on subjects, often with multiple levels of difficulty. These materials provide breadth, depth, duration, and frequency of learning experiences. The curriculum design typically provides

sequentially planned learning experiences that are intended to produce changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills, aspirations, and/or behaviors.
Example: Dairy Cattle Curriculum

4-H Curriculum for Groups

Audience: Youth
Description: Emphasis on products for adult or youth leaders to facilitate group learning that are easy to implement with limited preparation time or few resources. Materials for the youth participants are integral for learning. Materials to take home for family reinforcement are also very important, particularly with younger audiences. Curriculum that is designed to be used in small or large groups that have approximately 30-45 minutes per learning session; guided by an adult or youth facilitator. Curriculum should be designed for a minimum of 6 total hours of educational experiences.

The curriculum design often provides sequentially planned learning experiences that are intended to produce changes in knowledge, attitudes, skills, aspirations, and/or behaviors.
Example: Acres of Adventure Curriculum

4-H Volunteer - Professional Development Materials

Audience: Adult/Youth
Description: Materials that provide training, support or professional development with the goal of improving performance

so that staff and volunteers are as effective as possible in carrying out their roles in positive youth development. Products may be in print and electronic formats.
Example: 4-H 101: The Basics of Starting 4-H Club

4-H Resources

Audience

: Adult or Youth, Individual or Group
Description: Any number of additional resources, often intended for adult audiences, that are designed to supplement materials or provide activities or guidance for volunteers. Materials can be web-based, print, or produced in other mediums.

These may include the following types of materials:

Rapid Response Materials: Materials that need to be produced and disseminated quickly in response to an emergency, health threat, or other topics that need a quick response. Materials are generally produced by state specialists, faculty, or National Program Leaders and posted quickly on web sites. This category could also allow curriculum postings on a web-site while waiting for print materials.
Example: Understanding Avian Influenza

Grab & Go’s: Materials that are often activity-based materials intended to introduce a topic area but do not include a full scope and sequence. These may be most appropriate for camps or other activity-focused settings that are activity focused.
Example: The Power of the Wind

Guides: These materials may provide additional background information in support of other 4-H materials, or simply provide a volunteer with more in-depth guidance than found in a Grab & Go yet less in-depth than curriculum.
Example: Conducting Business, a guide on parliamentary procedure.

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4-H National Directory of Materials