School Enrichment - 4-H

Dear Principles and Teachers, 

4-H in Sarasota County Schools is not new, but always expanding. The 4-H Program has worked in close partnership with Sarasota County Schools for many years. Specialists at the University of Florida developed the majority of the curriculum we provide to teachers. The student workbooks, teacher lesson plans, and support materials come to you at no cost. 

4-H staff is available, upon request, to provide workshops, and hands-on activities. Please review the following pages for a glimpse of what 4-H has to offer through our School Enrichment Program. 
We look forward to working with you to offer the youth of Sarasota County the finest educational and developmental experience possible. If you have any questions with regard to our programs please contact our office at 861-9810.

The following Topics are available by contacting Sarasota County Extension 4-H Office. Click for more information on the curriculum for your school or home-schooled child.

4-H Tropicana Public Speaking

This program is designed to give 4th, 5th, and 6th grade student's experience in the preparation and delivery of a speech. Students develop confidence, poise, and acquire the ability to speak and express ideas convincingly. All materials are provided and an exciting county competition is held for school winners.  More...

Vegetable Gardening (Radish Growing Contest)

3rd GRADE TEACHERS! Don't miss this - The Sarasota County Radish Growing Contest. The purpose of this project is to introduce young people to vegetable gardening. To teach the basic skills of planting and caring for vegetable plants, help
students learn how to report what they have learned, and receive recognition for their accomplishments.
 More...

Youth Garden

Maintain and grow a school garden on site. With the help of 4-H staff and a master gardener, students learn to prepare soil, plant seeds and harvest vegetables. This project can be done during or after school hours.

Entomology

Sarasota County is piloting this new curriculum on insects in partnership with the University of Florida. Students will learn to raise the fascinating antlion, and gain knowledge on insect identification and classification. (Materials available January 2008)

Sun Safety

The sun is a star that helps plants and animals on earth. It gives us light so we can see, it keeps us warm, and it helps us grow. We need the sun, but too much sunlight can be bad for people. Sun Safety introduces children to the basic concepts about the sun and sun safety.

Food, Nutrition and Fitness

Several 4-H projects are used for school enrichment in this curricula area. These programs make nutrition fun and exciting for the children in your classroom. Each curriculum is designed to teach youth about major nutrition concepts, including daily food choices, simple food preparation, food safety, production, and the relationship of diet and fitness.

Plant Connections

Learning about plants can be fun! This project provides simple and fun activities that teach youth about major plant science concepts including What is a Plant? Why Are Plants Important? And What Makes Plants Grow? This project was developed for youth ages 9 – 11.

The Power of Electricity

May the force be with you! This series was developed for youth ages 12 - 14. Five lessons include Understanding Electricity, How Electricity Travels, Electricity’s Silent Partner, Energy in Action, and Electric Environment.

Recycling Adventures

In Recycling Adventures we are particularly interested in helping young people develop a personal environmental ethic and to understand each persons individual impact on waste generation and management.

Marine Science

Explore the world of Marine Science in the field or through "hands-on" activities in the classroom! Discover the very real threats sea turtles, whales, and coastal organisms face. Learn about sea life and how to set up a salt-water aquarium. More...

Money Wise

This Florida 4-H Classroom enrichment project is designed for grades K-12.  The "Money Wise" program is designed to promote consumer education. More...

Seat Belt Safety

This Florida 4-H Classroom enrichment project is designed for grades K-12.  The greatest crippler and killer of people under the age of 35 is motor vehicle accidents. One major safety device, the safety belt, is effective and available to all who ride in cars, trucks, and vans. Through a partnership with the State Safety Office, Florida Department of Transportation, we have a wide range of educational materials available. More...

Going Places, Making Decisions

Environmental Stewardship. This curriculum is a great tool that empowers youth to make decisions in their lives today, which will make a difference in the world they will inherit tomorrow. The curriculum is divided into five units: A Cruise Through History, Natural Resources and Energy Use, Sweating Over Climate, Leaving Our Imprint On Earth, and A Matter Of Choice.

Embryology

Egg-splore the science of embryology from egg to chicken. This school-based curriculum is designed to egg-splore embryology from incubation to hatching. Workbooks incorporate experiments that focus on reinforcing scientific method. Students and teachers alike will find this curriculum both egg-citing and egg-speriential!

Pizza Garden, An Agricultural Adventure

This program is designed for educators to teach young people about where their food originates from by using something children love to eat: PIZZA! Using lessons and hands-on activities, this resource helps young people learn about nutrition, careers, and language arts.

The following Staff work in this area:

Holland, Sheila - Program Specialist, 4-H/Youth Programs

Lechky, Barbara - Administrative Coordinator, 4-H/Youth Programs

Morris, Marcia - Extension Agent II, 4-H/Youth Programs

Wilson, Keith - Extension Agent I, 4-H/Youth Programs