4-H At Home Learning Resources
4-H AT HOME LEARNING RESOURCES:
We have here for you a wide variety of youth-led learning resources that are available for at-home learning collected from our Cooperative Extension partners locally and across the United States. All of the resources below are publicly available for you and your family to use. Our goal is to provide resources that young people can use to stay engaged in learning now and in the future.
Mask Making
The NYS 4-H Mask Task gives back to your local community by sewing and donating a face mask and/or writing a note of gratitude to those in our community who are needing masks during this time!
WHAT IS THIS OPPORTUNITY? 4-H’ers are invited to express support for local community members who may need masks in light of the NYS guidance that everyone wear masks when going out in public due to COVID-19. Handmade masks and notes of gratitude will be collected at county Extension offices made available to those in need. Together, we can make a difference for our communities!
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Now that wearing a mask is mandatory in New York due to the COVID-19 pandemic, availability of masks is running low, so we are inviting NYS 4-H’ers, volunteers, friends & family (anyone is welcome!) to step up and help fill the gap.
Keeping 4-H Club Members Connected
A Guide for Staying Connected to 4-H Groups while Physically Apart for 4-H volunteers leading 4-H groups and programs - Spring 2020
Even when face-to-face 4-H meetings and events are not possible, there are many options for you, the 4-H leader, to stay connected with your 4-H club. Consider creative ways to engage youth, support learning and leading opportunities, and keep your group connected! Visit this University of Minnesota Extension webpage for some excellent ideas ranging from low tech to video conferencing.
4-H Volunteers Can Go Virtual!
The idea of setting up and hosting a virtual 4-H club meeting might feel a bit overwhelming. But virtual meetings can allow you to still meet as a group and help 4-H members in your club continue to feel a sense of belonging. The University of Maine Extension has created this series of tip sheets designed to help our volunteers explore and learn how to have virtual 4-H club meetings. Each tip sheet provides tangible ideas to help you navigate virtual meetings. Short how-to video clips are embedded to provide additional information.
Staff Assistance Available to Set up a Virtual Club Meeting
Resources for Online Video Communication
Interactive Online Experiences
Animal Science Virtual Resources compiled by Cornell University’s Department of Animal Science to help 4-H members who want to continue building their knowledge of animal science. Find resources about beef, dairy, dogs, equine, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, and more.
Living Room Learning Series, Nebraska 4-H Each day, youth will participate in a hands-on virtually guided activity where they will learn about healthy living, science, technology, and more! Each session will focus on a new activity that can be done with materials found at home. Youth do not need to be 4-H members to participate.
Boredom Buster Challenge, Nebraska 4-H Mondays and Wednesdays at 2PM Central, young people can participate in a hands-on virtually guided challenge.
General Project Area Learning
Project Area Hot Sheets, Iowa 4-H a free series of over thirty topic-based resources with ideas for learning and exploring project areas like photography, veterinary science, communication and much more. Grades 4-12
UKnow How-To Video Series, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is a series of videos on a wide variety of subjects, intended for older youth and adult learners.
Shop 4-H Curriculum, National 4-H is the online store for nationally-vetted curricula on a wide variety of topics. Many of the products here are project area learning resources that can be used by young people directing their own exploration of a topic of interest. Most items on this site are offered at a cost. Grades K-12, grade filter available on site.
Agriculture and Natural Resources
The Bug Guide, Iowa State University is an online knowledgebase for bug information and identification.
Green Genes: Genetics, Massachusetts 4-H is a DNA online course for at-home educators working with youth ages 10-13. Grades 5-8
Gardening in the Zone Video Series, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is a horticulture series of videos available on YouTube.
My First Garden, University of Illinois Extension is an interactive website for kids on gardening. Grade 4
UK Forestry, University of Kentucky is a YouTube channel dedicated to forestry and natural resources education for teens and adults. Grades 9-12
Junior Master Gardeners, Cooperative Extension Network is a website with a wide variety of resources for kids on gardening. Curriculum is offered at a cost. Level 1 Elementary, Level 2 Middle School.
Animal Science
How to Take Care of Your Pets, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach a collection of videos on the Extension YouTube UKnow channel.
Livestock Judging Video Series, Iowa 4-H is a series of videos for livestock judging education and preparation.
Poultry Breeds Video Series, Ohio 4-H is a series of videos on poultry breeds developed in collaboration with the American Poultry Association.
Animal U is a new and innovative online learning tool to engage Iowa 4-H youth in learning about the science behind livestock production. Currently, there are 87 lessons in beef, swine, and careers that youth may access at any time. More lessons are continually being created and will be posted as soon as they are ready.
Bring Home the Blue Not the Flu, Iowa State University Center for Food Security and Public Health Targeted at youth aged 13–18 years, this free online course is meant to encourage showmanship and animal involvement while keeping both animals and humans safe and healthy.
Civic Engagement and Leadership
Global Citizenship Global Clover Publications, Iowa 4-H highlight different countries, languages, economics, activities, and traditions outside of the US.
Teen Leadership 20, Ohio 4-H is a series of leadership activities and lessons for teens. Some are group activities but many can be done at home with fewer numbers. Grades 8-12
Family and Consumer Sciences
Ages and Stages Series, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has information on all stages of child development.
Kentucky 4-H has project area activity pages related to clothing. Grades 4-12
Texas 4-H has clothing curriculum called Duds to Dazzle and Sewing Basics.
Preserve the Taste of Summer, ISU Extension and Outreach is a series of publications on preserving and canning foods.
Healthy Living
4-H Healthy Living Activity Guide, National 4-H is a free 30-page activity resource for healthy living activities.
Food and Nutrition Publications, ISU Extension and Outreach has many publications related to food, nutrition, and health.
Yoga for Kids, Arkansas 4-H videos and posters with activities for youth to practice yoga.
Healthy Living Activity Book, Michigan 4-H is a 65 page activity book with 15 activities youth can do at home.
Be the Spark Activity Book. Be the Spark was created to raise awareness about the importance of good mental health and provide young people with a healthy outlet for social-emotional well-being.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
A Digital List: Helpful Engineering Games: https://www.elevators.com/a-digital-list-helpful-engineering-games/
JUNIOR HANDYMAN’S TOOLKIT: CLASSROOM PROJECTS, ESSENTIALS AND CHECKLISTS: https://dragonfiretools.com/junior-handymans-toolkit-classroom-projects-essentials-and-checklists/
Teachable Moments, Iowa STEM Council, a carefully curated, small collection of lessons and activities curated by your STEM Network Team to help use the precious time of learners and caregivers during the suspension of schooling.
Scratch, MIT Media Lab is an interactive coding website.
Ask Dr. Universe, Washington State University is a question and answer site related to STEM topics. Questions are submitted by youth.
Fizz Bubble and Goo is a K-3 day camp agenda that can easilly be adapted for home use.
Teaching Science at Home Article, Michigan 4-H provides resources and support for at-home educators who don't have a science background.
84 Easy Science Lessons You Can Do At Home, Michigan 4-H is a list of resources categorized by topic.
Science Activity Book, Michigan 4-H is a 100+ page activity guide for science activities at home.
Last updated August 1, 2022