Leadership and Civic Engagement
Number of unique resources found: 64
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Action Verb Circle Activity (Touch the Future Career Fair) and Action Verb Handout 
Description: The Action Verb Circle Michigan 4-H career education activity and Action Verb handout provides an interactive way to help youth learn about the importance of including a variety of action verbs in their resumes. This activity is often paired with the Resumes That Rock! Powerpoint presentation also available at this URL.
Description: Use this activity to raise community awareness and increase knowledge about entrepreneurship as a career option or to help start or grow a 4-H Business and Entrepreneurship Club. The objectives of the activity are to learn how successful local entrepreneurs got their start and to provide youth with an opportunity to interact and network with entrepreneurs. It can also help youth become more comfortable asking adults about their careers. In addition to the activity handout, the template flyer and "Ask the Entreprenuer" Sample Questions are also available at the same URL.
Be the "E" Curriculum Overview PowerPoint presentation
Description: The Be the "E" PowerPoint presentation was created to encourage educators to get onboard with youth entrepreneurship education and to review the design elements of the Be the "E" curriculum available through National 4-H Youth Development. The presentation covers the three curriculum levels; Love It!, Plan It! and Do It! and reviews the key elements included in each activity. Be the "E" is used with Middle School and High School students and can be used in a variety of settings, including after-school, clubs and camps. The curriculum writers emphasize that you do not have to be an entrepreneur to help guide youth on their entrepreneurial journey.
Description: Youth discover the world of Entrepreneurship with this multi-level guide. Activities assist youth in learning what it takes to be an entrepreneur and whether they ahve the right stuff to meet the challenges. Youth practice the skills needed to function successfully as an entrepreneur and explore types of businesses, products and pricing, marketing, partnership, agreements and contracts. Youth create a business plan and start their own business.
Career Fair Interviewing and More
Description: The Career Fair Interviewing and More PowerPoint covers career fair do's and don'ts and also covers job interviewing basics. There are several handouts also available at this URL that can be used to compliment this presentation.
Citizenship - Public Adventures
Description: Teens channel their energy toward solving real problems in their community. Youth change a piece of the public world, discover the possibilities of democratic citizenship and build a commitment to taking action in new and exciting ways. They plan and conduct a project that will create change or improve something that is valuable to many people.
Description: The Combination Resume Sample handout works well with the other resume and cover letter resources also available at this URL. In a computer lab setting, burn the file to a CD Rom or save on a USB for a ready made template that works well with the Resumes that Rock PowerPoint.
Communications - Express Yourself!
Description: Through this dynamic interactive communications curriculum youth interpret verbal and nonverbal information, develop effective public speaking skills, enhance written and spoken communication, defend a point, design a presentation and much more!
Connecting Students with Employers
Description: The Connecting Students with Employers teaching modules are a set of engaging lesson plans and PowerPoint presentations that are ideally suited for use with a small or large group in an informal learning environment or classroom setting. The modules and presentations are designed to communicate relevant information on appropriate business etiquette and identification of the ‘soft-skills’ employers look for in employees.
Creating Your Professional Pitch Activity
Description: Use this activity to help youth to be able to clearly and briefly communicate with confidence who they are and why potential employers would want to consider them as candidates for job openings, volunteer experiences or internships.
EntrepreneurShip Investigation I: Discover the E-Scene
Description: EntrepreneurShip Investigation (ESI) is an exciting, interactive, and comprehensive curriculum designed for youth, ages 10-19. ESI uses a variety of tools to help participants develop their entrepreneurial skills and find their business niche. Through exciting activities, case studies and current technology, participants are transformed into budding entrepreneurs!
In ESI Unit I, learn about entrepreneurship as you investigate other businesses in your community. Discover the traits of an entrepreneur and take a skills test to see if you have these entrepreneurial traits. Investigate entrepreneurs in your own family. Explore potential business ideas and read stories of other entrepreneurs as you embark on this journey.
Description: This Fill-In Resume worksheet is especially helpful when working with youth who have never created a resume before. It introduces them to the contents of a resume and helps them compile the information needed to include in the final version. The worksheet works well with the Resumes That Rock! Powerpoint (also at this URL) when you are not in a computer lab setting.
Filling Out Job Application Forms
Description: This Michigan 4-H Career Education handout introduces youth to job application forms and provides helpful information an tips on how to properly complete a job application form. It can be used with the Sample Employment Application form also posted at the same URL. Some educators have used the form for participants to complete when they have "giveaways" at events.
Find the Entrepreneur in You Word Search
Description: This helpful word search handout can be used to compliment youth entrepreneurship educational activities and encourages conversation related to terminology specific to entrepreneurship.
Description: This CD contains plans to introduce the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship; plus an introduction to character and ethical decision-making. Each plan gives background on the lesson topic, life skills, roll call ideas, a challenge, quotation, poster, calendar, family piece to send home, news release, and newsletter article. Lessons may be printed from the CD and duplicated.
Description: The Global Youth ACTION Network is a collaboration among youth and youth-serving organizations to share information, resources and solutions to promote greater youth engagement. The GYAN creates the opportunity for every young person to be heard, leverages their voices to impact national and global agendas and provides tools, recognition and financial support for youth who take positive action to improve our world - community by community.
Author: Izenberg, Neil
Description: This is an excellent site for current health information for parents, grade school aged children and teens. It has a user friendly format that is very age appropriate. Lots of easy to find, current, and easy to read information about any topic related to health of kids and many other youth-focused topics--i.e. how to find a job, bullying.
Description: The Reference List Sample includes a list of key points to consider when creating and determining who to include on a reference list. This handout works well with the other resume and cover letter resources also available at this URL.
Description: The Resumes That Rock! Powerpoint presentation can be used as an informational tool or in a computer lab setting where participants actually create their resumes as you work through each part of the resume. The Powerpoint works well with the sample resumes and fill-in-the-blank resume form also available at this URL.
Sample Employment Application Form
Description: The Sample Employment Application form can be used with the Michigan 4-H Career Education "Filling Out Job Application Forms" handout that introduces youth to job application forms and provides helpful information an tips on how to properly complete a job application form. Some educators have used the form for participants to complete when they have "giveaways" at events.
Description: The Michigan 4-H Career Education Sample Interview Questions handout lists twenty-five typical questions asked by employers. This handout works well with the Career Fair Interviewing and More PowerPoint also available at this URL.
Touch the Future Career Fair Activity
Description: The Touch the Future Career Fair activity provides teens aged 14 to 19 an opportunity to get career exploration questions answered. This is accomplished by bringing them together with professionals from a variety of career pathways. The information participant's gain helps guide them in future decision-making. The career fair can be used alone, or expanded to include various activities, like resume writing and interviewing. Funding for career education has been cut in many communities and this activity was created to help fill this important need.
Description: The Winning Cover Letters handout includes information about the purpose, formatting tips, and the type of information to include in the first, second and third paragraphs and the conclusion.
– General Information –
Author: Stevens, Debbie (1 more by this author)
Description: This guide for 4-H Clubs and members suggests ways youth can participate as an active
asset in their communities to promote emergency and disaster planning. It includes sample activities, links to resources, and action steps for serving as a catalyst in jump-starting preparedness planning in business, community and families. The guide can be used by traditional 4-H clubs, specialty clubs, school enrichment or 4-H Afterschool programs.
Afro-American Science, Math, Literature and Cultural Resources
Author: CYFERnet Program Editors, (12 more by this author)
Description: Afro-Americans have contributed greatly to the knowledge and well-being of our nature. Here is a selection to enable you to explore the science, engineering and cultural contributions. In honor of Coretta Scott King's effort to promote peace, non-violent social change, brotherhood and literature, check out these online resources on African American history and issues, as well as a selection of literary works for sharing with children and young people (check for these at your public library).
Firestarter Youth Power Curriculum
Author: Fletcher, Adam (3 more by this author)
Description: Activities to increase youth engagement throughout society. Includes action plans and reflection activities, as well as resources for continued development.
Girls and Women's History Month
Description: resources for girls' academic and personal development.
Author: Rappoport, Ann; West Chester University; Dr. Sharon Kletzien
Description: Kids Around Town (KAT) is an award-winning, service-learning program emphasizing civic connections in community-based problem solving. The KAT website provides a variety of lesson plans, curriculum materials, and teaching strategies, including a 40-page PDF Manual for involving students with special needs in mainstream projects. It provides background information and research so that educators can improve their practices while motivating students, accomplishing content & process standards, and building bridges to their communities.
OMK—A Gold Mine for Civic Engagement
Author: Cross, Charlotte (2 more by this author); KEn Grey
Description: Sharing NH Operation: Military Kids (OMK) successful strategies for implementing civic engagement activities related to military kids will be the workshop focus. Participants will explore engaging: youth organizations (4-H, scouts), university connections (ROTC, student volunteers), community partners (veterans, spiritual community, after school groups), and public and private schools. In addition, participants will generate civic engagement plans for use back home.
Out on a Limb: A Guide to Getting Along
Description: Interactive flash driven website, models the thinking behind conflict resolution using language and examples that kids can understand and implement. Teachers guide and additional resources are included. Available in Spanish and Arabic.
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
Description: SEDS is an independent, student-based organization which promotes the exploration and development of space. SEDS pursues this mission by educating people about the benefits of space, by supporting a network of interested students, by providing an opportunity for members to develop their leadership skills, and by inspiring people through involvement in space-related projects. SEDS believes in a space-faring civilization and that focusing the enthusiasm of young people is the key to our future in space
University of Illinois Extension Character Development
Description: A collection of resources and offerings designed to combat bullying in many settings, including the workplace, schools and parenting settings. Easy to navigate with plenty of tools and information.
– Other Resources –
Description: This is an activity guide for teaching youth about informational interviews
NAE4-HA Workforce Preparation Brochure 2011
Description: Brochure listing resources related to workforce development and career exploration
Description: This is career education handout for teaching youth about career exploration.
Using Technology to Find a Job
Description: This is an activity guide for teaching youth about job hunting.
Workforce Development and Career Exploration Task Force Resources
Description: List of workforce development and career exploration resources
– Professional Development –
Description: The Get in the Act! Take I PowerPoint was designed to introduce educators and volunteers to this National 4-H curriculum. Get in the Act! is different from many traditional career planning tools that focus on job applications, resumes and interviewing. Get in the Act! activities help middle school youth look at personal qualities, teamwork and critical thinking skills as they prepare for the world of work. The curriculum includes a CD with two parts: "Exploring Your True Colors" helps young people learn their personality type to identify potential job areas for consideration. "On the Job Choices" illustrates common youth workplace challenges.
Author: Rappoport, Ann; West Chester University; Dr. Sharon Kletzien
Description: Kids Around Town (KAT) is an award-winning, service-learning program emphasizing civic connections in community-based problem solving. The KAT website provides a variety of lesson plans, curriculum materials, and teaching strategies, including a 40-page PDF Manual for involving students with special needs in mainstream projects. It provides background information and research so that educators can improve their practices while motivating students, accomplishing content & process standards, and building bridges to their communities.
– Programming Resource –
200+ Ready-To-Use Reproducible Activity Sheets That Help Educators Take A Bite Out Of Bullying & CD
Description: Bullying, a number one concern with young people, can now be addressed with this comprehensive collection of activities. Based on empirical research this collection zeros in on: areas where most bullying takes place, what and whom bullies target, bystander intervention, bullying facts and myths, strategies to lessen or end bullying, and much, much more. Use these activity sheets to teach a lesson, supplement an existing bullying program, or reinforce bullying after a program has been completed. Activity sheets can be easily reproduced from the included CD and, where appropriate, you have the choice of color or black and white. Intended User: youth in grades 3 - 8
4-H Cooperative Curriculum System
Description: 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System is the nationwide curriculum development system of the Cooperative Extension Service. Its mission is to provide high quality experientially based curriculum products to 4-H and other non-formal youth development organizations. Over 150 curriculum products are currently available.
Beyond Blame: Reacting to the Terrorist Attack
Author: Jolly, Eric; Stephanie Malloy, Marilyn Felt
Description: Developed in response to the 9/11 terrorist tragedy and subsequent attacks against Arab-Americans, this is a free, 25-page curriculum for middle and high school students focused on issues of justice and mislaid blame. The curriculum features three lessons, designed to stimulate student reflection, discussion, and writing. Lesson 1, "What is Justice? What is the Injustice Here?", guides students through a discussion of the events of September 11th and reports of subsequent attacks and threats made against innocent people perceived to be of Arab descent. Lesson 2, "Has the Past Been Just?", examines parallels between today's events and the internment of Japanese-Americans in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. Lesson 3, "How Can You Prevent Injustice?" leads students through a discussion of the kinds of actions they can take to prevent injustice, discrimination, and mislaid blame.
Breaking the Code: A Bullying Prevention Simulation
Author: Faughn, Patricia (1 more by this author); Judy Taylor; Tessa Hobbs-Curley; Sheri Merry; Dana Homann
Description: Breaking the Code (BTC) is a research-based prevention simulation for grades 6 through 12 that highlights the existence and harmfulness of a hidden and unchallenged bullying social structure. BTC is designed to be used in a typical middle or high school classroom setting and can also be used in after school programs or other group settings.
Building Character--Personal Development
Description: Building Character – Personal Development
The purpose of this curriculum piece is to strengthen the character of children through group activities and interaction. Building character is essential in increasing self-esteem of young children. How children define and view themselves begins early in life. Children ages 5-8 are sensitive about how others view them and consequently how they view themselves. These activities will help children to develop a positive self-awareness for building character. Intended User: volunteer leader, educators and agent with youth, grades K-3. Source: Penn State 4-H Clover Bud curriculum, free download at:
Creating Your Professional Pitch
Description: This is a career education handout for an activity that helps youth to be able to clearly and briefly communicate with confidence who they are and why potential employers would want to consider them as candidates for job openings, volunteer experience or internships.
Exhibiting Entrepreneur Projects at Fair
Description: This activity answers the question of how youth showcase the skills learned through their entrepreneur club program in a fair setting.
Filling Out Job Application Forms
Description: This is a 4-H Career Education Handout about how to fill out job applications.
Firestarter Youth Power Curriculum
Author: Fletcher, Adam (3 more by this author)
Description: Activities to increase youth engagement throughout society. Includes action plans and reflection activities, as well as resources for continued development.
GAC! (Get A Clue!) Youth Consumer Decision Making
Author: Croymans, Sara; Becky Hagen Jokela ; Janene Gilman; Carrie Ann Olson
Description: The ability to make good decisions is a major life skill that helps young people transition into self-sufficient adults (Cowan, 2004). Participants will become familiar with the decision making process, how teen brain development impacts decision making, participate in hands on activities that teach consumer decision making skills, and be introduced to several curriculum that help teach decision making skills.
I am Special--Personal Development
Description: Help children find out how special they are! Encourage them to participate in the activities and games that focus on individual strengths and how each person is unique. Intended User: volunteer leader, educators and agent with youth, grades K-3
Author: Kent, Heather; Monica L. Brinkley
Description: This curriculum helps elementary through high school youth to master basic etiquette skills for today's society and business world. The program includes lesson plans, skill-a-thons, and games to teach everything from basic table manners to resume writing. Workshop participants will do a few activities and receive copies of the curriculum.
Author: Dunham, Trudy (5 more by this author)
Description: Today, one in seven people do not get enough food to be healthy and lead an active life. Yet there is enough food in the world for everyone to have the nourishment necessary for a healthy and productive life. How can this be? How can hunger and malnutrition be the number one risk to health worldwide – a risk greater than that due to AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined? This mission provides activities and games, both online and offline, as well as video and reflection questions to facilitate youth learning about the issues of hunger and food security, and consideration of the importance of this issue in today's world.
Mission of the Month: Capturing History- The making of a documentary
Author: Dunham, Trudy (31 more by this author); Jay Staker
Description: Who are you, really? Have your skills and interests been passed down from your parents or grandparents? Where did the habits and customs of today’s American society come from? There is more to one’s history – the history of family and community – than your DNA and the names of your ancestors. What you do and how you do it is an important part of your family history. Take the time to find out how you became who you are today. Interview your family members about one aspect of life or culture that interests you. If talking to family isn’t convenient, use this as an opportunity to learn how your neighborhood became what it is today!
Mission of the Month: CYFERnet Travel Bug Race
Author: Dunham, Trudy (31 more by this author)
Description: Would you like to explore the planet vicariously and win a prize as well? Then don’t miss the annual CYFERnet Travel Bug Race. In September, Youth and adult teams can start touring the globe via their Travel Bug: a metal tag that allows contestants to follow their “hitchhiker” trinket. Your hitchhiker can serve as a virtual you — make a club mascot and attach it to the Travel Bug for a more personalized experience. Hitchhikers are a staple of geocaching—the Global Positioning System (GPS)-based adventure game. In geocaching, contestants place their trinkets into official geocaches anywhere in the world, register their Travel Bugs online and track them as other geochachers move them from cache to cache in the real world. The more miles your bug travels, the higher your score in the CYFERnet Travel Bug Race. Read on to learn more.
Mission of the Month: Drinking Water
Author: Staker, Jay (13 more by this author); Trudy Dunham
Description: More than two-thirds of the surface of our planet is covered with water, and yet we are facing water shortages! These statements seem contradictory at first, but let's look more closely at water. What is it? When people talk about water they can mean different things. Water is a chemical compound made of 2 hygrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom, H2O. Water is also what comes out of your faucet. That water is more than H2O -- it also contains minerals, oxygen, and other things such as chlorine, which purifies the water. Water is also found in bottles in shops. But the contents of these bottles varies a lot!
My Feelings--Personal Development
Description: Young children experience many different feelings every day. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. Help children to understand that everyone has feelings and those feelings can be expressed in many ways. Help children realize where feelings come from and how to deal with them. Intended User: volunteer leader, educators and agent with youth, grades K-3
Putting Your Best Food Forward
Description: This is a workforce preparation activity to help youth learn how to meet and confidently interact with others.
Science and Psychology of Responding to Natural and Environmental Disasters
Description: There are a number of recent natural and environmental events in the news. There are wildfires and earthquakes in the western U.S., tornados in the mid-west region and the hurricane season is here. As our nation responds it is important to help children and youth understand what is happening. These featured resources help children and youth understand the science behind the events and how to prepare for such events.
Semester of Service Strategy Guide
Description: YSA’s Semester of Service™ is an extended service-learning framework through which students apply what they are learning in the classroom to address real-world needs in their communities. As a school-based program, Semester of Service is recommended for K-12 educators and their students.
Stand Up Against Bullies Program--Grades 3-5
Description: This comprehensive program will help the bullies understand their actions and how others feel about the way they behave and it will prepare the other students for encounters with bullies. Prepare your children now for dealing with a problem that effects all children in one way or another either as being a victim, bystander, or the bully. The program includes: 1. Lesson Plans: Detailed plans for each lesson, 2. Stories: Stories about bullies who tattle, push others around, form cliques, tease, can’t accept differences, are jealous, are prejudiced, and lack compassion, 3. Analytical Examination: Students examine each situation from the viewpoint of the bully, victim, and bystanders, 4. Role-Plays: Students role-play the way to handle a difficult bullying situation, 5. Supplementary Activity Sheets: Additional reproducible activity sheets to reinforce or provide alternative lesson activities, 6. Resource Information: Reproducible information for adults on bullying and a pre/post test for evaluative purposes. Intended User: Volunteers working with youth, grades 3-5, classroom teachers for grades 3-5.
Survivor to Thriver: Doing Community-Based Service Learning
Author: Mark, Cynthia
Description: Survivor - Thriver five step model for community service learning. Presentation materials including transcript from a 2006 Webinar. 4-H has a history of community involvement through community service. Learn how to take food drives and river clean-ups to the next level! Engage young people in the decision making process and learn how to turn the activities into a civic engagement and social action project.
The Perfect Business Handshake
Description: This activity is designed to help youth exhibit confidence when participating in a business handshake.
Author: UNITED NATIONS, Headquarters,
Description: Project is "to provide exceptional educational resources (both online and in print) to students growing up in a world undergoing increased globalization." Create a model UN; youth have access to country profiles, a well-written introduction to the history and work of the United Nations, some fun quizzes and the Urban Fact Game. Includes helpful curriculums (such as racial discrimination) and age- appropriate briefing papers. In English, Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Arabic.
Volunteers as Career Educators
Description: This is a career education activity in which youth interview parents and other adults about their careers.
What should I charge for my product?
Description: This handout describes the process of determining prices.
YOUth Changing the World: A Service Project Toolkit
Description: This guide will help youth take action on an issue that is important to them, to discover their power to change the world through their own actions. This guide takes youth step-by-step through the process of identifying a community need to address, and of planning, implementing, reflecting upon, showcasing, and celebrating their service project.
– Research –
Author: Rappoport, Ann; West Chester University; Dr. Sharon Kletzien
Description: Kids Around Town (KAT) is an award-winning, service-learning program emphasizing civic connections in community-based problem solving. The KAT website provides a variety of lesson plans, curriculum materials, and teaching strategies, including a 40-page PDF Manual for involving students with special needs in mainstream projects. It provides background information and research so that educators can improve their practices while motivating students, accomplishing content & process standards, and building bridges to their communities.