Teacher Turf

Recommended grades: K - 5

The embryology program through Dinwiddie 4-H is a hands-on, educational project that any Dinwiddie School can take part in. Each teacher that is elligible and registers will receive an "Egg-ucation" Kit. These kits contain everything a teacher needs to successfully incubate a set of eggs and to set up a brooder for the hatched chicks to live in for a week. Teachers receive a maximum of 9 fertilized eggs. It is important for teachers to understand before signing up for this program that RARELY do all 9 eggs hatch. Environment and genetics play a major role in hatchibility. These things are out of our hands, and some eggs are never meant to hatch. Don't take it personally! It is all part of the educational process.

I want in on this program! Fill out the interest form.

Special Requests:

• Adequate space for "Egg-ucation" Kit
  •     12"x12" Table Space with no drafts, and not by a window
    
  •     3'x3' Floor/Table Space for Brooder
    
• Completing an evaluation at the completion of the last meeting
  
• Do not need to find a home for chicks, but can choose a home if desired

Requirements:

• 1 month commitment from start to finish
• An understanding that environmental effects play a major role in hatchability; There have been hatches that have had ZERO eggs survive. This is part of the educational process.
• Completion of the Group Enrollment Form (classroom demographics)
• Teachers must register by the deadline (comes out in February)

Unsure if this program is right for you? Hannah provides the best training she can and happily works with teachers one on one. If you want to view some of the tutorials before commiting, check out the youtube playlist we have put together.

Recommended grades:  4 - 6 but can be adapted for other grades

The Drone the Unknown program through Dinwiddie 4-H is a hands-on, educational project that any Dinwiddie School can take part in. There are five lessons within the curriculum that accumulate to over 6 hours of educational time. Drones and instruction are provided.

Special Requests:

• Adequate space for flying drones indoors.
• Adequate access to electricity and outlets
• 6 iPads would be idea if possible with the Tynker App downloaded
• Completing an evaluation at the completion of the last meeting
  
• Do not need to find a home for chicks, but can choose a home if desired

Requirements:

• Commitment to at least 3 lessons
• Teacher or aid present during instruction time
• Completion of the Group Enrollment Form (classroom demographics)

Get in touch with Hannah Bishop to see about scheduling this program at hrobbins@vt.edu.

Recomended ages: 8 - 12 grade

Reality Store made its way to Virginia Cooperative Extension by way of Kentucky Cooperative Extension who obtained it from  Dolley Peyton Shepperson Business and Professional Women. We have been conducting REALITY STORE events in Virginia for over ten years. 

REALITY STORE is designed to:  

• Give youth a glimpse of their future
• Help youth become aware of need for basic skills of financial planning,      decision making and goal setting
• Motivate youth to examine attitudes about their futures and careers   
• Motivate youth to stay in school

During this hands on experience students randomly select a career, family size and are told to assume they are 26 years old. Then, based on that information they make spending decisions for their household.  Booths are set-up around the room to represent spending categories, the same ones you have; taxes, home, food, child care, clothing, transportation, insurance, health and medical, etc. To make things interesting there is a crystal ball they must select a card from—the card may have a positive or negative effect on their  spending plan.

Requirements:

• Two 90 minute class times (separate days)
• Adequate space for 14 + tables to use as stations

Get in touch with Hannah Bishop to see about scheduling this program at hrobbins@vt.edu.

Recommend Grades: 3 - 5

The Kids’ Market Place (KMP) is a hands-on educational tool that introduces students to financial choices while having fun!

Students have the opportunity:

• To make good financial decisions
• To distinguish between a need and a want
• To utilize everyday math skills
• To experience financial obligations similar to those of an adult in everyday life
• To experience the impact of a career choice

Student surveys showed that:

• 81% learned that life has surprises that cost money
• 80% learned that jobs pay different amounts
• 79% learned more about how to use their money

Requirements:

• Two 60 - 90 minute class times
• Adequate space for 14 + tables to use as stations

Get in touch with Hannah Bishop to see about scheduling this program at hrobbins@vt.edu.

CHARACTER COUNTS! helps organizations to implement its new 6.0 version which is the latest evolution of CHARACTER COUNTS!  educational, youth serving and ethics based organizational strategies.

CHARACTER COUNTS! utilizes its Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship as a foundational strategy while incorporating other nation’s best-practices and methodologies. Besides emphasizing and promoting a focus on positive school climate, other defining elements of CHARACTER COUNTS!  are intensive decision-making strategies, mindfulness, growth mindset and behavioral change theories. CHARACTER COUNTS! practical strategies produce exceptional results in the academic, social, emotional and character development domains (The Four Wheels of Success).

CHARACTER COUNTS!  is a fully integrated student development framework that incorporates the most critical research findings and current theories from all major research and evidence-based strategies.  CHARACTER COUNTS!  will help organizations infuse their central methods into the DNA of organizations and assist youth to reach their academic potential, to have the ability to succeed in school, to live happy, worthy and fulfilling personal lives, and become engaged, responsible and productive citizens.

Contact Hannah Bishop for more information on implementing this program at hrobbins@vt.edu.

Project WET

Project WET is a water education curriculum that provides hands-on lessons and programs to teachers for youth of all ages. Programs target specific learning goals and education standards. The lessons promote water awareness and empowers community action to solve water issues.

Project Learning Tree

Project Learning Tree is an environmental program tool used to engage youth in both outside and indoor experiences and make environmental education fun and hands-on. There are free resources on the Project Learning Tree website if you are interested in seeing how the curriculum could benefit your classroom.

Ag in the Classroom

Virginia 4-H has strong relations with the Ag in the Classroom program and offers many opportunities to engage and learn te curriculum. There are many resources available on their website, but Dinwiddie 4-H does have some ready-made lessons that would work for your class!