School
Enrichment Programs
(Available for Teachers)
Sponsored by:
Carter County OSU Extension Service
Grades: K-3; 4-6
Curriculum: Science, math, language Arts, Social Studies, Art
Resources: Teacher's Guide, Student Activity Sheets
Overview: Agriculture touches each of our lives everyday, yet many children have a very limited knowledge of agriculture. This program uses core curriculum to teach agricultural concepts. Each activity is built around one of the Students' Skills suggested by the State Department of Education and consists of a teach guide sheet and reproducible student activity sheet.
Entomology
Grades: 1-6
Curriculum: Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies
Resources: Entomology 4-H Club Leader's Guide,
The Black Swallowtail Butterfly Project Manual
Overview: Youngsters learn what insects are and how they impact our daily lives. Students learn about collecting insects, life cycles, and body parts. In addition to an extensive leader/teacher guide, there is a Swallowtail Butterfly project that your students will enjoy.
Oklahoma Aqua Times
Grades: 3-6
Curriculum: Math, Science, Language Arts, Creative Arts, Social Studies,
Health &
Creative Thinking
Resources: Teacher's Guide, Student lessons in newspaper format, Video
Tape
Video Topics: Where It Comes From and Where It Goes, Pollution Water:
Above and Below the Ground, Water:
How We Use It, Conservation
Overview: This project is based on the principle that it is easier to teach good habits than to change bad behavior. Oklahoma Aqua Times looks at the complexities of preserving one of our most precious natural resources - water. The self-contained curriculum consists of a teacher's guide, five-unit video, and student newspapers. Oklahoma Aqua Times suggests ways to manage our water supply and solicits each person's commitment to conserve this natural resource.
The five units are accompanied by supplemental activities as well as a five-issue tabloid newspaper for each student. In the final issue, the class produces a newsletter on water issues.
I Am, I Can
Grades: K-4
Curriculum: Social Studies
Resources: Curriculum Guide
Overview: Research indicates that children with healthy self-concepts are better able to manage stress. And today's children have reason o be stressed. Many come from homes where divorce has uprooted them and placed them in blended families or left them with only one parent, usually in poverty conditions. Teen pregnancy, alcohol and other drug abuse alter the lives of their friends, and the frightening rise in teen suicides touches even the most sheltered of young lives.
The ability of young people to face these problems is related to the early development of strategic life skills. Children can and must start learning these skills early. Studies show that a child's self-concept is essentially formed by age seven.
"I Am, I Can!" is a personal development project designed to help promote self esteem. It is a series of 10 lessons ranging from friends, decision making, peer pressure, and emotions.
This program is designed as a hands-on and learn-by-doing curriculum.
Plant Science
Grades: K-6
Curriculum: Science
Resources: Teacher's Guide with Transparency Masters, Soil Media, Seeds
Overview: Children like to experience the
mystery of how a seemingly lifeless seed can emerge and grow. In this
activity, students learn the parts of a seed and how it germinates and
grows. The teacher's guide outlines numerous
exercises and activities for
use in the classroom.
4-H Embryology
Grades: K-6
Curriculum: Science
Resources: "The Beginning of Life: Teacher/Leader Guide, Fertile Eggs
(available from 4-H
contact), Incubator (can be checked-out from Carter County OSU Extension
Service)
Overview: The egg is a marvel of nature, and incubating eggs and observing the emergence of the chick is a fascinating experience for a young person. Students can study development of the chick embryo, record and interpret observations, and brood chicks in the classroom. Teachers are encouraged to adapt the curriculum to the needs of their particular age group.
Talking with T.J.
(Conflict & Teamwork series)
Grades: 2-4
Resources: Leader's Guide, Video Tape, Posters
Talking with T.J. is an exciting new educational program to improve the teamwork skills of second- through fourth-graders. Through the program, children learn important skills of planning, cooperating, and appreciating differences. The program encourages children to work and play together in more caring and cooperative ways, a very important goal in today's culturally-diverse society.
Giant Pumpkin Project
Grades: K-4
Curriculum: Science
Resources: Project Guide Sheets
Overview: The pumpkin is a magical
plant. Children will enjoy growing this plant in milk cartons saved from
the cafeteria. The large seeds are easy to handle for younger hands.
Students can take their transplants home in
the spring, care for the plants
during the summer, then have a pumpkin show next fall. As a project
extension, consider roasting seeds, carving a Jack-o-lantern or making a pumpkin
pie.
Project Wet
Grades: 3-6
Curriculum: Science and Math
Resources: Instructor's Guide
Overview: A collection of innovative, water-related activities that are
hands-on, easy to use,
and fun.
Offers a variety of formatted activities such as a large and
small group activities, discussion of
local and global topics and involvement in community service
projects. The County 4-H agent
is available to present this project to your students.
For additional information, contact:
Gerri Ballard, Extension Educator 4-H
Carter County OSU Extension Service
107 First Street SW, Courthouse Annex
Ardmore, OK 73401
(580) 223-6570