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Strategies for Teaching Time Management in 4-H

by | Apr 23, 2021

Toolkit for teaching time management picture of a clock and scheduleThe “secret sauce” for successful 4-H clubs is often the not-so-secret time management skill of the club leader.  Time management is a learned skill.   This week’s  blog post will explore strategies for time management. One important detail about time management – what works for one person may not work for everyone.  Choosing time management strategies that suit the person increases the likelihood that these skills will become permanent, frequently used tools in a personal “toolbox.”

Teaching Time Management Skills

One strategy to learn a time management skill is to teach it.   Both club members and volunteer leaders can benefit from learning and practicing time management skills. Youth and adults alike can begin with some basic elements of planning to start developing time management skills.

To complete a time management activity during a club meeting, the following items will be needed: a weekly schedule template, a Post It adhesive flipchart or a white board/chalkboard, pencils/pens, scratch paper for note taking.

Write the five elements of S.M.A.R.T goals on the flipchart or white board:

S – Specific
M – Measureable
A – Attainable (or actionable)
R – Relevant (or realistic)
T – Time-bound

During this activity, participants will learn about time management, scheduling, and goal setting.   Begin the activity with a task.  Ask adults and youth to consider and write out their schedule for an average week. Use a weekly schedule template so that everyone can use a visual organizer to describe their individual schedules.  There are a number of free schedule templates online.   One free option is available from Microsoft office: https://templates.office.com/en-us/schedules.

Once everyone has completed their schedule, ask each participant to write down a personal goal related to school or 4-H.   Then, explain the S.M.A.R.T goal concept.   Next, ask everyone to consider their goal within the S.M.A.R.T framework.  Does their goal fit the five elements of a S. M.A.R.T goal? Why or why not? If their goal needs to be adjusted, what changes should be made?

After discussing several different goals, ask everyone when the time is scheduled to work on achieving this goal.  Spoiler alert: very few of the participants will include anything related to the goal in the initial weekly schedule draft.

During the next phase of this activity, introduce one or more time management strategies from the blog resource list to the group. Engage participants in discussion about which strategies might be effective for them than others.

Setting Individual Member and Club Goals

Conclude the meeting by setting short and long term goals.  What do members want to accomplish by the next club meeting?  What goals do club members want to achieve for the year? Toolkit for teaching time management picture of a clock and scheduleTime management is a skill that can be practiced and improved throughout the 4-H club year.  Be sure to schedule in time to report on progress toward goals as part of 4-H club business meetings.

Resources

 

What are 4-H Standards of Excellence?

by | Sep 28, 2017

4-H Standards of Excellence are tools to help individual members and clubs set and achieve goals and are part of our recognition model.  Recognition is an important part of the 4-H experience; it helps master skills and knowledge by providing feedback on progress towards goals.  Standards of Excellence is one of my favorite ways to recognize youth and clubs.  Here’s how it works:

At the beginning of the 4-H year, youth decide which level of recognition they would like to receive.  The levels are bronze, silver, gold and emerald.  To help youth decide, they should review the Standard of Excellence matrix with their parent or club leader. The matrix outlines what a member needs to do in order to achieve each level of recognition.  For example, if a junior member (ages 8-10) wants to achieve the gold standard, he/she would need to plan to do the following throughout the course of the 4-H year:

  • Attend at least 2/3 of club meetings (or number established by club).
  • Share project experiences by giving a presentation.
  • Attend three different activities
  • Participate in three different activities
  • Participate in three community service activities
  • Participate in four different competitions / exhibitions
  • Complete two project record reports
  • Teach one club level activity
  • Make a poster on “My 4-H Experience” or submit Building My 4-H Portfolio

But wait, that’s not all!  4-H Clubs can also achieve Standards of Excellence.  During the club organizational meeting, members can choose which type of club they want to be (bronze, silver, gold or emerald), and build those requirements into their club plan (most of the items are things that clubs would want to do anyway, so why not be recognized for it?):

  • Bronze club- 12/20 items on the list
  • Silver club- 14/20 items on the list
  • Gold club-16/20 items on the list
  • Emerald club- 18/20 items on the list

Once a member or club establishes their goal, they can submit their plan to their club leader.  Towards the end of the 4-H Year, the member submits their application to their leader, who signs off on it and submits it to their 4-H agent.  Youth are recognized during their County Achievement Night, or Awards Banquet.

Interested in helping?  We need volunteers to serve as project mentors, review/judge awards applications or help plan annual recognition programs.  Contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office if you would like to get involved.