Extension in Your Classroom

Illinois Extension is well positioned to help teachers dive more deeply into relevant and interesting curriculum areas. Below is a list of programs available locally to teachers in Logan, Menard, and/or Sangamon counties.  

 

4-H Programs

Along with the 4-H club experience, 4-H also offers programs designed for classroom, after-school, or community group settings.  Local 4-H staff are ready to present educational programs on College & Career Readiness, Health & Wellness, and other topics. Find details on this flyer, or contact 4-H Educator Carissa Davis for more information.

Classroom 4-H programs available in Logan, Menard, and Sangamon counties

Careers & Finance

Welcome to the Real World
Target grades: 6-12
After exploring careers and learning about managing finances, students participate in a simulation experience in which they choose a post-graduation path and see the consequences of "real world" decisions.
Suggested minimum duration: customizable

Food & Health

4-H Cooking 101
Target grades: K-5
Learn about nutrition and healthy eating while developing basic food preparation skills by making healthy snacks and simple meals.
Suggested minimum duration: 6 sessions

Health Rocks
Target grades: 3-12
Build skills to make healthy choices and understand the influences and health consequences of tobacco, drug, and alcohol use. Develop community strategies to address risky youth behaviors and build positive relationships.
Suggested minimum duration: 10 hours

Illinois Food Challenge
Target grades: 8-12
Learn food safety, food preparation, nutrition, and kitchen safety. Then participate in a culminating team food challenge event where youth plan, prepare, and present a dish.
Suggested minimum duration: 6 hours

Social/Emotional Learning

Mindful Me
Target grades: K-2
Learn mindful practices, that lead to improvements in managing one's own goals, developing a sense of self, time management, stress management, emotional regulation, and mindful eating practices.
Suggested minimum duration: 10 sessions

Be SAFE: Safe, Affirming, & Fair Environments
Target grades: 6-9
Create safe, affirming, and fair environments where youth can improve their social and emotional learning, build positive relationships, and prevent negative and harmful behaviors such as bullying.
Suggested minimum duration: 8 sessions/hours

Your Thoughts Matter
Target grades: 8-12
Understand what mental health means and its impact on those around us. Learn about different mental health disorders and identify strategies for self-help and helping others.
Suggested minimum duration: 6 sessions/hours

Real Colors
Target grades: 5-12 & adults
The Real Colors Personality Instrument is a simple and intuitive system for identifying where you fall within four temperaments (Blue, Gold, Green, or Orange). It is an effective tool for uncovering motivators specific to each temperament, managing conflict, and improving communication skills.
Suggested minimum duration: customizable

Trauma Informed Care Approaches
Target audience: adults
Becoming "trauma-informed" mean recognizing that people often have many types of trauma in their lives, and they can unintentionally be re-traumatized by well-meaning caregivers and service providers. By developing shared understanding and language, becoming aware of the prevalence of trauma, and understanding the impact of trauma, you can take an important first step in becoming a more compassionate and supportive community.
Suggested minimum duration: 4 hours for in-person or 2.5 hours for virtual

Body

Ag in the Classroom

Ag in the Classroom is a statewide agriculture literacy program that provides educators and students with resources to help them understand the vital role of agriculture in their lives and society.  Click here to learn more about local Ag in the Classroom activities.

 

Nutrition Education

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is available to qualifying schools.  For more information, contact local SNAP-Ed staff.

 

Online Resources

Terrific Teachable Moments is a free app developed by Illinois Extension to help teachers, parents, and youth mentors reinforce positive choices and emotional awareness through 150 10-minute lessons on topics including honesty, compassion, and self-control.

The CLOVER website from the National 4-H Council contains 190+ interactive online activities that can be used by teachers and parents of kids ages 5-18.