4-H in the Classroom

Since the mid‑sixties, Missouri 4‑H has worked cooperatively with public and private schools to enhance the school curriculum.

Criteria governing the use of 4‑H curriculums in school settings approved by the University of Missouri system and Lincoln University academic departments:

1. Six or more periods or hours in length.

2. Experientially based, including activities for each lesson.

3. Conducted by the classroom teacher or other volunteer with assistance from 4‑H personnel.

4. A cooperative program between school and 4‑H.  The school provides the enrollment list and teaching.  4‑H provides program assistance, training ties with the community and support materials.  We provide materials for teachers and students at the cost of printing and handling.

(This criteria is to be used for locally developed or state developed school enrichment programs.)

School Enrichment
Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development values its relationship with schools and welcomes the opportunity to provide educationally sound, fun, action-oriented, experiential curriculum for use in classrooms.

Recommended project topics specific to the school setting:
Descriptions in School Enrichment (PDF)

• Locally-sponsored programs
• 4-H After School
• Local Government CECH-UP
• Show Me Character
• Hatching Chicks in the Classroom
• Embryology: Experiments in Poultry Science
• Household Hazardous Waste Management
• Guide to Exploring African American Culture
• Latino Cultural Arts
• Citizenship - Public Adventures
• Youth Adult Partnerships
• Entrepreneurship

Contact our state 4-H staff for more information concerning the School Enrichment Program.

Show Me Nutrition
The Family Nutrition Education Program (FNEP) offers classes in Missouri schools for pre-K through grade 12 that meet the criteria for low income participants.  Classes are taught by trained nutrition educators working in cooperation with classroom teachers. 

For information on the availability of Show Me Nutrition in your area, contact your county Extension office.

Nutrition series lessons include:
Descriptions in Show Me Nutrition (PDF)

• Adventures in Nutrition with the Show-Me Chef (kindergarten)
• Fun with Food and Fitness (first grade)
• Building MyPyramid (second grade)
• Building My Body (third grade)
• Choosing Foods for Me (fourth grade)
• Exploring MyPyramid (fifth grade)
• Digging Deeper (sixth grade)
• Choices and Challenges (seventh and eighth grades)