Project Completion and Evaluation
4-H project work tends to taper off as the year progresses until there
is a "flurry of activity" just prior to fair exhibit and judging
days. The following are some suggestions for parents and project leaders
to assist youth in doing a better job of completing project work and of
evaluating their own experiences.
Parents:
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Help members set up a timeline for project work to be done based on their goals. Write these dates on the family calendar and check progress periodically.
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Set aside time weekly or monthly for the family to work together on project work. Include time to update project planning sheets and "My 4-H Activities" record.
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Assist members in securing the resources that they need to have to work on their projects. Having the supplies on hand gives members a chance to work on projects when they have a few minutes of leisure time.
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Designate a special drawer, chest or tub that completed project work can be stored in safely until fair time. Members then will have a variety of items to choose from for their fair exhibit.
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Set aside time closer to the fair entry date to review all of the work completed in each project. Use this time to allow the member to carefully critique each item and determine which item they would like to select to represent their work in the project area for the year. This is an excellent opportunity to help young people practice the life skill of decision-making.
Project Leaders:
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Establish a regular schedule of project group experiences where members may gather to work together on their project. This schedule could be once a month for six months, four Saturdays in a row, or three times a week during the month of June. The important thing is that members and adults gather to learn and have fun together.
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Vary the activities that occur at project meetings. Talks and demos might be presented at one meeting, a field trip to secure resources for project work might be another, and finally two or three meetings might be spent actually working on specific components of a project item.
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Allocate time at project meetings to update planning sheets, answer questions, have members report on progress made, and help them think about what comes next.
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Try to maintain contact with parents of members. Answer their questions and encourage them to work with their members at home on their projects. Parents might be invited to attend one or more of project meetings.
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Discuss the concept of "project completion." This is acceptable progress toward goals set at the beginning of the year. As a project leader, you will need to be flexible and take into consideration the age and ability of the child as well as the amount of parental support and resources available. This is where we can help young people learn the life skill of responsibility.
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Allocate time for members to bring their project work to a meeting. Have each member review and evaluate his or her work. Review the planning sheets and the goals they set earlier. Give recognition for the work that has been accomplished. Youth, like most adults have unfinished work or tasks, but they will probably be willing to discuss what they have accomplished
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Celebrate the accomplishment of learning by doing through the members' project work. Involve members, parents and junior leaders in the recognition activity. There are recognition items for "progress toward goals" available through the local Extension office. Talk to the 4-H youth staff there about how to take advantage of such resources.
Young people, parents, and project leaders all need to work together to see that 4-H project work occurs, that learning by doing takes place, and that everyone has fun while developing the life skills of decision-making, communication, and responsibility.
