MSU Extension Saginaw County

As part of Michigan State University Extension, Saginaw 4-H provides a variety of research-based programs for schools, afterschool programs, camps, and many other youth groups. 

Looking for more educational programs or resources around STEAM, agricultural, animal science, financial literacy, social and emotional wellbeing, or outdoor education? Contact gathstac@msu.edu to learn how to bring 4-H programs to your school or youth today! 

SAGINAW 4-H SCHOOL PROGRAMS

4-H Embryology (Grades K-4)
4-H Embryology is a 4 to 6 week program that teaches students about the parts of an egg to caring for freshly hatched checks and everything in between! The Embryology Program is available March - June. 

Lesson Topics:

• Part of the egg
• Incubator set up
• Development
• Candling
• Hatching
• Chick Handling

Through participating in this course, students will learn:

• Parts of an egg and their functions
• What is required to hatch an egg, how it hatches naturally and artificially
• Different methods to observe a developing embryo and different stages of development
• What a chick needs to live and how to care for them
• Record keeping

The objectives of the course are to:

• Teach responsibility and caring for a living thing
• Teach respect for life and the value of living things
• Emphasize a “hands-on” experience with living things
• Help students grasp developmental processes and stages of growth
• Introduce and explain the topic of reproduction
• Introduce students to scientific processes and other areas of science

Saginaw 4-H provides….

• In-class/Virtual instruction
• 30-60 minute lessons
• Learning kits (if applicable)
• All supplies provided
• No Cost
• Incubators (on loan)
• Lesson options available with or without incubators/live chickens

Fill out the Embryology Program interest form at https://forms.gle/6cjii3p3ByBKiyff9 or contact gathstac@msu.edu or will1975@msu.edu for more information on bringing embryology to your class, afterschool program or other youth group today!

 4-H Mindful Me Program (Grades K-3)

Mindful Me: A 4-H Primary Mindfulness Curriculum, introduces youth members to basic concepts in mindfulness practices. 

Mindful Me is designed to support:

• managing one’s own goals
• developing a sense of self
• time management
• stress management
• emotional regulation
• mindful eating practices

Lesson Topics:

• Mindful Eating
• Affirmations
• Focus
• Finding Quiet
• Emotion Regulation

Saginaw 4-H provides....

• Grades K-3
• 4-6 week lessons
• 30-60 minute lessons
• Supplies 
• Program at no cost
• In-Person or Virtual Instruction
• Customizable schedule options

Mindful Me Lessons

Lesson 1: Mindful Eating-Is this Apple Red?
Mindful eating is all about getting to know your food better-what it looks like, smells like, feels like, and of course what it tastes like. By practicing mindful eating, we slow down our food consumption and notice what we are eating more and how it makes us feel. As you read No Ordinary Apple youth will have an opportunity to practice mindful eating.

Lesson 2: Affirmations-You Are Great!
Practicing mindfulness includes how we choose to interact with others.  It is important to understand that how we choose to treat people impacts us too. In this activity youth will practice being mindful of their actions towards others by creating an affirmation card or gratitude card. Affirmations are kind words that we say to someone, like "you are loved" or "you are funny." Affirmations are meant to make people feel happy and good about themselves.

Lesson 3: The Gift of Presence-Giving Presence
It can be easy to get distracted with what we have planned for the future--an upcoming birthday party, an exciting field trip, or things that happened in the past, like a disagreement with a friend, a family vacation, or falling off your bike. Being in the present means not thinking about the past or the future but just focusing on what is happening in this very moment.  When we practice being in the moment we tend to notice more, and enjoy the activities we are engaged in. Youth will practice being in the moment by using their observation skills on a scavenger hunt.

Lesson 4: Mood Management-Smile Tag
Have you ever had a feeling that you just wanted to go away? Have you ever woke up just feeling grumpy? Sometimes it's hard to smile, but there are a few things we can do to turn a sour day into a good day. Acting grumpy often leaves us feeling sad and lonely, but talking about our grumpy feelings with caring adults and other people we love can help us feel better. For this activity, youth will play a game of mood cloud tag to help them understand how to beat the grouchies with helping friends.

Lesson 5: Mood Management-Practice Focus
Sometimes things do not go our way – we misplace a favorite toy, we argue with a friend or sibling, we forget our homework – many things can go unexpectedly.  How we react to those events can make things worse or better.  Oftentimes taking a deep breath and thinking before we take action can help calm nerves and ensure that we take actions to make the situation better.  In this activity youth will develop a tool that will help them calm down and focus when they are feeling down.

Lesson 6: Quiet Listening-Being the Quiet
Meditation is a tool that can help us calm down and when we are too stressed, scared, or overwhelmed.  By stopping to clear our mind and being still for a moment we can make ourselves feel better and stronger.  In this activity, youth will be confronted with a “hurricane” of obstacles.  Youth will have the opportunity to practice meditation as a tool to manage stress and worry.

Contact gathstac@msu.edu to bring the Mindful Me program to your classroom, afterschool program, other other youth group today!