RECORD KEEPING AND RECORD BOOK OBJECTIVES
The following objectives will be used for helping you determine your goal and process in a project. These objectives can be used for your record keeping and will be used as you prepare a recordbook.
These objectives may be revised periodically to address issues affecting youth development.
The objectives are to be used in setting goals for project experiences, leadership, community service and awards. They will be reflected throughout a 4-H members recordbook.
- Attain a broad knowledge of 4-H projects and activities and the way they improve family and community life.
- Acquire life skills essential for becoming an active, skilled, productive and responsible citizen.
- Adopt and apply the latest practices and research findings to everyday living.
- Use all 4-H training and experiences in choosing and preparing for a job.
- Develop leadership skills that promote positive youth development.
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RECORD KEEPING AND RECORD BOOK FORMS
The Texas 4-H Record keeping System has seven different forms. Some of these forms are used by 4-H members, some by leaders and parents, and some only by your County Extension Agent. Make sure that you have the correct forms when starting your recordkeeping experience.
Each of these forms may be ordered, for a fee, through the Texas AgriLife Extension Service Bookstore at: http://tcebookstore.org . Additionally, your local County Extension Office may be able to supply you with copies.
One of the new features of the recordkeeping system is that these forms will not be revised each year (except for the Texas 4-H Clover). Therefore it is not necessary for you to request instructions for completing a 4-H recordbook each year, just hang on to the one you get this year.
RECORD KEEPING AND RECORD BOOK FORMS |
Format |
Form Name and Description |
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Member Achievement Plan (M.A.P.)
Used by 4-H members to keep track of project growth and development. 4-H Members will need to keep one of these forms for each project they participate in.
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Record Improvement Guide
The Record Improvement Guide is designed to provide instruction on the development of a Texas 4-H Recordbook. This provides the guidelines and the "do's" and "don'ts" of completing a 4-H recordbook. Each family only needs one of this publication. |
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Clarifications to Record Improvement Guide (2003) |
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Personal Information Page/Report Form&Checklist
In the past, these have been three separate publications. Now it is all in one! This is the form used in completing a competitive recordbook. |
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Texas 4-H Clover
The Texas 4-H Clover is the catalog of opportunities provided and offered each year by the Texas 4-H and Youth Development program. Additionally, it has a section on the 4-H record keeping system that includes the recordbook categories and objectives for all of the projects. |
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Recordbook Score Sheet
This is the scoresheet that is used in the evaluation of a competitive 4-H recordbook. It provides guidelines for the placing system, however, counties and districts may choose to use different systems or methods for placing. |
TEACHING, TRAINING, and RECOGNITION RESOURCES |
County Extension Office Can Order Through Bookstore |
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Teaching Plans
This is a package of seven different lesson plans used by County Extension Agents and leaders to train 4-H members, leaders, and parents on recordkeeping. |
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Recordbook Judges Training Packet
The newest publication to the recordkeeping concept is a judges training packet to be utilized by County Extension Agents. |
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"For The Record" Completion Certificate |
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These questions are developed to answer those most frequently asked questions or to help clarify sections of the Recordkeeping System. Please check back frequently to see if additional questions that you may have are posted.
Can my recordbook be handwritten or does it have to be typed?
As you prepare your 4-H recordbook you have the option to either handwrite or type it. Please note if your handwriting is poor, you may wish to really try and have a friend or leader help you type it.
GUIDELINE NOTE: On the recordbook check sheet it does says "typed double space" however this is just a note saying that IF it is typed, then it must be double spaced and a minimum of a 10 point font.
I am a Senior 4-H member competing in the recordbook competition, do I have to have my Resume done by a professional resume preparer or professionally copied?
Please NO, the resume is designed for Senior 4-H member to begin developing a professional record that they can use to acquire a summer job or use in an award interview. In preparing your resume all that we asked is that there are no pictures and that it is not duplicated on business letterhead. Refer to the Record Improvement Guide for a sample of a resume. Your resume should be printed on standard typing paper. You will not get any more points for resume bond paper or fancy paper!
Can I place NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS in my 4-H Story and Photo Portfolio?
The 4-H story and photo portfolio allows for 4-H members to place only NEWSPAPER PHOTO CLIPPINGS, NOT STORIES. Remember the 4-H story and photo portfolio is yours. We want to hear about your 4-H career from you, however we realize the sometimes the local reporter may have gotten a great shot that mom or dad missed. That's why we are now allowing newspaper photos and not newspaper stories.
The Record Improvement Guide (Section 1, 4-H Project Experiences) states that knowledge gained should meet the project specific objectives outlined in the Texas 4-H Clover, however there are only 10 general objectives. What do I do?
That was one of those fleas or "bugs" that didn't get out of Lucky's system. Use the 10 general objectives listed in the Texas 4-H Clover as your objectives. These objectives were designed to fit all Texas 4-H projects, so you should have no problems adapting them to your specific project(s).
What is an example of a project that would go under the Plant and Soil Science recordbook category?
The Plant and Soil Science category would include such projects as field crops or a project in soil erosion, etc.
I have a lot of non-4-H experiences that goes back for more than four years, can I list all the years or just the past four years?
You are allowed to list non-4-H experiences for more than four years ago if you wish.
Can I talk about more than just the past four years in my 4-H story and photo portfolio?
YES, by all means. The story and photo portfolio is your way of telling all about your 4-H career, how you begin, why you stayed in 4-H, and about the "good and the bad" that has happened to you throughout all of your 4-H career.
I am doing my record book in photography. I was told that I can add an additional six (6) pages of photos, is that right?
YES, those additional six pages of photos should be photos taken as part of your project, they are not photos of you washing a pig or leading a meeting. These pages to highlight your skills, or how your skills have grown.
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