ACTION LEARNING

Knowing - goodWhat date do presidential elections take place?How old do you have to be to become president?Who are the top presidential candidates this year?

Understanding - betterWhat is a consequence of the American political campaign process?Why don’t we allow minors to vote for president?What is the effect of money on the U.S. presidential election process?What impact will Donald Trump’s hair have on voter turnout?

Doing - bestUsing your knowledge of the US political process, presidential campaigns, elections, and the presidential candidates, make a flyer to post in the hallway or a post for facebook explaining why people should support and vote for the candidate of your choice.

Doing - best (continued)Using your knowledge of the US political process, presidential campaigns, elections, and the presidential candidates, make a physical or virtual voters guide listing the top candidates positions on issues of importance to you and your peers.

Doing – best (continued)Using your knowledge of the US political process, presidential campaigns, elections, and the presidential candidates, organize a voter registration drive or a get out the vote campaign at your school.

Doing – best (continued)Using your knowledge of the US political process, presidential campaigns, elections, and the presidential candidates, hold a mock presidential candidate debate on campus followed by a mock election.

Action Steps1. Imagination: imagine action instead of knowledge as the goal

of lessons & assignments.2. Goal Setting: articulate the concrete goal of your action.3. Actionable Intelligence: formulate an action plan of specific

action steps that students will take to achieve their goal.4. Roadside Assistance: shepherd students through the difficult

and time consuming process of action. Action takes time, you will have to set clear and discrete actions, set goals for the action.

5. Evaluation: If we are serious about getting kids to act on knowledge, we must evaluate the results of their actions! Give your students a clear rubric for evaluating their action and hold them to it.

6. Self-Assessment: evaluation of lessons learned and actions for improvement.

40 ways to take Civic Action1. Petition the government about an issue of importance. Get people to

sign your petition or create an online petition at change.org 2. Contact your local board of elections and make your very own voter

registration drive3. Hold a teach-in on a topic of importance to you and educate your peers

about something of importance to you4. Assemble a group of people for a rally/protest/march of an issue you

support5. Attend a public meeting and speak out for something you believe in6. Attend a meeting of a local or national interest group 7. Call in to a talk show and express your opinion on a topic of importance8. Write a letter to the editor about something important to you9. Speak to a politician or member of government on the phone or in

person10. Invite a member of government/politician to speak to your class/group

40 ways to take Civic Action11. Get invited on a TV show or radio show to promote an interest of

importance to you12. Tag a public area in chalk (do not use any permanent materials!) espousing

a particular idea or belief13. Print and disseminate posters, pamphlets, or flyers supporting your opinion14. Post your civic or political opinion on social media15. Make up five poll or interview questions about a topic you know something

about and hold an opinion on and poll/interview 10 people, then post your results

16. Register to vote and vote as soon as you turn 1817. Volunteer your special skills to an organization18. Walk or bike to support a cause and meet others19. Attend Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or other civic parades20. Participate in political campaigns and volunteer for a candidate or an issue

you support

40 ways to take Civic Action21. Start a lunch gathering or a discussion group with classmates or neighbors22. Run for public office as soon as you are eligible23. Offer to serve on a school or town committee24. Stand at a major intersection holding a sign for your favorite

candidate/issue25. Join a nonprofit board of directors26. Call the capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak with your

House Representative or Senator.27. Make your own infographic about an issue of importance to you at

Piktochart.com There is probably a place at your school where lots of people congregate. Print out a copy of your infographic, post it on the wall in that area, and notice what happens; or just post it online

28. Figure out who to vote for. How do your beliefs align with the 2016 presidential candidates? www.isidewith.com/ Once you know then try to convince 3 people to support your candidate.

29. Volunteer for an interest group whose goals you support

40 ways to take Civic Action30. Create and put up a flyer on campus urging students to support or oppose

a particular candidate or issue31. Make and wear an armband, t-shirt, or other symbolic clothing promoting

a certain belief or value32. Make a voting guide with information about candidates’ positions on

certain issues that are important to you33. If you aren't old enough to vote, convince someone old enough to vote to

vote the way you wish you could vote34. Make an advertisement (video, print, digital ad) for your favorite candidate

and post it online35. Make a 20 second video urging your fellow students to vote . Put a cat in

your video. People love cats. Upload your video to YouTube and watch it go viral and change the outcome of the 2016 presidential election

36. Organize a mock election at your school

40 ways to take Civic Action37. Contact your state legislator, share your opinion on any issue, and urge

them to enact legislation you support.38. Share your opinion on any political topic with the president at (202) 456-

1111 or you can create a White House petition.39. There is a 92% chance that you have a smartphone within 20 feet of you.

Call the capitol switchboard and ask to speak to one of your US Congressional representatives. Tell your representatives what you think of a current US policy. Promote an idea you believe in to one of your state's U.S. Senators. Call the capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Or locate your Member on-line:U.S. House of Representatives: www.house.govU.S. Senate: www.senate.gov

40.

You’ll find this and other professional development materials & support at jonathanmilner.org

Contact Jonathan at milnerjonathan@gmail.com