This document provides examples of civic action projects for students to demonstrate their knowledge of the US political process and presidential elections. It includes suggestions for students to create flyers, voter guides, organize voter registration drives or debates to educate others. The document emphasizes imagining civic action rather than just knowledge, setting goals, developing action plans, supporting students, and evaluating results to promote meaningful civic engagement.

10. ACTION LEARNING

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

12. Understanding - better
What 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?

13. Doing - best
Using 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Action Steps
1. 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.

18. 40 ways to take Civic Action
1. 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 drive
3. Hold a teach-in on a topic of importance to you and educate your
peers about something of importance to you
4. Assemble a group of people for a rally/protest/march of an issue
you support
5. Attend a public meeting and speak out for something you believe in
6. 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
importance
8. Write a letter to the editor about something important to you
9. Speak to a politician or member of government on the phone or in
person
10. Invite a member of government/politician to speak to your
class/group

19. 40 ways to take Civic Action
11. Get invited on a TV show or radio show to promote an interest of
importance to you
12. Tag a public area in chalk (do not use any permanent materials!)
espousing a particular idea or belief
13. Print and disseminate posters, pamphlets, or flyers supporting your
opinion
14. Post your civic or political opinion on social media
15. 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 18
17. Volunteer your special skills to an organization
18. Walk or bike to support a cause and meet others
19. Attend Memorial Day, Veterans Day, or other civic parades
20. Participate in political campaigns and volunteer for a candidate or an
issue you support

20. 40 ways to take Civic Action
21. Start a lunch gathering or a discussion group with classmates or neighbors
22. Run for public office as soon as you are eligible
23. Offer to serve on a school or town committee
24. Stand at a major intersection holding a sign for your favorite
candidate/issue
25. Join a nonprofit board of directors
26. 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

21. 40 ways to take Civic Action
30. Create and put up a flyer on campus urging students to support or oppose
a particular candidate or issue
31. Make and wear an armband, t-shirt, or other symbolic clothing promoting
a certain belief or value
32. Make a voting guide with information about candidates’ positions on
certain issues that are important to you
33. If you aren't old enough to vote, convince someone old enough to vote to
vote the way you wish you could vote
34. Make an advertisement (video, print, digital ad) for your favorite candidate
and post it online
35. 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

22. 40 ways to take Civic Action
37. 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.gov
U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov
40.

25. You’ll find this and other professional development
materials & support at jonathanmilner.org
Contact Jonathan at milnerjonathan@gmail.com