This document discusses action learning and informed civic action. It provides examples of actions students can take to become more informed and engaged in the political process, such as organizing voter registration drives, holding debates on political issues, creating informational materials about candidates, and contacting elected officials. The document emphasizes that taking action based on knowledge and understanding of issues, rather than just having knowledge, is the most impactful form of learning. It also provides guidance on setting goals, developing action plans, and evaluating the outcomes of civic actions.

5. ACTION LEARNING
is
POWERFUL
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6. Act
Understand
Know

7. Knowledge – 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?
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8. 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?

9. Beware of Uninformed Action

10. Action – 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.
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11. Action – 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.

12. Action– 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.

13. Action – 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.

14. Action Steps
1. Imagination: imagine informed action as the goal.
2. Goal Setting: articulate the concrete goal of each action.
3. Actionable Intelligence: formulate an action plan of
specific steps students will take to achieve their goal.
4. Roadside Assistance: model for & shepherd students
through this challenging & time consuming process.
5. Evaluation: assess the process and product of student
action with a rubric.
6. Self-Assessment: self-reflect upon the process & outcome
with lessons learned and plans for improvement.

15. 40 ways to take Informed 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
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16. 40 ways to take Informed 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 or post your civic or political opinion on social media
14. Create a class award to issue to a modern-day example of a
historical figure: explorer or leader
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
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17. 40 ways to take Informed 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 in your school or community 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
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18. 40 ways to take Informed 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
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19. 40 ways to take Informed Civic Action
37. Use your informed knowledge of a historical issue/event and explain to
your community, friends, family, or politicians how that historical
issue/event connects to a contemporary issue/event.
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. _________________________________
(Create your own or hack any of the examples above)
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20. Informed Civic Action Rubric
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21. You’ll find this and other professional development
materials & support at jonathanmilner.org
Contact Jonathan at milnerjonathan@gmail.com