Citizen Action Teacher Guide Citizen Action
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Civics / Government
Objective
Students will design a grassroots organization to address a contemporary local issue, applying the organizational structure and strategies (Direct Action vs. Mass Mobilization) modeled in the lesson video.
Lesson Timeline (50 Minutes)
05 min
Warm-up: The Pyramid Graphic. Discuss the concept of "bottom-up" vs. "top-down" power.
10 min
Video Viewing: Focus on Intro and Structure sections (0:00 - 4:06).
25 min
Group Project: "Community Blueprint." Students design their local organization.
05 min
Closure: Elevator Pitch. Groups share their primary goal and organization name.
Key Vocabulary
Grassroots A movement starting at the local level with ordinary people.
Mass Mobilization Public demonstrations (boycotts, sit-ins) to pressure government.
Direct Action Independent programs (clinics, food drives) that solve problems directly.
Discussion Prompts & Timestamps
2:20 — The Grassroots Pyramid
"How is this different from how a traditional company or school is run?"
Look for: Centralized vs. decentralized power; decision-making speed vs. community buy-in.
3:45 — Strategies in Action
"If our school cafeteria food was bad, what would be a 'Mass Mobilization' response vs. a 'Direct Action' response?"
Direct Action: Starting a student-run garden or lunch co-op. Mass Mobilization: A student boycott or a petition to the board.
7:25 — Perception of Threat
"Why would the government view a free breakfast program as a 'national security threat'?"
Look for: Public support/loyalty shifting from government to local orgs; fear of radicalization.
Project Tips
Encourage students to pick "hyper-local" issues (e.g., a specific intersection that needs a stop sign).
Ensure the 'Direct Action' is something they can actually *do* as citizens, not just a request for the city.
For the elevator pitch, set a 30-second timer to keep it punchy.
The "Grassroots" Concept
Remind students that the "bottom" of the pyramid in the video isn't about being "low status"—it's the foundation of power. Without the community members at the base, the committees have no authority.
Grassroots Power Anchor Chart Community Organizing 101
Grassroots Power
The Grassroots Structure
National / Regional
Coordinating large-scale impact
Committees
Education
Healthcare
Housing
Food Justice
Community Members
The Foundation of Power & Decision Making
Bottom-Up Power
Direct Action
Fixing the problem ourselves.
Independent Programs
Community Health Clinics
Free Breakfast Programs
Mass Mobilization
Pressuring power for change.
Public Demonstrations
Economic Boycotts
Sit-ins & Protests
"The overall goal is to give people the power.
Grassroots Power Presentation Slides Civics & Government
Grassroots
Power
Building Change from the Bottom Up
The Power Pyramid
Think about the organizations you know (schools, companies, government).
Discussion Question:
How is a grassroots structure different from a "traditional" top-down hierarchy?
COMMUNITY
Power flows UPWARDS
Calls for Change
Embedded media
Watch for:
Definitions of "Structure"
Watch for:
Direct Action Examples
Watch for:
Mass Mobilization Tactics
The Grassroots Blueprint
01
Local Residents
The foundation. They make the key decisions and drive the mission.
02
Committees
Specialized groups (Housing, Education, Food) that report to the whole body.
03
Regional Body
Optional connection point for multiple local chapters to share resources.
Two Paths to Change
Direct Action
Creating independent programs to solve problems without waiting for government help.
Examples: Food pantries, community clinics, neighborhood watches.
Mass Mobilization
Public demonstrations and pressure campaigns to force governments to act.
Examples: Boycotts, sit-ins, protest marches, petitions.
Your Mission
"Build Your Own Org"
Identify a local issue.
Name your organization.
Outline your Committees.
Plan a Direct Action program.
Plan a Mass Mobilization tactic.
Prepare an Elevator Pitch.
Elevator Pitch
You have 30 seconds to tell the world who you are and what you're fixing.
"We are [NAME], and we are organizing to [GOAL] through [PRIMARY STRATEGY]..."
Build Your Own Org Blueprint Worksheet Build Your Own Org
Grassroots Action Blueprint
NAMES:
PERIOD:
1 Identify the Issue
What is one local problem in your community or school that needs immediate attention? (e.g., litter, lack of green space, unsafe intersections, food insecurity)
2 Name Your Org
Choose something punchy and memorable.
3 Mission Statement
What is your ultimate goal in one sentence?
4 Build the Committees
Define two specific committees that will help run your organization. Who is in charge of what?
Committee A (e.g., Outreach, Research)
Focus Area:
Committee B
Focus Area:
Direct Action
Independent program you will run:
Mass Mobilization
Tactic to pressure the government:
The Elevator Pitch
Draft your 30-second pitch here. Mention your name, the issue, and your main solution.
