Sunday, November 30, 2014

What Obama's Immigration Action Really Means (On Assignment)



VOAVideo: What Obama's Immigration Action Really Means (On Assignment): http://youtu.be/TCtQ9YxHSPk via @YouTube

VOA National Correspondent Jim Malone chats with On Assignment’s Alex Villarreal about President Barack Obama's executive action on immigration.

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Future Uncertain for Asian Immigrants Facing Deportation in US



VOAVideo: Future Uncertain for Asian Immigrants Facing Deportation in US

In the debate about immigration in the United States, one group often overlooked is the estimated 1.3 million illegal immigrants from Asia. President Barack Obama’s recent executive order can provide a temporary reprieve from deportation to about 400,000 of these people, but for many more, the future is uncertain. VOA's Elizabeth Lee reports.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/future-uncertain-asian-immigrants-facing-deportation-us/2536351.html

Friday, November 28, 2014

West Wing Week: 11/28/14 or, "We Need Turkey



wh.gov: West Wing Week: 11/28/14 or, "We Need Turkey


Welcome to this Turkey Day edition of West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and beyond. This week, the President traveled to Las Vegas and Chicago to highlight the steps he is taking to reform our broken immigration system, awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and delivered a statement on the Grand Jury's decision in Ferguson, while the Vice President and Dr. Biden visited Ukraine and Turkey. That's November 21st to November 27th or, "We Need Turkey."

Also watch wh.gov: The First Family Participates in a Service Project

Ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, the First Family continued their annual tradition by participating in a service project. This year's project was at Bread for the City — a Southeast Washington, D.C. charity dedicated to providing Washington's most vulnerable residents with food, clothing, and other services.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

US Community Kicks Off Thanksgiving With Parade



VOAVideo: US Community Kicks Off Thanksgiving With Parade

Thursday is Thanksgiving in the United States, a holiday whose roots go back to the country's earliest days as a British colony. One way Americans celebrate the occasion is with parades. Anush Avetisyan takes us to one such event on the day before Thanksgiving near Washington, where a community's diversity is on display. Joy Wagner narrates
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/us-community-kicks-off-thanksgiving-with-parade/2536148.html</>

also watch:

VOAVideo:
Holiday Shopping Erodes Thanksgiving Tradition, Many Say

Thanksgiving PPTX, Video, and More!



Kahoot.it: Thanksgiving and USCIS Citizenship Question
Questions about the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag inspired USCIS Citizenship questions and answers.


uscitizenpod: Thanksgiving Video
http://youtu.be/_6n3tH9rlvk




uscitizenpod: Thanksgiving pptx  http://goo.gl/Ds42G6

Older resources, but still useful:

Thanksgiving! (posted Nov 2007)

Today we will review the 96Qs (50, 53, 68, 69, 70) and the new 100Q (10, 58, 59, 87, 100) related to Thanksgiving.  Note the difference between the old and new sets of USCIS questions.

Handouts:
  1. Thanksgiving mp3
  2. Q50 and 53 Class Handout
  3. Q68-70 Class Handout
  4. Thanksgiving Quiz: USCIS 96Qs and new 100Qs
  5. Thanksgiving Quiz Answers (Qs with answers--perfect for practice)
  6. Thanksgiving Cloze Essay
Dictation:
  1. All people want to be free.
  2. Many people come to America for freedom.
There are many links listed on the handouts. Of special interest are
  1. ELCivics.com: Thanksgiving
  2. ELCivics.com: The 13 Original Colonies
  3. ELCivics.com: American Indian Tribes
  4. TimePage: 13 Original Colonies Time Line
Not on the handouts, but still good practice:
  1. Thanksgiving Quiz 1 - Thanksgiving in the USA (Charles Kelly) 35 medium to difficult multiple-choice questions
  2. Thanksgiving Quiz 2 - The First Thanksgiving in America (Charles Kelly) 30 medium to difficult multiple-choice questions
  3. Thanksgiving Quiz 3 - How Thanksgiving Becomes a National Holiday in the USA (Charles Kelly) 10 medium to difficult multiple-choice questions

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

U.S. Citizenship 15: Thanksgiving


LearningChocolate.com: U.S. Citizenship 15: Thanksgiving
http://goo.gl/cqLhz6

The Pilgrims were a small group of Europeans from England.
The Pilgrims left Europe to escape persecution.
The Pilgrims wanted freedom to practice their religion.
The Pilgrims decided to go to America to be colonists.
The Pilgrims sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to start a colony.

Before the Pilgrims left the ship, they wrote and signed the Mayflower Compact.
The Mayflower Compact said that the Pilgrims would practice self-government.
The Mayflower Compact said that the Pilgrims would have political liberty and religious freedom..

The Pilgrims landed in the land of the Wampanoag, near present-day Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The Pilgrims were met by the Wampanoag.
The Wampanoag were a Native American tribe.
The Wampanoag were led by Chief Massasoit.
The Pilgrims were led by William Bradford.

The Pilgrims started the Plymouth Colony.
The Wampanoag helped the Pilgrims grow food.
After the fall harvest of 1621, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag celebrated Thanksgiving.

Americans now celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.
We celebrate Thanksgiving with food, family, and friends.
Some people collect food and clothing for the poor.
Others start their Christmas shopping during the Thanksgiving weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving!


  • USCIS 100:58. What is one reason colonists came to America?
  • USCIS 100:59. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
  • USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.



"The Mayflower Compact 1620" by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Mayflower_Compact_1620_cph.3g...
"Embarkation of the Pilgrims - Google Art Project" by Robert Walter Weir
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Robert_Walter_Weir_-_Embarkation_...
"The First Thanksgiving" by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/The_First_Thanksgivin...
**Note: The painting shows common misconceptions about the event that persist to modern times: Pilgrims did not wear such outfits, and the Wampanoag are dressed in the style of Native Americans from the Great Plains.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q86 to Q100 - EZ Civics Lessons



ListenAndReadAlong: US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q86 to Q100 - EZ Civics Lessons http://youtu.be/jzvMccEmeWk

This is a continuation of the US Citizenship Booklet 2014: Learn about the United States.

The Civics Test.
This rovie concludes American History: Part B: 1800s and start of Part C: 1900s.. and includes

INTEGRATED CIVICS

An understanding of America’s geography, symbols, and holidays is important. They provide background and more meaning to historical events and other landmark moments in U.S. history. The following section offers short lessons on our country’s geography, national symbols, and national holidays. The geography of the United States is unusual because of the size of the country and the fact that it is bordered by two oceans that create natural boundaries to the east and west. Through visual symbols such as our flag and the Statue of Liberty, the values and history of the United States are often expressed. Finally, you will also learn about our national holidays and why we celebrate them. Most of our holidays honor people who have contributed to our history and to the development of our nation. By learning this information, you will develop a deeper understanding of
the United States and its geographical boundaries, principles, and freedoms.

Parts A(Geography), B(Symbols) and C(holidays)
This concludes the Civics Portion of the Booklet

Monday, November 24, 2014

The President Speaks on Fixing America's Broken Immigration System



wh.gov: The President Speaks on Fixing America's Broken Immigration System

In an address to the nation, President Obama lays out the executive action he's taking to fix our nation's broken immigration system, November 20, 2014.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q71 to Q85 - EZ Civics Lessons



ListenAndReadAlong: US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q71 to Q85 - EZ Civics Lessons

This is a continuation of the US Citizenship Booklet 2014: Learn about the United States.
The Civics Test.

This part is on American History: Part B: 1800s and start of Part C: 1900s..

For more than 200 years, the United States has strived to become a “more perfect union.” Its history has been one of expansive citizenship for all Americans. By learning about our shared history, you will be able to understand our nation’s traditions, milestones, and common civic values. Our country is independent because of the strength, unity, and determination of our forefathers. It is important for future Americans to know this story.

We are people working toward great ideals and principles guided by equality and fairness. This is important to keep our country free. As Americans, we have been committed to each other and our country throughout our history. The following section will help you understand American history from the colonial period and independence to the Civil War and other important events during the 1800s, 1900s, and today.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Constitutional Showdown Looms Over Obama Immigration Order



VOAVideo: Constitutional Showdown Looms Over Obama Immigration Order

President Barack Obama is expected to announce a controversial decision soon to issue an an executive order that would save millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation. VOA's Carolyn Presutti shows us who would be affected by the order and how it sets up a showdown with Republican lawmakers.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/2525652.html

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q58 to Q70 - EZ Civics Lessons



ListenAndReadAlong: US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q58 to Q70 - EZ Civics Lessons

This is a continuation of the US Citizenship Booklet 2014: Learn about the United States.
The Civics Test.
This part is on American History: Part A: Colonial Period and Independence.

For more than 200 years, the United States has strived to become a “more perfect union.” Its history has been one of expansive citizenship for all Americans. By learning about our shared history, you will be able to understand our nation’s traditions, milestones, and common civic values. Our country is independent because of the strength, unity, and determination of our forefathers. It is important for future Americans to know this story.

We are people working toward great ideals and principles guided by equality and fairness. This is important to keep our country free. As Americans, we have been committed to each other and our country throughout our history. The following section will help you understand American history from the colonial period and independence to the Civil War and other important events during the 1800s, 1900s, and today.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

A Veterans Day Kahoot and more!


Kahoot.it: A Veterans Day Kahoot! http://goo.gl/buAFBe

More Veterans Day Resources:



Also check one of the best ESL sites on the web: ELCivics.com: Veterans Day http://goo.gl/mcIm2y

Monday, November 10, 2014

Veterans Day Video and more!



uscitizenpod: Veterans Day video for Beginning Level ESL/Citizenship Students http://youtu.be/0wz6ctrnvIY

More Veterans Day Resources:

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Veterans Day Learning Chocolate



More Veterans Day Resources:



Also check one of the best ESL sites on the web: ELCivics.com: Veterans Day http://goo.gl/mcIm2y

Friday, November 7, 2014

US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q41 to Q57 - EZ Civics Lessons



ListenAndReadAlong: US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q41 to Q57 - EZ Civics Lessons

This is a lesson in United States Civics. This Reading Movie will help you understand the principles of American democracy, the U.S. system of government and the important rights and responsibilities of US citizenship. This the booklet which accompanies the Naturalization Quiz. This contains Question 41-Question 57.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q13 to Q40 - EZ Civics Lessons



listenandreadalong: US Citizenship Study Booklet - Q13 to Q40 - EZ Civics Lessons

This is a lesson in United States Civics. This Reading Movie will help you understand the principles of American democracy, the U.S. system of government and the important rights and responsibilities of US citizenship. This the booklet which accompanies the Naturalization Quiz. This contains Question 13-Question 40.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Republicans Sweep US Midterm Elections



VOAVideo: Republicans Sweep US Midterm Elections

Republicans are celebrating after convincing election victories to recapture control of the U.S. Senate and widen their majority in the House of Representatives for the final two years of President Barack Obama's presidency. VOA's Chris Simkins has more on the midterm election results.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/republicans-sweep-us-midterm-elections/2509478.html