Sunday, September 30, 2018

Happy International Podcast Day



uscitizenpod: Happy International Podcast Day

Happy International Podcast Day from US Citizenship Podcast!
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Podcasting !
Celebrating Freedom---Powered by Libsyn

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast 

Saturday, September 29, 2018

What's Ahead for US Supreme Court as It Starts New Term



VOANews: What's Ahead for US Supreme Court as It Starts New Term

With Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hanging in the balance, bench with eight ideologically divided justices readies to take on big cases.

Also watch: Personal and Political Debates Collide in Emotional US Supreme Court Fight and more on the  VOA News YouTube channel

If you want to learn more about the US Supreme Court, check out these resources:

si.edu: Preparing for the Oath: The Judiciary (videos)

VOA Learning English: The Rise of the US Supreme Court (article and audio)

VOA Learning English: How the Supreme Court Makes Decisions (article and audio)

VOA Learning English: 8 Important Supreme Court Cases (all articles, videos, and audio here)
  1. Lemon v Kurtzman (separation between church and state) article
  2. Loving v Virginia (marriage between people of two different races) article
  3. Miranda v Arizona (rights of people under arrest) article
  4. New York Times v. Sullivan (freedom of the press/libel) article
  5. Brown v. Board of Education (school desegregation) article
  6. Obergefell v Hodges (gay rights) article
  7. Johnson v Texas (freedom of speech/burning the flag) article
  8. Roe v Wade (right to privacy/abortion) article
US Courts YouTube Channel
Videos from the Federal Judiciary, connecting you with the United States Courts in fresh ways that we hope will inform, motivate and inspire. Includes videos about Constitution and Citizenship Day and Naturalization Oath Ceremonies!

Friday, September 28, 2018

What Goes into a Political Poll?



VOANews: What Goes into a Political Poll?

Want to predict an election's outcome? That's impossible. But a scientific opinion survey can give a pretty good indication of candidate support.

Also see:

VOANews: Kavanaugh, Accuser Face Off in Dramatic Hearing

Thursday, September 27, 2018

U.S. Citizenship Class 11, Fall 2018, Milpitas Adult School

MAE Citizenship class in front of the MAE Community Flag

N-400
  1. n-400r-12i   Deportation
  2. n-400r-12j   Military Service
  3. C-1 Mix and Match Citizenship Interview
Civics
Integration
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz with Antonio Vazquez Gonzalez pdf

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Why America needs automatic voter registration



Vox: Why America needs automatic voter registration

  • A simple fix to get more Americans to vote.


Some more resources from uscitizenpod:

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

U.S. Citizenship Class 10, Fall 2018, Milpitas Adult School

National Voter Registration Day is a holiday celebrated on the fourth Tuesday of every September. It's goal is to focus attention on the importance of registering to vote.

Also check out Teaching Tolerance: Register Voters

N-400
  1. n-400r-12g   Criminal Records
  2. n-400r-12h   Crime
  3. B-5 Easy Citizenship Interview
Civics
U.S. History Since 1900
The U.S. History Since 1900 lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 11, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, and 86.










Integration
  • Yésica Sánchez: A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about Voting and Elections pdf

Monday, September 24, 2018

Seven-year-old pleases Zlatan with anthem performance



VOANews: Seven-year-old pleases Zlatan with anthem performance

Seven-year-old Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja did a magnificent rendition of the U.S. national anthem on Sunday (23 September), prior to the LA Galaxy's 3-nil victory over the Seattle Sounders. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who seemed particularly impressed with the young lady's performance, went on to score the first of the Galaxy's three goals with a successful penalty in the ninth minute.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

2018 Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony



National Archives: 2018 Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony

At the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC
September 17, 2018

Presiding: The Honorable Beryl A. Howell - Chief Judge U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Opening of Court: Bryant W. Johnson, Records Specialist U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Presentation of Colors: Armed Forces Color Guard

Recognition by the Court: Sherryl Horn, Public Operations Administrator U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Oath of Allegiance: The Honorable Beryl A. Howell

Pledge of Allegiance: Sherryl Horn

Preamble of the U.S. Constitution: Alice Deal Middle School District of Columbia Public Schools

Welcome Remarks: The Honorable David S. Ferriero, Archivist of the United States

Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Caroline Kennedy, Former Ambassador of the United States to Japan

Closing Remarks: The Honorable Beryl A. Howell

Closing Court: Bryant W. Johnson

Saturday, September 22, 2018

USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools App



USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools App

USCIS: Civics Test Study Tools is an official application of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), designed to help you study for the civics test portion of the naturalization interview.

Also subscribe to USCIS and USCIS Espanol on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Friday, September 21, 2018

Constitution and Citizenship Week Interview



uscitizenpod: Constitution and Citizenship Week Interview

Happy Constitution and Citizenship Week! Tonight, we invited our friends, family, and community members to visit our school. Patricia from ESL 6 (who is helping translate my Mix-and-Match interviews into Spanish for Hispanic Heritage Month) interviews me for students from ESL 3.

Thursday, September 20, 2018

U.S. Citizenship Class 09, Fall 2018, Milpitas Adult School

Constitution Week 2018

Pictures from Milpitas Adult School's Constitution Day

N-400
  1. n-400r-12d   Group Violence
  2. n-400r-12e   Work in a Prison
  3. n-400r-12f   Gangs, Weapons, Child Soldiers
  4. B-4 Mix and Match Citizenship Interview
Civics
Intermediate Level U.S. History in the 1800s
The U.S. History in the 1800s lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 60, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76.









Integration

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Constitution and Citizenship Week: Back to School Night!


Happy Constitution and Citizenship Week from Milpitas Adult School! 

Find more great Happy Constitution and Citizenship Week at http://www.uscitizenpod.com/2018/09/citizenship-resources-for-constitution.html

Check back for more updates!

Monday, September 17, 2018

Citizenship Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Day (September 17)



uscitizenpod: The U.S. Constitution

A basic introduction to the Constitution for ESL/Citizenship students. This video is based upon a ppt that I made in 2005 and modified in 2008. 



ListenAndReadAlong is an AWESOME resource that produces videos that highlights words as they are heard from VOA news reports and features.
National Constitution Center: Constitution Day - Lesson Plans and Activities

si.edu: Preparing for The Oath

USCIS: 

USScourts: U.S. Courts: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Live Coverage (video)
Live coverage of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, and Ellis Island in New York, NY, begins at 10:45 a.m. ET on 9/16. Watch new American citizens take the oath of allegiance at naturalization ceremonies.  Hint: This video is 1 hour 40 minutes.  It is very inspirational, but a bit too long for class.  Check out the US Courts' 40 seconds preview here.

VOA Learning English: What's So Important about Sept. 17?

Thanks for studying the U.S. Constitution--I know that you will be a great American citizen!

Check back for updates!

Saturday, September 15, 2018

And the Pursuit of Happiness

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Energized and inspired by the 2008 elections, celebrated illustrator Maira Kalman traveled to Washington, D.C., launching a year-long investigation of American democracy and its workings. The result is an artist’s idiosyncratic vision of history and contemporary politics. (source: Amazon)

These chapters originally appeared in a NY Times monthly blog and have been collected into her book, And the Pursuit of Happiness

Pursuit of Happiness Blog: Maira Kalman 

An Inauguration At Last
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/the-inauguration-at-last/

In Love with A. Lincoln
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/in-love-with-a-lincoln/

So Moved
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/26/so-moved/

May It Please the Court
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/23/may-it-please-the-court/

At Ease
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/at-ease/

Time Wastes Too Fast
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/25/time-wastes-too-fast/

Can Do
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/can-do/

I Lift My Lamp Besides the Golden Door
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/27/i-lift-my-lamp-beside-the-golden-door/

For Goodness Sake
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/24/for-goodness-sake/

E Pluribus Unum
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/e-pluribus-unum/

Back to the Land
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/back-to-the-land/

By George
https://kalman.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/by-george/ 

Friday, September 14, 2018

Min Hui Liu Talks about her U.S. Citizenship Interview



uscitizenpod: Min Hui Liu Talks about her U.S. Citizenship Interview

Next week is Constitution and Citizenship Week during which students young and old study and sign the Constitution, affirming their commitment to uphold the principles and laws of the United States. USCIS and federal judges co-host special Oath Ceremonies in honor of the signing of Constitution on Sept 17, 1787.

Today we will listen to our second interview with Min Hui Liu, who passed her citizenship interview on Sept 11, and has been invited to take her Oath of Naturalization during one of these special events. First you will hear a short interview and civics questions, followed by a report-back from her interview, and her plans to help prepare her husband and coworkers for their citizenship interviews. Let's get started!

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

News Words: Vulnerable



VOA Learning English: Vulnerable

The Trump administration’s new policy called for the arrest of migrants who came into the U.S. illegally. Families were separated during legal proceedings. Doctors say young children are the most vulnerable to health problems from family separations.

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

U.S. Citizenship Class 07, Fall 2018, Milpitas Adult School



9/11 stories
N-400
  • Ready for the Interview by Lynn Weintraub (Work)
  • n-400r-12a   General Info
Civics
Integration
  • Lan Thi Nguyen (Vietnam): Constitution and Citizenship Week Interview Quiz 2015 pdf

Monday, September 10, 2018

Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year)


L'shana tova tikatevu! 
Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Rosh Hashanah http://goo.gl/orhlZR

Also see:

HIAS (founded as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) is an American nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to refugees.

HIAS was founded in response to the late 19th- and early 20th-century exodus of Jewish emigrants from Imperial Russia. Currently, HIAS works with people whose lives and freedom are believed to be at risk due to war, persecution, or violence. HIAS has offices in the United States and across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Since its inception, HIAS has helped resettle more than 4.5 million people. (Source: Wikipedia)



Sunday, September 9, 2018

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Can the Undocumented 'Earn' Citizenship?



The Atlantic: Can the Undocumented 'Earn' Citizenship?

“I'm here as an undocumented immigrant with no papers, no green card, no passport, and no legal documents, but I am still a citizen of this country,” says Jose Antonio Vargas in a new video filmed at the 2018 Aspen Ideas Festival.

Vargas, an accomplished journalist whose work has garnered him a Pulitzer Prize, was smuggled into the U.S. at age 12 by his Filipino mother. Although he was raised by his grandparents, who were naturalized citizens, Vargas was never granted American citizenship. In a 2011 essay in The New York Times Magazine, Vargas revealed his status as undocumented. Ever since, he has been a vocal advocate for pathways to citizenship, such as the DREAM Act.

“There's no process for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants like me to get legal,” Vargas says in the video. He goes on to explain why the concept of “earning” citizenship is problematic.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

U.S. Citizenship Class 06, Fall 2018, Milpitas Adult School



N-400
Civics
Integration
  • A Quick Interview for US Constitution and Citizenship Day 2014 based on the new N-400r pdf

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

U.S. Citizenship Interview with Officer David Part 2



uscitizenpod: U.S. Citizenship Interview with Officer David Part 2



Before we begin, we would like to note that the Senate is discussing the nomination for the next Supreme Court justice. Please follow the debate and vote on VOANews.com. You can also use the Countable app to contact your Senators and make your opinion known about this issue and other upcoming legislation.

Today we will listen to our second interview with Officer David. You can download the Basic Citizenship Interview at uscitizenpod.com and practice with a classmate, friend, or family member.

A Basic Citizenship Interview based on the USCIS Revised N-400 (2pgs, 38 qs)


CHECK BACK FOR UPDATED CLOSED CAPTIONS!

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast:

US Citizenship Podcast Show website https://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/

US Citizenship Podcast Daily blog: https://www.uscitizenpod.com/

Our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/uscitizenpod

Order "US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview" by Jennifer Gagliardi from Amazon.com or ESLPublishing.com

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

U.S. Citizenship Class 05, Fall 2018, Milpitas Adult School


N-400
Civics
Integration
  • Nithya Deepak: Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs for Independence pdf

Homework

VOANews: America's Birthplace: Independence National Historical Park (read and listen to the story)





Benjamin Franklin
The Establishing Independence lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 8, 9, 61, 62, 63, 64, 69, 70, and 99.