Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29

 
 

President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden paid their respects to Vietnam Veterans on Monday at the memorial in Washington. The Bidens laid flowers by the wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, paused for moment of silence and also took time to take an impression of names printed on the wall. 

March 29th is Vietnam War Veterans Day, and it is observed annually. In 2012, President Barack Obama signed the proclamation creating the annual day of observance, and the proclamation marks January 12, 1962, as the starting point of the war. 

uscitizenpod:

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Citizenship Spring Class 03

 
 

Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT
For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 
Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

N-400

Civics

Integration

Monday, March 29, 2021

Citizenship Resources for Cesar Chavez Day

On the last Monday of March, schools in California, Texas, and Colorado observe Cesar Chavez Day.

]

uscitizenpod: Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta

Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta started the United Farm Workers union, because farm workers did not have

"the legal right to organize and to vote for collective bargaining. They didn't have the right to have clean drinking water, access to portable toilets, lunch breaks, or short rest breaks during workdays. And they were not entitled to the minimum wage or unemployment insurance."

USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
  • freedom of expression
  • freedom of speech
  • freedom of assembly
  • freedom to petition the government
  • freedom of worship
  • the right to bear arms
Listen:


Family Fun:


NEW (Jan 2019) New Readers Press: Field of Vision - Novel 
Scenes Reader, Low-Intermediate Level by Ana Gianola

Rafael is a farmworker foreman who takes pride in his work. After putting off eye surgery, an emergency in the field changes everything. Teacher Guide

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Passover Haggadahs Celebrating our Immigrant Nation and a Citizenship POP Quiz

Lady Liberty Opening the gate to a immigrant Jewish family. Source.

The United States is a Nation of Immigrants.  Each immigrant group brings it unique story.

Passover (Pesach) is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the emancipation of the Jews from slavery in ancient Egypt.


The Haggadah is a Jewish text that is read every year during the Passover meal (Seder).  


Here are  four haggadahs which remember that the Jews were once refugees, too, and are obligated to seek justice for "the Stranger."


ADL: FOUR QUESTIONS: SEEKING IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE JUSTICE ON PASSOVER A Haggadah Supplement
This Passover, let us all embrace the lessons of this holiday’s story and extend a hand of friendship to our immigrant and refugee neighbors and advocate for their rights. 

AWJS: Next Year in a Just World
This year, put social justice on your Seder table. Use the AJWS Global Justice Haggadah to spark meaningful conversations at your Seder — and connect our shared story of liberation with people fighting for freedom around the world today.

HIAS: Passover Resources
Explore the connections between the ancient Passover story and today's refugees The HIAS Haggadah In Every Generation See Yourself As Though You Left Egypt offers a deeper exploration of the global refugee crisis. While you are on the HIAS website, check out their N-400 translations in 7 languages!



Vice President Harris Participates in the White House's Virtual Passover Celebration with Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff



Also see:

VOANews: New York Mosque Hosts Passover Celebrations


POP QUIZ


100:03. The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?


100:09. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?


100:10. What is freedom of religion?


100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?


100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?


100:58. What is one reason colonists came to America?


100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?


100:84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?


100:95. Where is the Statue of Liberty?*


100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.


updated 2023-04-01

Friday, March 26, 2021

Biden Faces Tough Questions on Immigration, Foreign Policy

 
 
 
In his first formal news conference Thursday, President Joe Biden faced tough questioning about the surge of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border and announced that the United States will not meet its May 1 deadline to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. White House Correspondent

Watch the full press Conference: President Biden Holds a Formal Press Conference

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Citizenship Spring Class 02

 

uscitizenpod: Do Van Nguyen

Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT
For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 
Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

N-400
Civics
Integration
  • Thanksgiving N-400 Interview (2016) pdf and mp3 
  • A US Citizenship Quiz about the History of Thanksgiving (2018)  pdf
Extra Credit
  • A Citizenship Quiz for Thanksgiving (2015) pdf and mp3

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Changes to US Immigration Policy Triggers Migrant Inflow

 
 
 
Since the deactivation of the Trump administration’s Migrant Protection Protocol Program, also known as the 'Remain in Mexico' policy, thousands of asylum seekers have been able to enter the U.S. to present their cases. Meantime, thousands of others have arrived at the border also hoping to gain entry #USMigrantEntry

Organizations:

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Citizenship Spring Class 01


Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT
For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 
Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

Warm-up
  • read and write pdf
  • si.edu: Preparing for the Oath quiz
  • Cambridge Ventures Arcade: Citizenship Preparing for the N-400 pdf

Preparing for Naturalization
N-400
Civics
Integration
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz for Hushang Ansary pdf

Monday, March 22, 2021

Biden Denounces Attacks on Asian Americans

 
 
 
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris meet with Asian American community leaders in Atlanta following mass shooting

N-400 section interviews about Hate Crimes 

Saturday, March 20, 2021

Citizenship Resources in Honor of Nowruz






Practice Citizenship Interviews with Farsi-Speaking Americans

uscitizenpod: Citizenship Interview Quiz for Presidents’ Week 2017: Hushang Ansary (Iran) (pdf)
A citizenship multiple-choice quiz based on the N-400 Application for Naturalization plus 10 civics questions.

uscitizenpod: 2016 Spring Citizenship Interview with Ali Akbari (Iran/Malaysia) (mp3)
A practice citizenship interview recorded in honor of Persian New Year (2016)

uscitizenpod: A Basic Citizenship Interview with Pari Akibari (Esfahan, Iran) (mp3) (video)
A practice citizenship interview recorded in 2007. Note: N-400 Part 10 is now N-400 Part 12 and the Civics questions are obsolete (ex: George W Bush was the current president in 2007).

uscitizenpod: Citizenship Interview with Osman Nejat (Kabul, Afghanistan) (mp3) (video)
A short citizenship interview with "examiner" with Osman Nejat (Kabul, Afghanistan), the Citizenship and GED/HiSET teacher from New Haven Adult School.  After the interview, Teacher Osman reflects on being bi-lingual and bi-cultural in America.

uscitizenpod: New US Citizen Sardar Habibi's report-back in Farsi  video
Milpitas Adult School student, Sardar Habibi (formerly of Afghanistan) talks about his US Citizenship Interview on Thursday, March 7, 2011. (Also in English)

More ESL/Civics Resources in English and Farsi

ACLU: Immigrants' Rights: What To Do If Stopped (IN FARSI) (video)

ACLU: What To Do When Faced With Anti-Muslim Discrimination (in Farsi) (video)

CA DMV: California Driver Handbook (pdf)

CLINIC: 100 Civics Questions in Farsi (pdf)

ESL Library: Nauruz (Norooz) Festival (article)
In this lesson, students read about the Persian New Year's festival (New Day). They learn about the ceremonial table, and create their own in small groups. Students also learn idioms related to nature. Note: A number of different English spellings are used for this holiday. The UN recognizes March 21 as the International Day of Nowruz

John Q. Khosravi Law Firm (JQK Law Firm): Naturalization for Iranians (Farsi/Persian) سیتیزنشیپ وتابعیت امریکا برای ایرانیان (video)
More Citizenship and Immigration videos in English and Farsi at John Q. Khosravi Law Firm (JQK Law Firm) (YouTube channel)

K-vonComedy: Famous Comedian Explains PERSIAN NEW YEAR Perfectly (K-von on Nowruz) (video)
Want to learn about a new holiday? Persian New Year is in March.  K-von breaks it down in this video w/ fun animation.  Check out K-von on YouTube (especially his Cleaning for Nowruz videos and his trailer for the Nowruz movie) and his TEDx Talk.

LastLY: Nowruz 2021: Date, Significance, Celebrations Associated With The Persian New Year Or Navroze video
Nowruz, also called Navriz, Navroz, Novruz, Nooruz, Nevruz & Nauryz, is a Persian word where 'Now' means 'new' and 'Ruz' means ‘day’. Hence, Nowruz signifies a new day. Nowruz is the Iranian New Year celebrated by the ethnic Iranian people. In India, the Parsi community celebrate Nowruz with full fervour. This year, it falls on Saturday, March 20. Nowruz holds great significance in the Iranian community. It is marked as the day King Jamshid was crowned as the King of Persia. People purchase new clothes and visit family and friends on this day. Nowruz is usually celebrated in the evening by performing certain rituals such as jumping over bonfires and lighting firecrackers. The celebrations also include family coming around the Haft sin table awaiting the moment of March equinox. Haft seen, also called Haft-seen (Persian For “Seven S’s”), is an arrangement of seven foods whose name start with 's' in Persian.

MedicinePlus: Health Information in Farsi (فارسی) (web page)

Must See Iran 
FB page that introduces Iran's cultural, historical, and natural tourist attractions.  Many good Nowruz videos in English and Farsi.

PARS Equality Center
Pprovides free or low-cost legal immigration services to qualified individuals.  We provide community members with integration support by offering immigration education, representation and advocacy.

Quartz: Nowruz: How millions celebrate the Persian New Year (video)
During Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebration, each vibrant item on the haftseen table has its own symbolic meaning.

SSA: Social Security Resources in Farsi (web page)

Sahar Zand: What is Nowruz? How to celebrate Persian New Year
BBC Persian's Sahar Zand visited Little Persia in London to explain how her family celebrate the Persian New Year.

Share America: Online Nowruz connects Americans to the world
In the U.S., museums and cultural centers host Nowruz festivities. This year, because of the pandemic, they will reach out through the internet.


TEDx Talks: Iran from a Different Lens | Maryam Ghadiri | TEDxPurdueU (video)
When only one side of a story is told, the truth can be blurred or completely disjointed. When Maryam arrived in the U.S. she encountered stereotypes and predisposed opinions causing her to hide her own identity as Iranian. She now describes how she rekindled the pride she once had for her motherland, Iran, through curating a photo exhibit that celebrates Iran's rich culture, diversity and beauty.

USIP: Iran Primer: Nowruz: Traditions for Persian New Year (article)
Ironically, the most widely celebrated holiday in the Islamic Republic of Iran long predates the official religion. Nowruz, literally “New Day” in Farsi, marks the first day of spring and the Persian New Year. The holiday, which falls on March 20 this year, is widely celebrated across the Middle East and Central Asia.

VA Health: Public Health Info in Farsi (webpage)

VOANews: New in Farsi (web page)
News in Farsi from the Voice of America

VOANews: Iranian-Americans Nurture New Generations After Revolution (2019) (article)
Sharifan and others from her generation seek to build a connection to their Iranian heritage and culture among their American children and grandchildren.

VOANews: Iranians Prepare For Traditional New Year Celebrations (video)
Iranians around the world are preparing to celebrate their traditional new year, Nowruz, which falls on Thursday. The ancient tradition is also celebrated by Kurds and marks the arrival of spring. Zlatica Hoke reports.

VOANews: Iraq Norwuz (video)
It's time for celebration in Iraq. Men and women rang in a new year, as millions of Kurdish people celebrated Nowruz. The celebration falls on the first day of spring, symbolizing the passing of the dark season and the arrival of the season of light. 

VOANews: Kurds Celebrate 'Nawroz' - New Years (video)
Kurdish residents of the northern Syrian city of Kobani are marking the New Year festival Nawroz. Celebrations were held along the border with Turkey, where many of Kobani's citizens fled when the city came under attack by Islamic State militants. Video by VOA Kurdish service reporter Mahmoud Bali.

Northern California's 'Little Kabul' a Cultural Hub to One of America's Largest Afghan Communities video
Alameda County in California, known as a retreat for hippies four decades ago, has become home to one of the largest Afghan American communities in America.  VOA's Saba Shah Khan takes us to one area known as "Little Kabul," now a cultural hub for the Bay Area's rapidly growing Afghan American population.

VOA Learning English: Once a US Soldier, Iranian Immigrant Now Serves Veterans (article, mp3, video)
Assal Ravandi knows service. First, as a soldier in the United States Army in Afghanistan. Now, as a soldier for soldiers at the organization she founded: Academy of United States Veterans. Read, listen to, and watch more great stories from VOA Learning English series: People in America

VOA Learning English: Mahsa, English Teacher in Iran, Talks About Spending Nowruz With Family (video of Skype interview)
Avi Arditti from VOA Learning English and Mehrnaz Sami from VOA's Persian Service (and an English teacher) talk to a Skype caller about the Persian New Year (2013)

VOA Learning Engish: Mohsen, Engineering Student in Iran, Talks About Nowruz (video of Skype interview)
Avi Arditti from VOA Learning English and Mehrnaz Sami from VOA's Persian Service (and an English teacher) talk to a Skype caller about the Persian New Year

VOA Learning English: Vernal Equinox: The Arrival of Spring (article)
An overview of many holidays associated with the Vernal Equinox (the Arrival of Spring) including Nowruz.

Vox: Persian New Year, or Nowruz, explained for non-Persians (article)

wh.gov: Statement from President Biden Marking Nowruz 2021 (statement) (video)

Friday, March 19, 2021

The Status of Women Is the Status of Democracy

 
 

POP Quiz: 

USCIS 100:29. What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now?

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

USCIS 100:80. Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

USCIS 100:09. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

USCIS 100:77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?

USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?


Learn more:






Thursday, March 18, 2021

Citizenship Winter Class 18

 


Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT
For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 
Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

Warm-up
  • read and write pdf
  • si.edu: Preparing for the Oath quiz
  • Cambridge Ventures Arcade: Citizenship Preparing for the N-400 website
  • USA Learns Citizenship website
N-400
Civics
Integration

    Wednesday, March 17, 2021

    A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of St Patrick's Day and Irish-American Heritage Month



    A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of St Patrick's Day and Irish-American Heritage Month mp3 / pdf (10 Questions)

    03. From 1820 to 1860, almost 2 million Irish immigrants came to America to escape "The Great Hunger." What is one reason colonists came to America?

    Q4: The "Know-Nothings" (1850s) was a group of native-born Americans which tried to stop Irish immigration.  The "Know-Nothings" thought that the Irish were “alien” and would not support US democracy because of their Catholic religion.  The "Know-Nothings" became too violent and failed. The Irish persevered and overcame discrimination and exploitation.  100 years later, what movement tried to end racial discrimination?

    Learn more (updates (03/17/2022)
    • wh.gov: A Proclamation on Irish-American Heritage Month, 2022 proclamation
    • archives.gov: Irish American Heritage Month page
    • census.gov: Irish-American Heritage Month and St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts factsheet
    • defense.gov: Sláinte! Celebrating the Irish Brigade’s Contributions to America post
    • JenniferESL: St. Patrick's Day 2021 ☘️ English Vocabulary with "GREEN" video
    • loc.gov: Irish American Heritage Month page
    • National Geographic: Why Do We Celebrate St. Patrick's Day? video

    Tuesday, March 16, 2021

    Citizenship Winter Class 17

     



    Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT
    For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

    Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 
    Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

    Warm-up
    • read and write pdf
    • si.edu: Preparing for the Oath quiz
    • Cambridge Ventures Arcade: Citizenship Preparing for the N-400 website
    • USA Learns Citizenship website
    N-400
    Civics
    Integration
    • A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about the Branches of Gov’t Part 3 pdf 
    • Women in the Judicial Branch pdf
    • Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the Judicial Branch new video!

      Monday, March 15, 2021

      Ruth Bader Ginsburg

      On March 15, 1933. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born in New York City.
      She served as a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1993 until her death in September 18, 2020. 
       Today we celebrate her life and legacy.
       
      The Four Justices, a tribute to the four female justices who have served on the U.S. Supreme Court.  
      Sitting: Justices Sandra Day O'Connor (ret.), Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Standing: Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan



      Women in the Judicial Branch
      • Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the Judicial Branch new video!
      • A citizenship quiz that celebrates Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her Sisters in Law and Justice pdf and mp3
      More Resources
      • ESL Library: 
        • Ruth Bader Ginsburg pdf
        • The Supreme Court pdf
      • NY Times
        • Remembering Ruth Bader Ginsburg video
      • She Knows
        • Ruth Bader Ginsburg Printable Coloring Book (9 images)
      • si.edu
        • Preparing the Oath: The Court videos
      • TED-ed
        • How do US Supreme Court justices get appointed? - Peter Paccone video
      • US Courts
        • 2016 Constitution Day & Citizenship Day: Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor Remarks video
        • Pathways to the Bench: U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen video
        • Pathways to the Bench: Magistrate Judge Maria Valdez video
        • Pathways to the Bench Play list videos
      • USCIS
      • VOA News and VOA Learning English: 
        • How Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Made US History  video
        • Ruth Bader Ginsburg: An Appreciation video
        • Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies at 87 article
        • Supreme Court Justice Continues Equality Fight: Ruth Bader Ginsburg video
        • The Supreme Court series (EXCELLENT!)
        • US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies at 87 article and audio
        • Washington Mural Pays Tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg video
        • VOA News Coverage of the Supreme Court Vacancy section
      • VOX
        • How a case gets to the US Supreme Court video

      Sunday, March 14, 2021

      New U.S. citizens take oaths at socially-distanced ceremony

       
       
       
      Colorado's newest American citizens celebrated their citizenship differently than in years past at a small, socially-distanced ceremony.

      Saturday, March 13, 2021

      Biden Marks a Year of COVID-19

       
       
       
      In his first prime-time address, the US president reflects on 529,000 American deaths and the challenges still ahead

      Also watch:

      VOANews: Portrait Series Honors US Healthcare Workers 
       
      After the pandemic began, COVID medical workers became modern-day heroes. A New York City artist created a portrait series to honor them.

      Friday, March 12, 2021

      US Immigration Policy Changes Spark Hope and Worry


      VOANews: US Immigration Policy Changes Spark Hope and Worry 
       
      As asylum-seekers enter the US hoping for a safer life, some US residents worry about a drain on already stretched resources #asylumseeker

      Also watch:

       
      Aid groups say the number of migrants gathering at the US-Mexico border hoping to apply for asylum or refugee status has been steadily increasing since the Biden Administration took office.

      Thursday, March 11, 2021

      Citizenship Winter Class 16

       


      uscitizenpod: Linh's Interview

      Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT
      For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

      Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 
      Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

      Warm-up
      • read and write pdf
      • si.edu: Preparing for the Oath quiz
      • Cambridge Ventures Arcade: Citizenship Preparing for the N-400 website
      • USA Learns Citizenship website
      N-400
      Civics

      Integration
      • Women in the Executive Branch mp3 / pdf 
      • A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about the Branches of Gov’t Part 2 pdf

        Wednesday, March 10, 2021

        Harriet Tubman Day

        Harriet Tubman Day is an American holiday in honor of the anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman, observed on March 10 in the whole country, and in the U.S. state of New York. Observances also occur locally around the U.S. state of Maryland.
         


        TED-ED: The breathtaking courage of Harriet Tubman - Janell Hobson

        Take a closer look at the life of escaped slave and American icon Harriet Tubman, who liberated over 700 enslaved people using the Underground Railroad.

        Escaping slavery; risking everything to save her family; leading a military raid; championing the cause of women’s suffrage; these are just a handful of the accomplishments of one of America’s most courageous heroes. Janell Hobson details Harriet Tubman's many fights for freedom.

        Lesson by Janell Hobson, directed by Yan Dan Wong.

        POP Quiz

        60. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?

        92. Name one state that borders Canada.

        73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.

        74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.

        76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

        48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

        77. What did Susan B. Anthony and Harriet Tubman do?

        55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

        Learn more:

        Tuesday, March 9, 2021

        Citizenship Winter Class 15

         



        Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT
        For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

        Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 
        Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

        Warm-up
        • read and write pdf
        • si.edu: Preparing for the Oath quiz
        • Cambridge Ventures Arcade: Citizenship Preparing for the N-400 website
        • USA Learns Citizenship website
        N-400
        Civics

        Integration
        • Women in the Legislative Branch Quiz