Children's Citizenship Ceremony

 

IOWA PBS: Children's Citizenship Ceremony 

Abby Brown takes us to the MidAmerican Stage for a celebration of Iowa’s future.

Using AI Tools in Citizenship Preparation and Civics Education

Using AI Tools in Citizenship Preparation and Civics Education slides

2025 Spring CUE
Jennifer Gagliardi
jgagliardi@musd.org
March 21, 2025
Teaching U.S. Citizenship Preparation 2025
bit.ly/uscit-padlet
download the pdf

U.S. 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)

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.

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.

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)

updated 2025-03-15

Nanye'hi

No class today--see you on Wed March 26

 

Center for Civic Education: Nanye'hi

Nanye'hi was a Cherokee woman born in 1738. She was called the "War Woman of Chota" because she fought in battle alongside her husband, Tsu-la. After Tsu-la died in battle, Nanye'hi led the Cherokee to victory.

The Cherokee honored her as a "Beloved Woman," a special title that gave her influence and leadership. She led the Women’s Council and served on the Cherokee General Council. Unlike European American women at the time, Nanye'hi had a political voice.

Although she was strong in battle, Nanye'hi, also known as Nancy Ward, spent her life working for peace between the Cherokee and Americans. At a peace treaty meeting in 1781, she urged for lasting peace, saying, 

"You know that women are always looked upon as nothing; 

but we are your mothers; you are our sons.

Our cry is for peace; let it continue.

This peace must last forever.

Let your women's sons be ours; our sons be yours.

Let your women hear our words."

Her heartfelt words helped secure a rare treaty that did not take away Cherokee land.

(edited from the video's transcript)

POP QUIZ:

• USCIS 100: 59.  Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
• USCIS 100:87.  Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.

Learn more: 

• NY Historical Society: Life Story: Nanyehi Nancy Ward (1738–1822)
• PBS Learning Lab: Nanye’hi and the Power of Oral History (lesson plan)
• TN State Museum: Beloved Woman: The Life and Legacy of Nanye’hi (Nancy) Ward

Gideon v. Wainwright

March 18 is the anniversary of the important Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright (1963). 

The Court said that states must give a lawyer to people charged with serious crimes if they cannot afford one.

 

Bill of Rights Institute: Gideon v. Wainwright 

Does everyone have the right to a lawyer, no matter what crime they are accused of?  

In 1961, Clarence Gideon was arrested in Florida for breaking into a building and stealing. He asked for a lawyer, but Florida law only provided lawyers for people charged with serious crimes like murder. Gideon was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison. He believed this was unfair and claimed Florida had violated his 6th Amendment right to a lawyer.  

The Supreme Court agreed to hear his case, *Gideon v. Wainwright*. In a 9-0 decision, the Court ruled that the 6th Amendment’s right to a lawyer applies to all states through the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause. This decision ensured that everyone accused of a crime has the right to a lawyer, even for less serious crimes.

Learn more from the Bill of Rights Institute:

• Supreme Court Document Based Questions 
• Gideon v. Wainwright Viewing Guide 
• Gideon v. Wainwright Supreme Court 
• How Do Due Process Protections for the Accused Protect Us All  
• Due Process of Law Activity 
• Landmark Supreme Court Cases  

Other resources:

• ACLU: Gideon: Unfulfilled at 60
• Center for Civic Education: The Sixth Amendment
• Center for Civic Education: Amendments to the Constitution playlist
• iCivics: The Right to a Fair Trial - Teaching the Sixth and Seventh Amendments
• iCivics: The Constitution Explained playlist
• iCivics: You've Got Rights! lesson plan
• VOA Learning English: What Happens If You Are Arrested in the US

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 (03/15/2025)

• archives.gov: Irish American Heritage Month page
• census.gov: Irish-American Heritage Month and St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts 2025 factsheet
• defense.gov: Sláinte! Celebrating the Irish Brigade’s Contributions to America post
• Jennifer ESL: St. Patrick's Day 2021 ☘️ English Vocabulary with "GREEN" video
• loc.gov: Irish American Heritage page
• National Geographic: Why Do We Celebrate St. Patrick's Day? video

Knoxville naturalization ceremonies welcome America’s newest citizens

WATE 6: Knoxville naturalization ceremonies welcome America’s newest citizens 

 It was standing room only inside the United States Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee on Tuesday as nearly 80 people from 39 different countries took the oath for American citizenship.

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
• Judicial Branch (beginning)
• Judicial Branch (intermediate)
• VOA News and VOA Learning English: 
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg: An Appreciation video
• 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
• VOX
• How a case gets to the US Supreme Court video