West Wing Week 9/30/11 or "Set Your Sights High"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 9/30/11 or "Set Your Sights High"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President announced reforms to No Child Left Behind, traveled to California to hold a town hall on job growth at LinkedIn, spoke on what the American Jobs Act could mean for America's schools and gave his third annual Back To School address. That's September 23rd to September 29th or "Set Your Sights High

Flag of the American Women Veterans

Flag Mosaic of American Women Veterans at The Steps-N-Stages Jubilee House
Please click the Flag to make it larger

wh.gov: Joining Forces With Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (video)

First Lady Michelle Obama travels to Fayetteville, North Carolina to join Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as they build a dream home for Barbara Marshall, a veteran, and her military family. This is what Joining Forces is all about, and because of everyone's hard work and her new home, Barbara Marshall is able to better serve her community but most of all inspire others to do the same.

POV: The Learning

POV | The Learning - Documentary Trailer - POV 2011 | PBS http://youtu.be/Lm9FnhJ17T4

You can watch the 90 min film of THE LEARNING at http://www.pbs.org/pov/learning/ til Oct 20

One hundred years ago, American teachers established the English-speaking public school system of the Philippines. Now, in a striking turnabout, American schools are recruiting Filipino teachers. The Learning is the story of four Filipina women who reluctantly leave their families and schools to teach in Baltimore. With their increased salaries, they hope to transform their families’ lives back in their impoverished country. But the women also bring idealistic visions of the teacher’s craft and of life in America, which soon collide with Baltimore’s tough realities. A co-production of CineDiaz and ITVS in association with The Center for Asian American Media, with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and American Documentary | POV. (90 minutes)

West Wing Week 09/23/11 or "It's Math"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 09/23/11 or "It's Math"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President signed patent reform into law with the America Invents Act, spoke to the American people on his common-sense proposal to deficit reduction,traveled to New York City to meet with world leaders and address the United Nations General Assembly before visiting Cincinnati to speak on jobs. That's September 16th to September 22nd or "It's Math."

American History: The Cold War

USCIS 100:83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

VOANews: American History: The Cold War

Tensions rose between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War Two THE MAKING OF A NATION (download mp3)

USCIS 100:83. During the Cold War, what was the main concern of the United States?

▪ Communism

WhiteHouse.gov/WeThePeople

USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*



WhiteHouse.gov/WeThePeople video: http://youtu.be/MdcotOjqnVI

We the People provides you with a new way to create and join petitions the federal government to take action on a range of issues. If a petition gets enough signatures, White House staff will review it, ensure it is sent to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response. This video is a walk through of how it works.

USCIS 100:06. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*

▪ petition the government! Now we can petition the government via www.WhiteHouse.gov/WeThePeople. Watch http://youtu.be/MdcotOjqnVI

Constitution Day 2011--Federal Observance Marks Signing of U.S. Constitution in 1787

SLATE V: Constitution Day 2011--Federal Observance Marks Signing of U.S. Constitution in 1787

Happy Constitution Day! The federal observance is trending but many are unsure about its specifics. Formerly known as Citizenship Day, the holiday marks the formal adoption of the U.S. Constitution and recognizes those who have become U.S. citizens. Itapos;s observed on Sept. 17? adjacent weekdays in case the day falls on a weekend as it does this year. Thatapos;s the date in 1787 when the Constitution was signed by 39 statesmen.

USCIS to Welcome More Than 27,000 New Citizens During Annual Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Celebration

A naturalization ceremony held at Arches National Park

USCIS.gov USCIS to Welcome More Than 27,000 New Citizens During Annual Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Celebration

WASHINGTON - In recognition of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on Sept. 17, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will welcome more than 27,000 new American citizens during 285 naturalization ceremonies held across the country and around the world during the week of Sept. 15. As part of this celebration, USCIS is again partnering with the National Park Service (NPS) to hold naturalization ceremonies at 14 national park sites across the country.(read more)

US Constitution and Citizenship Day 2011 at Milpitas Adult School

Photos of US Constitution and Citizenship Day 2011 at Milpitas Adult School http://flic.kr/s/aHsjw5eLT2

Happy US Constitution and Citizenship Day!

A Quick Interview for US Constitution & Citizenship Day

A new multiple choice quiz: 20 N-400 interview questions and 10 USCIS 100 questions about the US Constitution. Direct download: Const-Day-Quick-Interview.pdf

Here is yesterday's 4 page multiple choice quiz: Const-Day-Int-Quiz-2011.pdf

Constitution Week: Friday

NEW INTERVIEW/QUIZ: Twenty-seven N-400 & USCIS 100 Qs for US Constitution & Citizenship Day

Here is a two part, 4-page quiz: twenty-seven questions based on the N-400 interview PLUS twenty-seven USCIS 100 Qs reflecting the Preambles, Articles, and 27 amendments of the US Constitution. Direct download: Const-Day-Int-Quiz-2011.pdf

Photos from the "We Signed the Constitution" will be posted soon!

Constitution Week: Thursday

Today's Topic: The 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Amendments

After the Civil War, the 15th Amendment gave the right to vote to all male US Citizens.

However, some communities refused to allow certain minorities to vote.

Women could not vote until the 19th Amendment (1920).

The Chinese Exclusion Act which took away the right to vote from US native-born citizens of Asian ancestry was repealed in 1943.

Jim Crow laws in the Southern United States which strongly discouraged African-Americans to vote was repealed by the 24th Amendment, 1964 & the Voting Rights Act 1965.

The Nineteenth Amendment gave suffrage (the right to vote) to women.

VOANews: Susan B. Anthony, 1820-1906: She Led the Fight to Gain Equal Rights for Women, Including the Right to Vote

The nineteenth amendment to the U.S. Constitution won final approval in 1920 but she did not live to see it. Transcript of radio broadcast: 14 June 2008


24th Amendment made it illegal to make a citizen pay a voting fee. It is illegal to make a citizen take a reading test to vote. The 24th Amendment (1964) and the Civil Rights Movement led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. crushed Jim Crow laws which discriminated against African Americans.

VOANews: Civil Rights Movement: In the '60s, a Struggle for Equality in US: Activists marched, held sit-in protests and led "freedom rides" to demand better treatment of black Americans. Martin Luther King Junior lived by the idea of nonviolence, but his murder led to riots in more than 100 cities.


26th Amendment: US citizens who are 18 years old or older have the right to vote. 1971.

VOANews: Nixon Promises to 'Bring the American People Together' After '68 Win
Richard Nixon lost the 1960 election to John Kennedy, but he was known for his ability to fight, to lose, and to keep trying. Those skills would soon be tested.

• USCIS 100:48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.


• USCIS 100:48.49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*


• USCIS 100:48.50. Name one right only for United States citizens.


• USCIS 100:48.54. How old do citizens have to be to vote for President?*


• USCIS 100:48.55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?


• USCIS 100:48.77. What did Susan B. Anthony do?


• USCIS 100:48.84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?


• 85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

More activities from USCitzenPod:

• Here is a pdf of Voting Rights.


• Here is a pdf of Voting Cloze Essay.

Constitution Week: Wednesday

Today's Topic: The First Amendment

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition. Here is a (.pdf) or (.doc) of this webpage:The First Amendment.

Freedom of speech
A person can say or think anything they want.






Freedom of religion
A person can practice any religion or no religion. The government cannot establish a national religion.





Freedom of assembly
People can come together to have peaceful meetings, rallies, marches, or demonstrations.






Freedom of the press
A person can read, write, publish, or broadcast anything they want.







Right to petition
People can ask the government to change the law.






Here is a (.pdf) or (.doc) of this webpage:
The First Amendment.

Constitution Week: Tuesday

Today's Topic: The Preamble

The Premble lists the reasons that the 13 original colonies separated from their mother ountry, and became an independent nation.

We the People of the United States,

in Order to form a more perfect Union, good government

establish Justice, good laws

insure domestic Tranquility, peace in our homes

provide for the common defence, national security

promote the general Welfare, healthy communities

and secure the Blessings of Liberty freedom

to ourselves and our Posterity, children

do ordain and establish give power to

this Constitution the supreme law of the land

for the United States of America.

Here is class handout of the Preamble Puzzle pdf

Here is class handout of a Summary of the US Constitution.
Direct download: const-summary.pdf

Constitution Week: Monday

Here is a slide show of the US Constituion.

Constitution Day (or Citizenship Day) is an American federal holiday that recognizes the ratification of the United States Constitution. Citizenship Day also recognizes all who have become citizens due to either coming of age or naturalization. It is celebrated on September 17, the day the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution in 1787.

Before Constution Day, students study the US Constitution, focusing on the rights and responsibilites of American Citizenship. On Constitution Day, students sign a large copy of the Constitution and are given pocket-sized copies of the Constitution. Many Adult Schools honor the students who were naturalized as American citizen during the previous school year. The school also encourages the students who are preparing for naturalization during the upcoming school year.

For more info, see:

America Reads the Constitution
The National Constitution Center held the first “America Reads the Constitution” on September 17, 2004. A diverse group of people read the Constitution from start to finish, from “We the People” to the final words of the 27th Amendment. “America Reads the Constitution” pdf includes the words of the Constitution for 100 readers.

ELCivics.com: The US Constitution
Learn about the US Constituion with Pictures, Easy Lessons, and Fun Activities

ESLPOD English 92
LISTEN to the Preamble to the US Constitution.

The National Archives
On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. The National Archives and Records Administration celebrates this important day in our nation's history by presenting the following activities, lesson plans, and information. We encourage teachers and students at all levels to learn more about our Constitution and government.

National Constitution Center: Home
The National Constitution Center, located on Philadelphia's Independence Mall, is the worlds only museum devoted to the US Constitution.

NCC: We the People
Resources to help you celebrate Constitution Day – the birthday of your government – featuring over 200 activities, lessons, books, DVDs and more from over 30 different providers. Plan your Constitution Day celebration here!

US Citizenship Podcast
Check back every day for updated materials for Constitution Day. Ex: Constitution Quiz Based on the USCIS 100

9/11 10th Anniversary

USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on

September 11, 2001, in the United States?

VOAVideo: 9/11 10th Anniversary Special Report Part 1

Learn how the events of September 11, 2001 impacted the United States and the world in the decade since.

VOAVideo: 9/11 10th Anniversary Special Report Part 2

Learn how the events of September 11, 2001 impacted the United States and the world in the decade since.

Read more at VOANews: 9/11 10th Anniversay Special Report

USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

▪ Terrorists attacked the United States.

Words and Their Stories: Voices From 9-11 Tell Story of Fast-Moving Events

VOANews: Words and Their Stories: Voices From 9-11 Tell Story of Fast-Moving Events

A new report presents recordings of air controllers, military officials and hijackers as the attacks took place WORDS AND THEIR STORIES (download mp3)



USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?

▪ Terrorists attacked the United States.

USCIS 100:California!

Today is California Admissions Day.

I have created and uploaded a simple fact sheet about the State of California. I also included info about our local government officials for the students of Milpitas Adult School.

I uploaded this as a .doc file instead of .pdf so you can easily modify the .doc with the info/pictres of your own state and local officials. Have fun!

USCIS 100:20. Who is one of your state’s U.S. Senators now?*

USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.

USCIS 100:43. Who is the Governor of your state now?

USCIS 100:44. What is the capital of your state?*

West Wing Week: 9/9/11 or "American Jobs Act"

West Wing Week: 9/9/11 or "American Jobs Act"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President visited New Jersey communities recovering from Hurricane Irene, celebrated Labor Day in Detroit, welcomed NASCAR Champions to the White House, and unveiled the American Jobs Act before a Joint Session of Congress. That's September 2nd to September 8th or "American Jobs Act"

President Obama Presents American Jobs Act (Enhanced Version)

wh.gov: President Obama Presents American Jobs Act (Enhanced Version)

Shares plan to create jobs with joint session of Congress. September 8, 2011.

Read the Transcript

See the Enhanced Graphics

Get Ready for CA Admissions Day, 9/11, Constitution Day

I am currently working on resources for California Admissions Day, 9/11 and Constitution Day. Meanwhile, check out these 2010 posts.--Teacher Jennifer

• Happy California Admissions Day Sept 9, 2010


• VOANews Special Report 9/11--10 years later (new)


• Constitution Week 2010: Tuesday


• Constitution Week 2010: Wednesday


• Constitution Week 2010: Thursday


• Constitution Week 2010: Monday


• Constitution Day 2010: WE SIGNED THE CONSTITUTION!


• NEW for 2010 USCIS CITIZENSHIP RESOURCE CENTER*
  

WE THE PEOPLE: A Big Change Coming to WhiteHouse.Gov

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



wh.gov: WE THE PEOPLE: A Big Change Coming to WhiteHouse.Gov

We're changing the way Americans connect online with the White House - by launching a platform on WhiteHouse.gov/WeThePeople that creates a new way for you to join your voice with others to petition your government. If a petition gathers enough signatures, White House staff will review it, make sure it gets to the appropriate policy experts, and issue an official response.


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

Serving on a Jury

USCIS 100:49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*

ESL Podcast 718 – Serving on a Jury

This episode is, beyond a reasonable doubt, innocent of any wrongdoing. Listen to find out why. Download Podcast

USCIS 100:49. What is one responsibility that is only for United States citizens?*
▪ serve on a jury
▪ vote in a federal election

LABOR DAY!

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

Listen: Labor Day Special from US Citizenship Podcast
Read: Mr and Mrs Hsun's Labor Day pdf
USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

▪ New Year’s Day
▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
▪ Presidents’ Day
▪ Memorial Day
▪ Independence Day
▪ Labor Day
▪ Columbus Day
▪ Veterans Day
▪ Thanksgiving
▪ Christmas

US Congress Returns as President Calls for Action on Jobs

VOAVideo: US Congress Returns as President Calls for Action on Jobs

Members of the U.S. Congress are returning to work in Washington after their August recess, with the nationwide unemployment rate holding stubbornly at more than nine percent. President Barack Obama is set to address a joint session of Congress on Thursday to announce his new employment proposal.

Get Ready for Labor Day

VOANews: In US, a Labor Day Short of Celebration
Americans welcome Labor Day with high unemployment, fears of new recession

VOANews: US Companies, Labor Unions Struggle Over Politics Profits, Wages
Relations between workers and employers have been contentious in the United States this year

VOANews: 'Radium Girls' Remembered for Role in Shaping US Labor Law
Case of women who painted clock faces in small town in Midwest state of Illinois helped raise awareness to dangers of radium

West Wing Week 09/02/11 or "Dispatches: Asia"

WH.GOV: West Wing Week 09/02/11 or "Dispatches: Asia"

This week we are broadcasting dispatches from travel with Vice President Joe Biden through China, Mongolia and Japan.
In between meeting with world leaders, and speaking with locals the Vice President took in the sights, sounds and culture of the far east.
Join the Vice President as he opens new channels of communication with China gets to know Mongolian leaders and culture at a traditional Naadam festival and visits Japanese communities recovering from the March earthquake and tsunami before speaking to US troops in Tokyo and Hawaii. That's August 18th through the 25th or -- West Wing Week: Dispatches from Asia

West Wing Week 09/1/11 or "Goodnight, Irene"

WH.GOV: West Wing Week 09/1/11 or "Goodnight, Irene"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President led the federal response to Hurricane Irene, made a key nomination announcement, and addressed the American Legion's 93rd annual conference. That's August 26th to September 1st or "Goodnight, Irene."