California Immigrants Become Politically Active

VOAVideo: California Immigrants Become Politically Active

American cities attract immigrants from around the world, and they bring changes to their new neighborhoods. VOA's Mike O'Sullivan reports that newcomers from Asia and Latin America have brought an international flavor to the San Gabriel Valley, east of Los Angeles, where they now make up most of the population, and some residents have been prompted to become politically active.

I support Immigration Reform!

Read the story behind Sean Holton's: My Immigration Reform T-shirts

See more photos at my tumblr: Long May She Wave!

West Wing Week 09/28/12 or "A Common Heartbeat to Humanity"

wh.gov: West Wing Week 09/28/12 or "A Common Heartbeat to Humanity"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the First Lady spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Dinner, We the People turned one-year old, and the President addressed the UN General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative.

WE SIGNED THE CONSTITUTION!

WE SIGNED THE CONSTITUTION!

In honor of Constitution and Citizenship Day, the students of Milpitas Adult School studied the Constitution, decorated our classrooms, and signed the Constitution. We even had cake--YUM!

Students received a pictorial representation of the articles and amendments of the Constitution--most of the class photos were taken in front of the large version of the pictorial Constitution. The students also received the USCIS 100Qs, the "Wallet Interview", a USA map, and CA fact sheet. You can download the handouts at USCitizenPod.com. Study up, and become a US Citizen!

Community Leaders Anticipate High Arab-American Voter Turnout

VOAVideo: Community Leaders Anticipate High Arab-American Voter Turnout

Arab-Americans make up roughly 0.5 percent of voters who will cast a ballot in the November general election in the United States. But as VOA's Kane Farabaugh reports from Dearborn, Michigan - home to the largest Arab-American community in the United States - despite those numbers, their influence is growing, and Arab-American community leaders expect record voter turnout in November.

Presidential Debates Meant to Persuade Undecided Voters

VOAVideo: Presidential Debates Meant to Persuade Undecided Voters

Debates between the major political parties' nominated presidential candidates have become a pre-election fixture in the United States. In this segment of "How America Elects," VOA's Jeffrey Young looks at the impact of these debates as Election Day in November approaches. (read the full story)

After Long Fight, DC Wins Right to a Statue in the Capitol Building

VOA Learning English News: After Long Fight, DC Wins Right to a Statue in the Capitol Building

The people of Washington DC won a long fought battle earlier this month. No, not statehood or a vote in the United States Congress. But, a little more representation than before. Lawmakers approved a measure permitting a statue of a former Washingtonian to be placed in the Capitol building. The statue of writer, scholar and anti-slavery leader Frederick Douglass will be set up near or in Statuary Hall (read the full story)

Play or download MP3 of this story

• After Long Fight, DC Wins Right to a Statue in Capitol Building
  • Listen

Schoolhouse Rock - The Preamble

SchoolHouseRockVids: Schoolhouse Rock - The Preamble

Hey, do you know about the U.S.A.?
Do you know about the government?
Can you tell me about the Constitution?
Hey, learn about the U.S.A.

In 1787 I'm told
Our founding fathers did agree
To write a list of principles
For keeping people free.

The U.S.A. was just starting out
A whole brand-new country
And so our people spelled it out
The things that we should be

And they put those principles down on paper and called it the Constitution, and it's been helping us run our country ever since then. The first part of the Constitution is called the preamble and tells what those founding fathers set out to do.

We the people
In order to form a more perfect union
Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare and
Secure the blessings of liberty
To ourselves and our posterity
Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America

In 1787 I'm told
Our founding fathers all sat down
And wrote a list of principles
That's known the world around

The U.S.A. was just starting out
A whole brand-new country
And so our people spelled it out
They wanted a land of liberty

And the Preamble goes like this:

We the people
In order to form a more perfect union
Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare and
Secure the blessings of liberty
To ourselves and our posterity
Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America

For the United States of America . . .

Video of Schoolhouse Rock - The Preamble sing-a-long

Can Social Media Improve Voter Turnout?

VOA Learning English: Can Social Media Improve Voter Turnout?

We have all witnessed the power of social media. It helped elect Barack Obama president in two thousand eight. It also helped to support popular revolutions in two thousand ten and eleven that forced several long-time rulers from office. (read more)

Play or download MP3 of this story

• Can Social Media Improve Voter Turnout?
  • Listen
  • Playlist

LINKS

• Download PDF: Can Social Media Improve Voter Turnout?

West Wing Week: 09/21/12 or "The Dignity and Freedom That Every Person Deserves"

West Wing Week: 09/21/12 or "The Dignity and Freedom That Every Person Deserves"

This week, the President, Vice President and Secretary of State attended the Transfer of Remains Ceremony for the four Americans killed in Libya, while the White House welcomed Olympians and Paralympians, WNBA champions the Minnesota Lynx, new foreign Ambassadors, and the Children's Miracle Network. That's September 14th to September 20th or "The Dignity and Freedom That Every Person Deserves."

Democrats, Republicans Battle Over Voter ID Laws

VOAVideo: Democrats, Republicans Battle Over Voter ID Laws

A court battle over the state of Pennsylvania's controversial voter identification law is being seen as a proxy in the battle between Republicans and Democrats. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has asked a lower court to reconsider its earlier ruling in favor of the law. Republican legislatures across the country have pushed voter ID laws -- ostensibly to prevent voter fraud. Democrats argue the laws are an attempt to suppress minority voter turnout. Jeff Swicord has more. (Read the article)

Order to Free Slaves 'Beginning of America Really Becoming America'

USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

VOAVideo: Order to Free Slaves 'Beginning of America Really Becoming America'

It was 150 years ago that Union and Confederate troops squared off at Antietam Creek, Maryland, - a major Civil War victory for the Union that some historians say changed the course of American history. That's because five days later President Abraham Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which eventually brought an end to slavery in the United States. Mariama Diallo reports from the Washington memorial that bears the 16th president's name, where hundreds gathered to reflect the nation's past.

USCIS 100:75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*

▪ freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
▪ saved (or preserved) the Union
▪ led the United States during the Civil War

USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?

▪ freed the slaves
▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy
▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states
▪ freed slaves in most Southern states

Constitution & Citizenship Day 2012

Constitution and Citizenship Day 2012

Milpitas Adult School ESL1 and Citizenship students made flags in honor of Constitution and Citizenship Day 2012.

The ESL 1 students wrote a brief bio:

• My name is __________.
• I am from __________ (city and country).
• I live in San Jose/Milpitas.
• I study English at Milpitas Adult School.
• I am single/married. My husband/wife's name is __________.
• I have __ children. Their names are:  __________.

The Citizenship students wrote:

• My name is __________.
• I am from __________ (city and country).
• I immigrated to the United States in _____ (year).
• I live in San Jose/Milpitas with _______ (family members).
• I am studying US Citizenship at Milpitas Adult School.
• I want to become a US citizen because ________ (ex: I love America).

While the Citizenship students were making their flags, Orawan, came in to say that she had just passed her citizenship interview!

Congratulations to Orawan and all the new citizens who took the Oath of Citizenship on Citizenship and Constitution Day 2012. May we all work together for a better America!

Happy Constitution and Citizenship Day: Becoming an American

nclr: Becoming an American
A tribute to all the immigrants that have made the United States great.

We the People: Honoring Constitution Day

Heritage.org: We the People: Honoring Constitution Day

As we celebrate another Constitution Day, we should take time to reflect on the awesome gift of the Constitution and work to commit ourselves further to the principles of the Founding.

Constitution Day Resources Part 5

A Quick Interview for US Constitution and 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 the 2011 4 page multiple choice quiz: Const-Day-Int-Quiz-2011.pdf

Constitution Day Resources Part 4

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.

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 09/14/12 or "Eleven"

This week, the President and his administration commemorated the 11th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, and addressed the attack on the American embassy in Libya. We also took the Rhodes Traveled for a look back at the meaning of honoring 9/11. That's September 7th to September 13th or "Eleven."

Constitution Day Resources Part 3

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.





USCIS: NEW! Bill of Rights and Other Amendments - Beginning Level

The Bill of Rights and Other Amendments lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 48, 50, 51, 54, and 66.

Download file (1.3 MB)  | 08/16/12

Download handouts (428.4 KB) 
Download answer key (508.0 KB) 

Constitution Day Resources Part 2

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 Day Resources Part 1

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

USCIS Citizenship Resource Center
Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution - Beginning Level

Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 14, 65, 66, 67, and 68.

Download file (255.8 KB)  | 08/07/12

Download handouts (424.5 KB) 
Download answer key (210.9 KB) 

Remembering September 11th

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 (2011)

VOANews: Obama Marks Anniversary of Sept. 11 Attacks (2012)

VOA News U.S. President Barack Obama is marking the 11th anniversary of the September 11 attacks by remembering the victims and honoring those who have sacrificed to make the United States safe. During his weekly address Saturday, the president praised the courage of the first responders in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.



VOAVideo: National 9/11 Museum at Standstill as Anniversary Nears

Eleven years after the September 11 terror attacks leveled the World Trade Center, work on a museum at the site, which was to open on the anniversary this year, has stopped - because of financial and power disputes. At the same time, family members of some of the victims are fighting the museum's plan to preserve unidentified human remains in an underground repository. VOA's Carolyn Weaver reports.

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

▪ Terrorists attacked the United States.

Gabrielle Giffords recites the Pledge of Allegiance at the DNC

USCIS 100:52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

NYTimes: Gabrielle Giffords recites the Pledge of Allegiance at the DNC

Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords appears at the Democratic National Convention and recites the Pledge of Allegiance.

Click here to see more videos from the DNC: http://nyti.ms/TkirMq

USCIS 100:52. What do we show loyalty to when we say the Pledge of Allegiance?

▪ the United States
▪ the flag

California Admissions Day

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?*

VOA Learning English: American History: A Fresh Start

VOA Learning English: American History: A Fresh Start

We came to the last show in our U.S. history series, so now we start from the beginning again | THE MAKING OF A NATION Download MP3

West Wing Week: 09/07/12 or "Engage!"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 09/07/12 or "Engage!"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President visited Fort Bliss two years after he marked the end of major combat operations in Iraq and visited with victims of Hurricane Isaac. Meanwhile, the White House released its top secret beer recipe and the new White House app, and "We the People" got its three millionth signature. That's August 31st to September 6th or, "Engage!"

President Barack Obama's Remarks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention - Full Speech

President Barack Obama's Remarks at the 2012 Democratic National Convention - Full Speech

...As Americans, we believe we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, rights that no man or government can take away.

We insist on personal responsibility, and we celebrate individual initiative.

We’re not entitled to success. We have to earn it.

We honor the strivers, the dreamers, the risk- takers, the entrepreneurs who have always been the driving force behind our free enterprise system, the greatest engine of growth and prosperity that the world’s ever known.

But we also believe in something called citizenship — citizenship, a word at the very heart of our founding, a word at the very essence of our democracy, the idea that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. (read the full transcript)

Stronger Together: Immigration - 2012 Democratic National Convention Video

BarackObama.com: Stronger Together: Immigration - 2012 Democratic National Convention Video

The Undocumented and the Democrats - Elections 2012

NYTimes: The Undocumented and the Democrats - Elections 2012

A bus carrying undocumented immgrants rode from Phoenix, Ariz., to Charlotte, N.C. And Marcus Mabry and Representative Charlie Gonzalez of Texas discuss immigration and Latino voters at the D.N.C.

Click here to see more videos from the DNC: http://nyti.ms/TkirMq

USCIS Reminds Individuals Affected by Hurricane Isaac of Available Immigration Benefits

USCIS: USCIS Reminds Individuals Affected by Hurricane Isaac of Available Immigration Benefits

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds customers affected by Hurricane Isaac of certain U.S. immigration benefits that may be available to them.

USCIS understands that a natural disaster can affect an individual’s ability to maintain lawful immigration status. Eligible individuals may apply for temporary relief measures, including:

A change or extension of nonimmigrant status for an individual currently in the United States, even when the request is filed after the authorized period of admission has expired (read more)

For more information on USCIS humanitarian programs, visit www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283. Hearing-impaired persons can call 1-800-767-1833.

At DNC, Undocumented Aliens Push For More Immigration Reform

VOAVideo: At DNC, Undocumented Aliens Push For More Immigration Reform

As Democrats gather in Charlotte, North Carolina to nominate President Barack Obama for a second term in office, undocumented immigrants are using the spotlight to voice their concerns about U.S. immigration policy. VOA's Kane Farabaugh reports that, despite efforts to help certain illegal aliens, many believe President Obama has not done enough.

Labor Day 2012

USCitizenPod: N-400 Part 6: Residence and Employment History

USCitizendPod: N-400 Part 6: Employment History (only)

USCitizenPod: Listen: Labor Day Special from US Citizenship Podcast
USCitizenPod: Read: Mr and Mrs Hsun's Labor Day pdf

US Department of Labor: Labor Day

Who was the real Rosie the Riveter? Who is the real "father" of Labor Day? Get your questions answered here.

USA.gov: Labor Day
Resources from many websites about Labor Day—the first Monday in September—which celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America.

ELCivics.com: Labor Day
Labor Day is on the first Monday in September. It is an American holiday to honor working people.

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

VOAVideo: Unions See Wages Fall
Labor Day in the United States is a time to honor the contribution of workers. Recently, workers in the U.S. have fallen on tough times. Unemployment is high, while wages and benefits continue to decline -- along with the ranks of organized labor. With the presidential campaign in full swing, both candidates are claiming they can do what's best for the American worker. On this Labor Day, we take a look at the relationship between union membership and wages in the U.S. Jeff Swicord reports.

United We Stand: A History of Labor Unions

odphijazz: United We Stand: A History of Labor Unions

This is a video I made for my U.S. History class that is to be shown to middle school students. This video gives a glimpse into the world of Labor Unions from the nineteenth century. Enjoy!

USCIS.gov: Working in the US

Working in the US 

The United States welcomes thousands of foreign workers in multiple occupations or employment categories every year. 

• Information for Employers and Employees

• Permanent Workers

• Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Workers

• Temporary Visitors for Business

• Student and Exchange Visitors