Saturday, January 31, 2015

West Wing Week: 01/30/15 or, “Namaste Obama”



wh.gov West Wing Week: 01/30/15 or, “Namaste Obama”

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. This week, the President made history by being the first sitting President to make a second visit to India. He and the First Lady also traveled to Saudi Arabia to pay their respects to the late King. And back at home, the President convened a meeting with U.S. Mayors, and honored outgoing Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel. That's January 23rd to January 29th or, "Namaste Obama."

Sunday, January 25, 2015

VOA Learning English News Words: Civil War



VOA Learning English News Words: Civil War

This phrase describes a kind of war. Our hosts tell you about civil war in one minute with the pronunciation and definition. Let us know how these videos are helping you. Write a comment below and tell us.

USCIS 100:72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
▪ War of 1812
▪Mexican-American War
Civil War
▪ Spanish-American War

USCIS 100:73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
▪ the Civil War
▪ the War between the States

USCIS 100:74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
▪ economic reasons
▪ states’ rights

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

Friday, January 23, 2015

West Wing Week: 1/23/15 or, "B is for Believe"



wh.gov: West Wing Week: 1/23/15 or, "B is for Believe"

This week, the White House was a flurry of activity during the lead up to -- and the rollout of -- the annual State of the Union Address, with follow up trips to Kansas and Idaho, the second annual "Big Block of Cheese Day," and YouTube stars bringing their flair to the East Room to interview the President.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Obama Address Focuses on Economic Rebound, Lifting the Middle Class



VOAVideo: Obama Address Focuses on Economic Rebound, Lifting the Middle Class

President Barack Obama took his arguments to the American public in his State of the Union address, focusing on a surging economy and his plans to strengthen the middle class. On foreign policy, the U.S. leader called on a joint session of Congress to vote to authorize military force against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Following midterm election losses, the president's domestic and overseas agenda is expected to face tough resistance. VOA’s Mary Alice Salinas reports from Washington.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/2607143.html

Watch the President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union Address

Monday, January 19, 2015

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Video



wh.gov: Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Video

A video message from President Obama on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

VOANews: US Observes Martin Luther King Day

For more info, visit
On MLK Day, Americans across the country come together for a day of service, picking up the baton handed to us by past generations and carrying forward their efforts. As one people, we show that when ordinary citizens come together to participate in the democracy we love, justice will not be denied.

So make the commitment to serve your community throughout the year – and make MLK Day a day on, not a day off.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Citizenship Test in Honor of MLK Day: Krestos Negasi (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia)


Prepare for your citizenship interview and Martin Luther King Day with a multiple choice test about Krestos Negasi's interview and 10 USCIS questions. (download pdf)

This test was inspired by the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. AND…

 “Holding the Bag” (a high beginning ESL novel) by Ana Gianola, 978-1-56420-544-5

Negasi is a Washington DC taxi driver from Ethiopia who has been in the U.S. for many years and has a family. He accidentally becomes involved in a robbery and faces a moral issue.

Thanks to NewReadersPress.com for their outstanding ESL/Citizenship resources. My students & I love you!

Saturday, January 17, 2015

What Would King Say About Brown, Garner Cases?



VOAVideo: What Would King Say About Brown, Garner Cases?

The third Monday in January is a federal holiday in the United States, marking the birthday of renowned civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. This year, the holiday has special meaning for many, after the events of recent months in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York. VOA's Anush Avetisyan has more; Joy Wagner narrates her report.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/what-would-king-say-brown-garner/2602951.html

Friday, January 16, 2015

US Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

\On Washington August 28, 1963, VOA posted a series of videos remembering the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. The march is widely credited with helping to pass the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965).




This month, the United States is honoring the legacy of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. Fifty years ago ((August 28, 1963)) Reverend King led the famous March on Washington and gave the "I Have a Dream" speech, a masterpiece that galvanized the nation to support equal rights for African Americans. VOA correspondent Meredith Buel has this profile of King and his fight for desegregation and against racism.
    Watch the entire VOA The King Legacy Marching Forward series:

    Thursday, January 15, 2015

    Citizenship Kahoot in Honor of Martin Luther King, Dr Day!



    Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr Day and study for your Citizenship Interview with a new quiz from #Kahoot http://goo.gl/jJHWrF #MLK2015

    Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Game


    U.S. Citizenship 21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    ://goo.gl/pTgVXD

    Martin Luther King, Jr. Day honors Rev. Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister and Civil Rights leader.
    MLK Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January.
    MLK Day is a national holiday in the United States.

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

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

    USCIS 100:85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*

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

    Tuesday, January 13, 2015

    Voting Rights Act Remembered in Film, 50 Years Later



    VOAVideo: Voting Rights Act Remembered in Film, 50 Years Later

    In March 1965, 600 people set out from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in a nonviolent march for voting rights. State troopers attacked the protesters at the edge of the city, and the violence galvanized activists. A few weeks later, President Lyndon Johnson introduced the Voting Rights Act, which guaranteed the right to vote regardless of race or ethnicity. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay interprets these and other events in her epic drama “Selma.” VOA’s Penelope Poulou reports. http://www.voanews.com/media/video/voting-rights-act-remembered-fifty-years-later/2592614.html

    Sunday, January 11, 2015

    Undocumented Immigrants Apply for Driver’s Licenses in California



    VOAVideo Undocumented Immigrants Apply for Driver’s Licenses in California http://youtu.be/rEfsF03smmk

    Undocumented immigrants in California can now drive legally under a new state law. More than a million people are expected to apply for driver’s licenses. Even though California is not the first U.S. state with such a law, it has the largest number of undocumented immigrants in the country. Correspondent Elizabeth Lee reports.
    Originally published at -http://www.voanews.com/media/video/undocumented-immigrants-apply-driver-licences-california/2592878.html

    Also, check out these new games on LearningChocolate.com by Milpitaschat (aka uscitizenpod).  More games coming soon!

    new

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    To learn more, go to California Driver Handbook:Traffic Signal Lights at http://goo.gl/XEGFzW or go to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website.

    Saturday, January 10, 2015

    Are You in the Homeland Generation?


    VOA Learning English: Words and Their Stories: Are You in the Homeland Generation?

    After the 2001 terrorist attacks, we've heard the word “homeland” more often in the United States. Some are even proposing the word as the name for today’s generation of young people. But the word holds many different meanings around the world -- some positive and some quite negative. LISTEN:

    Friday, January 9, 2015

    West Wing Week: 1/9/15 or, "SOTU Spoiler Alert!"



    wh.gov: West Wing Week: 1/9/15 or, "SOTU Spoiler Alert!"

    Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and on the road to the State of the Union. This week, the President traveled to Michigan and Arizona to preview new policy initiatives from his upcoming State of the Union address on January 20th. His actions will focus on helping middle class families buy a home and land solid, good paying jobs. That's January 2nd to January 8th or, "SOTU Spoiler Alert!"

    Tuesday, January 6, 2015

    Being Biden: A Senate Swearing-In

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



    wh.gov: Being Biden: A Senate Swearing-In

    Join Vice President Biden as he heads to Capitol Hill to swear in the the United States Senate.

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

    ▪ Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
    ▪ Joe Biden
    ▪ Biden

    Monday, January 5, 2015

    USCIS Training Seminars

    DEADLINE IS JANUARY 6, 2015. 
    FOR MORE INFO, SEE http://goo.gl/blGhul


    JANUARY 2015

    Date
    Time
    City/State
    Location
    Type of Event
    Registration
    1/149 AM-
    4 PM
    Fresno, CAFresno Adult School
    2500 Stanislaus Street
    Room 110/111
    Full-Day SeminarOpen
    1/169 AM-
    4 PM
    Miami, FLLindsey Hopkins Technical Education Center
    750 N.W. 20th Street
    Cafeteria
    Full-Day SeminarOpen
    1/169 AM-
    4 PM
    San Francisco, CAUSCIS San Francisco District Office
    630 Samsome Street
    10th Floor, Room 1050
    Full-Day SeminarOpen

    USCIS offers free training for adult educators, program directors, volunteers, and representatives from immigrant-serving organizations. These seminars are designed to enhance the skills needed to teach U.S. history, civics, and the naturalization process to immigrant students and to administer comprehensive adult citizenship education programs.
    DEADLINE IS JANUARY 6, 2015.  FOR MORE INFO, SEE http://goo.gl/blGhul

    Saturday, January 3, 2015

    US Immigration Reform Appears Unlikely in 201



    wh.gov: US Immigration Reform Appears Unlikely in 2015

    Over the span of several U.S. election cycles, there have been calls for comprehensive immigration reform to fix a system that people on both sides of the political spectrum agree is broken. But some observers say President Barack Obama’s recent executive action aimed at temporarily shielding some undocumented foreigners from being deported may have doomed his longer-term goal of forging a comprehensive agreement with Congress. VOA’s Greg Flakus has more in this report from Houston, Texas.
    Originally published at http://www.voanews.com/media/video/us-immigration-reform-appears-unlikely/2577764.html

    Friday, January 2, 2015

    West Wing Week: 1/2/15 or, "That Zingy Sting: A Special, Year-End Edition"



    wh.gov: West Wing Week: 1/2/15 or, "That Zingy Sting: A Special, Year-End Edition"

    Welcome to this special, year-end edition of West Wing Week. We know you all are busy with the holidays, so we'll keep it short. We here at West Wing Week have a word we use to describe the funny bit we put at the end of each episode, and that word is: Sting. So, for the end of the year, we thought we'd string together a little entertaining compilation of stings, for those of you who might not have made it to the very end of every single episode. Enjoy, and see you next year!

    Thursday, January 1, 2015

    Happy 2015 from Americans from Around the World!



    USCIS: Happy 2015 from Americans from Around the World!

    http://youtu.be/01mkSvzjdws via @YouTube #newUScitizen

    Happy new year!

    We invited Americans and US permanent residents to share their new year cheer, and then we put them all together.

    If we missed your video, we're sorry! Please share it in the comments below.

    Happy 2015!

    Here's the original video inviting people to record their greetings: http://youtu.be/qGWf6JMQImc

    Teacher Jennifer's comment--My beloved student Vu Thi Hao appears with her husband around 00:58--that's them in the preview! Thank you, USCIS!