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.