Monday, September 14, 2020

Beginning ESL Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Day



uscitizenpod: The U.S. Constitution

A basic introduction to the Constitution for ESL/Citizenship students. This video is based upon a ppt that I made in 2005 and modified in 2008. 
  • Citizenship Resources for Constitution and Citizenship Day (September 17) (All Levels)
  • N-400 Interviews (many more resources here)
    • Preparing for Naturalization Quiz based on Video transcript pdf
    • Beginning Interview (1 pg, 10qs) pdf
    • Mix and Match Interview Level A and B pdf
    • Mezclar y Combinar Entrevistas y Exámencitos de Ciudadanía Level A and B pdf
  • Hao Thi Vu (Vietnam): A Quick Interview for US Constitution and Citizenship Day 2014 based on the new N-400r (2014) pdf 
  • Fu-Chiu Chen (Taiwan): Quick N-400 Interview plus 10Qs about the Constitution (2011) pdf
  • Preamble Puzzle pdf 
  • The U.S. Constitution  video
  • US Constitution Quick Quiz (picture vocabulary) pdf
  • What is US Constitution and Citizenship Day? pptx
  • What is US Constitution and Citizenship Day? pdf
  • Bill of Rights Day
    • Bill of Rights pptx via Google Slides
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 01  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 02  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 03  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 04  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Vocabulary Quiz 05  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Citizenship Quiz  pdf
    • Bill of Rights Dictation pdf
si.edu: Preparing for The Oath
  • Writing the Constitution: Videos  (Updated!  No FLASH!  Great on mobile devices)
  • Writing the Constitution: Transcript (page 5)

USCIS: 
Vanderbilt University: 'We The People...' - #Constitution Day at Vanderbilt video

VOA Learning English: What's So Important about Sept. 17? 


 Thanks for studying the U.S. Constitution--I know that you will be a great American citizen!

Check back for updates! (updated 09/14/2020)
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Sunday, September 13, 2020

10 people swear new allegiance during citizenship ceremony

 


The in-person ceremony comes after city officials and officials with the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services halted it in March due to COVID-19.
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Saturday, September 12, 2020

Why Do Left and Right Have Political Meaning?

 

 


 How did directions get connected to political beliefs? In the beginning it determined where you sat. VOA explains the root of this political concept which dates back to 1789. 

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Friday, September 11, 2020

9/11

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



The History Channel: After 9/11: Fifteen Septembers Later
  • How has the United States changed in the fifteen years since September 11, 2001? How will it continue to grow?
Newslea: A History of the 9/11 Attacks
  • On September 11, 2001, 19 militants hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks in the United States.
si.edu: Preparing the Oath September 11, 2001 (video)
  • USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
uscitizenpod: n-400r-12b   Affiliations
  • USCIS N-400 practice questions about terrorism
VOANews: Vanished US Flag From Famous 9/11 Photo Returns to Ground Zero (2016)
  • An American flag raised at ground zero on Sept. 11 in a defining moment of patriotic resolve took its place at the site Thursday after disappearing for over a decade.
VOANews: Pentagon Memorial Stands as Tribute 16 Years After Terror Attack (2017)
  • Today, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial stands next to where the plane entered the building, honoring those lost on a day that forever changed America.
  • Joyce Kilmer, an American poet who died in 1918, wrote a famous poem called Trees. It opens with: "I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree." In 2013, if alive, he could have written about a tree that loves life and defeated tragedy. VOA's Bernard Shusman reports on a New York tree that survived the 9-11 terrorist attack.
VOANews: Ahead of 9/11 Anniversary, Washington Community Beautifies Veteran Housing (2017)
  • People came together on Saturday to honor the country's veterans by renovating an outpatient clinic and housing facility for servicemen and women who’ve fallen on hard times. Arash Arabasadi reports from Southeast Washington.
VOA Learning English: Americans Remember September 11, 2001 (2017)
  • Some people wrote about their own experiences that day. Others posted photos and videos of the memorials and memorial services.
USCIS 100:86. What major event happened on September 11, 2001, in the United States?
  • Terrorists attacked the United States.
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Thursday, September 10, 2020

Citizenship Fall Class 8


VOA Learning English: US Supreme Court Decision: Miranda v Arizona

N-400
Civics
Integration:
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz: Maria Guerrero (Palmira, Colombia) pdf
Extra Credit:
  • VOA Learning English: The Supreme Court series
  • US Courts: Federal Courts Civics Education and Courtroom Programs playlist

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Wednesday, September 9, 2020

California Admissions Day



uscitizenpod: Love and Citizenship from the Heart of California: An US Citizenship Interview with Rene Smith ESL/Citizenship Instructor Madera Adult School

Teacher Jennifer does a practice US Citizenship interview with Teacher Rene (Madera Adult School), then Rene about her own experience about becoming a US citizen and preparing students to become US Citizens.


Today is California Admissions Day!

 I have created and uploaded a simple .docx about the State of California. I included info about our local government officials for the students of Milpitas Adult School.  Edit the docx for your own officials.

  • 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?*

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Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Citizenship Fall Class 7



VOA Learning English: US Supreme Court Justices

N-400
Civics
Integration:
  • Citizenship Interview Quiz: América Griselda Ayes (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) pdf
Extra Credit:
  • VOA Learning English: The Supreme Court series
  • US Courts: Federal Courts Civics Education and Courtroom Programs playlist

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Monday, September 7, 2020

Citizenship Resources for Labor Day



LISTEN to the FULL Podcast:  Citizenship? WE CAN DO IT! and take the quiz



Citizenship Resources for Labor Day (updated 9/03/2020) 
Check back for updates!  
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Sunday, September 6, 2020

Newest Americans Sworn In At Naturalization Ceremony Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

 


There were no crowds and no songs, but Wednesday's naturalization ceremony for dozens of U.S. citizens was no less emotional. The newest Americans swore their oath despite COVID-19 limitations; CBS2's Christina Fan reports. 
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Saturday, September 5, 2020

UPDATE: Preparing the Oath!

 uscitizenpod: UPDATE: Preparing the Oath!

USCIS and the Smithsonian American History Museum updated the Preparing the Oath Website https://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/ 

No more Flash extension! You can use it on your cell phones! Open your browser and go to https://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/
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Friday, September 4, 2020

Why Do Left and Right Have Political Meaning?


VOANews: Why Do Left and Right Have Political Meaning?

 How did directions get connected to political beliefs? In the beginning it determined where you sat. VOA explains the root of this political concept which dates back to 1789.

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Thursday, September 3, 2020

Citizenship Fall Class 6


IU Center on Representative Government: Facts of Congress - How a Bill Becomes Law

Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT
For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

Join Zoom Meeting
ID: 597 738 4168
Password: 226317

Direct Link to the Fall Citizenship Zoom Class 

N-400
Civics
Integration:
Extra Credit:
  • AAPA: How a Bill Becomes a Law video
  • Congress.gov The Legislative Process and More playlist
  • IU Center on Representative Government: Facts of Congress playlist
  • Kendal Pace: How a Bill Becomes a Law video
  • Khan Academy: Diagramming how a bill becomes a law in the U.S video
  • Schoolhouse Rock- How a Bill Becomes a Law video
  • VOA Learning English: What Is the House of Representatives? article
  • Vox: How a bill really becomes a law: What Schoolhouse Rock missed video
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Explainer: Red States, Blue States

 


VOA Learning English: Explainer: Red States, Blue States 

In U.S. politics it's common to hear red states and blue states, but where did the expression come from? What determines a state's "color"? VOA explains.
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Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Citizenship Fall Class 5



    VOANews: What Is the US House of Representatives?

    Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT
    For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

    Join Zoom Meeting
    ID: 597 738 4168
    Password: 226317

    Direct Link to the Fall Citizenship Zoom Class 

    N-400
    Civics
    Integration:
    • A Citizenship Interview Quiz for Paulette Poujol-Oriol (Port-au-Prince, Haiti) pdf
    Extra Credit:
    • VOA Learning English: What Is the House of Representatives? article
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    Monday, August 31, 2020

    7 Things You Didn't Know About Kamala Harris

     

    VOANews:  7 Things You Didn't Know About Kamala Harris

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    Sunday, August 30, 2020

    Thousands Become U.S. Citizens in Drive-Thru Naturalization Ceremonies, Easing Backlog

     

    Bloomberg: Thousands Become U.S. Citizens in Drive-Thru Naturalization Ceremonies, Easing Backlog

    It's long been a joyous and patriotic event when someone takes the oath to become a U.S. citizen, like a high school graduation for new Americans.

    Now, it's like a visit to a fast-food restaurant.

    Thousands of people have become U.S. citizens in drive-up ceremonies under the social-distancing rules that govern life amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    "At first, I was disappointed, because I thought, 'Oh, I'm not going to be able to have the picture in front of the emblem and the flag and all of that.' But then I thought, 'How great is it that they're making this opportunity available that I don't have to wait?' So actually, it was fine," Anita Rosenberger said after affirming the oath of citizenship during a drive-up ceremony in Detroit.

    The 60-year-old Rosenberger came to the U.S. from England as a child in 1968.

    She was among a few dozen who became new Americans on a recent afternoon inside the parking garage of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services complex in the city.

    Cars inched along until arriving in front of a face shield-wearing U.S. District Judge Laurie J. Michelson (MEYE'-kehl-sehn), who recited the oath of citizenship to new citizen candidates situated in their cars, trucks and vans.

    "This is a new experience, like we have done it in the building with a group of people. And this is a different feeling. But I'm very happy that they're handling it safely," said Bahar Khan, who witnessed his friend Khadiza Akter Suma of Bangladesh become a citizen.

    The drive-up ceremonies are helping to ease a backlog.

    But they haven't dampened enthusiasm.

    People tell The Associated Press they are thrilled with their new status after already long waits that were prolonged further by the outbreak.

    Nomsa Durham said it didn't matter much to her how the ceremony played out.

    "I mean, it's fine. I'm okay as long as I got my stuff," said Durham, who came to the U.S. from South Africa. She lives in Pontiac, Michigan, and works as a surgical technologist.

    Many more are waiting to become citizens -- and new voters.

    "I wanted to become a citizen partly just to get involved in the whole voting process. I've been here a long time. And I thought, 'You know what? I meant to do it for a long time.' And finally, it's like, 'This is the year to do it,'" said Margaret Arnold, originally from Scotland, who affirmed the oath in Detroit.

    But they could be held up by a budget crisis that could soon largely shut down USCIS.
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    Saturday, August 29, 2020

    Report Back from USCIS Los Angeles!

     

    uscitizenpod: Report Back from USCIS Los Angeles! 

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    Friday, August 28, 2020

    US Republican Party History

     VOANews: US Republican Party History 

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    Thursday, August 27, 2020

    Citizenship Fall Class 4



     VOANews: What Is the US Senate?

    N-400

    Civics
    Integration:
    • Citizenship Interview Quiz: América Griselda Ayes (Tegucigalpa, Honduras) pdf
    Extra Credit:
    • VOA Learning English: What Is the US Senate? article
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    Wednesday, August 26, 2020

    Happy Women's Equality Day!

    USCIS 100:48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
    • Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
    • You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
    • Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
    • A male citizen of any race (can vote).

    Check out more resources from Women's Suffrage and History from US Citizenship Podcast:

    PDFs and Podcasts
    • American Women who Fought for the Right to Vote mp3 / pdf 
    • Eight Outstanding Americans by Choice for International Women’s Day! podcast / pdf
    • Four American Women in Honor of Women’s History Month pdf
    • International Women's Day pdf
    • Women and USCIS 100 Questions: Civics pdf
    • Women in the Executive Branch podcast / pdf
    • Women in the Legislative Branch Quiz podcast / pdf (fixed)
    • Women in the Judicial Branch podcast / pdf
    Podcasts and Videos
    • 2020 U.S. Citizenship Interview with Patrice Lumumba (Senegal) (video) (podcast)
    • 2020 U.S. Citizenship Interview with Maya Gomes via Guatemala Part 1 (video) (podcast)
    • 2020 U.S. Citizenship Interview with Maya Gomes via Guatemala Part 2 (video) (podcast)
    • 2020 U.S. Citizenship Interview with Yinghong Xu (video) (podcast)
    Videos
    • Azucena Guevara’s First Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview (video)
    • Maria Flores’ Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview (video)
    • Martha Arroyo Orozco’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview (video)
    • Patrice Lumumba’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview (video)
    • Thi Nhung Phan's Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview (video)
    • Thi Nhung Phan's Second Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview video
    • Thuy Thu Pham’s Practice Citizenship Interview (video)
    Other Resources
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