Happy Birthday, Eleanor Roosevelt!

Eleanor Roosevelt served as the First Lady the United States (1933 to 1945) and a United States Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly (1945 to 1952). Although Eleanor Roosevelt never ran for public office, she was a living embodiment of a citizen as an active participant in American democracy.

Question 1: Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II?

▪ Franklin Roosevelt

Question 2: What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
▪ write to a newspaper

Listen to Eleanor Roosevelt and the United Nations (2010)

Happy Birthday, Eleanor Roosevelt!

U.S. Citizenship Class 15, Fall 2017, Milpitas Adult School

No, not Learning Chocolate, we will be taking CASAS.org Assessments

Tonight, Citizenship students will take a CASAS test 


Today we give 2 (or possibly 3) CASAS tests to our current Citizenship Students

• The Citizenship Interview Test (CIT) is a one-on-one oral assessment that simulates the citizenship applicant's English-language interview with a USCIS examiner (This test will be given to students who have been in class for several months).
• The Government and History for Citizenship tests reveal how much students know about American government and history. (All citizenship students will take this test)

Life and Work Reading Sample Test  (All citizenship students will take this test)

Use these sample test items to:

• familiarize students with CASAS items
• help reduce student test-taking anxiety

These items are samples to familiarize students with CASAS test formats. Since they are not actual tests, they are not predictors of student performance, and are not valid for level placement, assessment, or for reporting standardized scores.

Printable Version

• Level A get adobe reader
• Level B get adobe reader
• Level C get adobe reader
• Level D get adobe reader

PowerPoint Version

• Level A
• Level B
• Level C
• Level D - Coming Soon!

• Come to class and take the test!
• 
  
• The teacher will check if you can take a CIT test
• 
  
• When you are done, watch Preparing the Oath americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/

Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day Citizenship Resources 2017

LATimes: Indigenous Peoples Day Or Diversity Day?

American English at State: Celebrate!

• Columbus Day
• Hispanic Heritage Month
• Native American PowWows

ELCivics.com 

• American Indian Tribes, Columbus Day

LearningChocolate.com 

• U.S. Citizenship 2: Federal Holidays 
• U.S. Citizenship 3: Columbus 
• U.S. Citizenship 4: Columbian Exchange 
• U.S. Citizenship 5: American Indian Tribes 

SI.edu

• Learning Lab: Columbus Day: Should this still be a thing?
• National Museum of the Native American, Washington DC
• National Postal Museum: Indians at the Post Office: Native Themes in New Deal-Era Murals
• National Postal Museum: The American Indian in Postage Stamps: Profiles in Leadership, Accomplishment and Cultural Celebration
• NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov

US Citizenship Podcast 

• Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day Citizenship Resources 2017
• Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, and the Columbian Exchange podcast / video
• ¡Viva Boricua! A Citizenship Quiz In Honor of Puerto Rico pdf and mp3
• Native American Tribes Puzzle 
• Columbus Day and the Columbian Exchange Puzzle 
• Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Italian-American Heritage Month  mp3 (2015) pdf (2014)
• Citizenship Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month 2017 
• A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Native American Heritage Month (November)
• 10 USCIS civics questions focusing on Recent Native American History and Legislation
• mp3: https://goo.gl/cdKi4y
• pdf: https://goo.gl/lt9Ekf

VOANews: Voice of America 

• Columbus Day Still Generates Controversy as US Holiday article
• Columbus Day Still Generates Controversy as US Holiday video
• Does Columbus Day Honor a Monster?
• Goodbye Pocahontas: Photos Reveal Today’s True Native Americans
• Making of a Nation: Columbus Discovers America
• Making of a Nation: Columbus and the New World
• Mattaponi Tribe's Pow Wow: Time of Celebration and Giving Thanks
• The U.S. Expands West
• Native Americans March in Washington to Protest Pipeline
• This is America: Visiting Sacred Grounds in National Park Monuments
• New American Indian Village Takes Visitors Back in Time

More Websites

• ESL Library: Columbus Day
• LATimes: Indigenous Peoples Day Or Diversity Day?
• NPR: Indigenous Peoples' Day Gains Momentum As A Replacement For Columbus Day
• Zinn Project: Abolish Columbus Day

Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Italian-American Heritage Month

One Citizenship Question in Honor of Italian-American Heritage Month

Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Italian-American Heritage Month 

• mp3 (2015): http://goo.gl/nx4DZT
• pdf (2017 updated!): http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/italian-heritage-month-quiz.pdf

Also check out:

The four-part Ken Burns PBS documentary: The Italian Americans

LOC: Explorers Emigrants Citizens: A Visual History of the Italian American Experience

• Linda Barrett Osborne and Paolo Battaglia discuss their new book comprising a visual history of the Italian American experience from the collections of the Library.

Sunnyhills Neighborhood Meeting with US Rep Ro Khanna's Senior Adviser Tarun Galagali

s

8:18 At Sunnyhills United Methodist Church for a breakfast mtg abt #affordablehousing with a rep from @RoKhanna #peace

8:26 I am here abt the Sunnyhills #HUD housing project conversion to market-rate condos. @RoKhanna we're talking abt my #AultEdu students homes

• CORRECTION: Sunnyhills #HUD project is home to many of our #AdultEdu students and their families. #affordablehousing

8:35 We introducing ourselves to each other and the @RoKhanna rep. Tarun Galagali (who is not introducing himself), It's an informal mtg.

• CORRECTION: Tarun Galagali was introducing himself NOW. It was an informal neighborhood meeting.
• Follow Tarun Galagali @tarunjg24

8:43 Sunnyhills mtg with @RoKhanna rep is now open for qs: Q1 nuclear power subsidies (zero carbon) v. other renewable energy sources. Ro is open

• CLARIFICATION: Ro is open to continued discussion about energy sources.

Time 8:45 to 9:55

@RoKhanna Q1 follow-up. The difference between nuclear energy and nuclear power. To. Is is clear on the difference

• CORRECTION: Ro "gets" the science difference between nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.

@RoKhanna Q2 and Q3 abt #affordablehousing. He is pro-tennant rights. #HUD budget cuts are subject to Congressional approval
 
@RoKhanna no specific answers abt Sunnyhills #affordablehousing If we have very specific questions, email ro at http://rokhanna.com 

• CLARIFICATION: ro@rokhanna.com

@RoKhanna  is talking about Ro's actions on #Obamacare #AffordableCareAct. Response: formation of #NoPACTCaucus money for #bipartisanship. 

• CORRECTION: ‘NO PAC’ MONEY CAUCUS 
• See: https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-house-members-start-no-pac-money-caucus

@RoKhanna rep touches on #NRA members support background checks v NRA policy because members acknowledge that some have mental health issues

@RoKhanna Ro's rep relates story on Ro's visit to GOP KY re: tech boot camp for former coal-workers. Ro always searches for #CommonGround.

• READ: What Silicon Valley’s New Congressman Learned On His Trip To The Heart Of Coal Country https://www.fastcompany.com/3069177/what-silicon-valleys-new-congressman-learned-on-his-trip-to-the-heart-of-c

@RoKhanna Ro's rep talks about #H1B reform, term limits, and #campaignfinancereform #Bipartisanship

• READ Ro's statements on Immigration https://khanna.house.gov/issues/immigration

@RoKhanna Ro's rep talks about middle class/lower class wage stagnation. Gains Act (?) EITC Expansion will help the Trump's "forgotten man"

• READ Massive Expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit Corrects 40 Years of Wage Stagnation https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/release-sen-sherrod-brown-and-rep-ro-khanna-introduce-landmark-legislation

@RoKhanna Ro's rep talks abt #AgentsOfChange to get students to participate in civic activism #mentalhealth #tutoring

• GO TO: Agents of Change, Ro for Congress is a youth action council that strives to make Congressman Khanna’s platform a reality in CA-17  https://rkagentsofchange.wordpress.com/

@RoKhanna EITC increased wages for the working poor/middle class #trickleup v. Trump's tax breaks for upper tax breaks #trickledown

• READ: REP. KHANNA RESPONDS TO REPUBLICAN TAX PROPOSAL https://khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/statement-rep-khanna-responds-republican-tax-proposal

@RoKhanna Ro's rep talks about #JusticeDemocrats / #PeoplesPlatform v. entrenched / corrupt Democtrats.

• JUSTICE DEMOCRATS For a a strong Democratic Party that doesn't cater to corporate donors and will fight for the average American, join us to take the party back! http://www.justicedemocrats.com
• PEOPLE'S PLATFORM we need to do to make this a country that truly prioritizes equality and justice for all. https://summerforprogress.com/platform

@RoKhanna public comment abt #ThoughfulRegulation Example: cash for housing and driving up housing prices OR Water Quality.
 
@RoKhanna Comments abt cash purchases. Response: some immigrants have alt-financial sources. Don't blame immigrants, question the economy

• FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS: need for #ThoughtfulRegulation that encourages #QualityOfLife AND #EconomicGrowth

@RoKhanna Companies come into other cities, but use Milpitas as #affordablehousing leading to rising housing prices / infrastructure costs

• READ: Milpitas: Tenants fear there’s nowhere to turn if evicted from Sunnyhills apartments http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/06/01/milpitas-tenants-fear-theres-nowhere-to-turn-if-evicted-from-sunnyhills-apartments/

@RoKhanna comments abt #youth. #MentalHealth issues. Immigrant expectations to out-compete but not to risk their #wellbeing #TalkItOut

• READ Milpitas Unified School District Anti Bully Policy: If you see something / Say something http://www.musd.org/bullying.html
• READ: Counselling And Support For Youth (CASSY) delivers a comprehensive mental health program to Milpitas High School and Calaveras Hills High School students http://cassybayarea.org/our-programs/milpitas/
• Stress is making our children ill; here is what we can do about it http://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/Stress-is-making-our-children-ill-here-is-what-10831007.php

@RoKhanna We can agreeably disagree. Seek #CommonGround. Thanks Tarun at http://rokhanna.com 
 
Thanks to the Sunnyhills Methodist Church / Sunnyhills Neighborhood Assoc president Allysson MacDonald for hosting @RoKhanna rep @tarunjg24

Shout out to mtg attendees especially former #Milpitas mayoral candidates Carmen Montano & Voltaire Montemayor & the @TriCityVoice reporter
 
#Milpitas residents: send SAVE SUNNYHILL APARTMENTS letters to the #Milpitas @mayor_richtran and the City Counselors http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov/our-government/city-council/

Follow Teacher Jennifer at on Twitter https://twitter.com/uscitizenpod 

A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of German-American Day

Two Questions for German American Day

A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of German-American Day

• podcast http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/ger-am-heritage.mp3
• 10 Qs pddf: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/ger-am-heritage.pdf

German-American Day honors the first group of German families who immigrated to colonial America and arrived in Philadelphia on October 6, 1683. Here are ten Citizenship questions which incorporates German-born Americans-by-Choice.

U.S. Citizenship Class 14, Fall 2017, Milpitas Adult School

Citizenship Interview 16: Alecia Sotelo (Asuncion, Paraguay)

N-400

• Selection from Mix-and-Match U.S. Citizenship Interviews and Quizzes
• http://eepurl.com/c30oVz
• NEW EDITION!  Citizenship: Ready for the Interview: (Part 12) Addition Questions by Lynn Weintraub (publisher's website)
• n-400r-12g   Criminal Records
• n-400r-12h   Crime

Civics

• Citizenship: Passing the Test: Civics Review by Lynn Weintraub (publisher's website)
• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Government Basics

Integration:

• ¡Viva Boricua! A Citizenship Quiz In Honor of Puerto Rico pdf
• Civics Questions (USCIS 100:01-57) for the Naturalization Test
• American History and Integrated Civics Questions (USCIS 100:58-100) for the Naturalization Test

Homework:

Your Government and You - Beginning Level

Your Government and You lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 41, 42, 43, 44, 49, 50, 53, 55, 56, 57, and 94.

Download lesson plan (PDF, 970 KB)

Download handouts (PDF, 433 KB)

Download answer key (PDF, 651 KB)

Check Back for updates!

Viva Boricua! A Citizenship Quiz In Honor of Puerto Rico

¡Viva Boricua! A Citizenship Quiz In Honor of Puerto Rico
podcast: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/quiz-puerto-rico.mp3  
pdf: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/quiz-puerto-rico.pdf 

U.S. Citizenship Class 13, Fall 2017, Milpitas Adult School

United States Courts: Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor Remarks on Constitution Day 2016

The nation celebrated Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 16, 2016. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered congratulatory remarks to those naturalized at Ellis Island. Her message was webcast by the U.S. Courts as part of their coverage of ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial and Ellis Island, which were hosted by the National Park Service and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. Associate Justice Sotomayor discussed the U.S. Constitution, her family's migration from Puerto Rico to the mainland United States, the challenges of becoming U.S. citizens, and the rewards and responsibilities that come with citizenship, including voting, volunteering, and jury duty. She urged the new citizens to embrace the American culture, but not abandon their native cultures, as diversity is America's greatest strength.

N-400

• Selection from Mix-and-Match U.S. Citizenship Interviews and Quizzes
• http://eepurl.com/c30oVz
• NEW EDITION!  Citizenship: Ready for the Interview: (Part 12) Addition Questions by Lynn Weintraub (publisher's website)
• n-400r-12e   Work in a Prison
• n-400r-12f   Gangs, Weapons, Child Soldiers

Civics

• Citizenship: Passing the Test: A Country of Laws by Lynn Weintraub (publisher's website)
• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Responsibilities and The Courts

Integration:

• A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs about the Branches of Gov’t Part 3 pdf

Homework:  

United States Courts: Pathways to the Bench: U.S. District Court Judge Juan Sánchez (video)

U.S. District Court Judge Juan R. Sánchez, of Philadelphia, moved at age 12 from Puerto Rico to New York where he learned English, excelled in school, and developed his baseball talents. Baseball helped him assimilate and make friends, but it was his passion for public service that led him to the federal bench. He still plays baseball on a league and brings his work ethic and dedication to the diamond and to the courthouse every day.

Judicial Branch - Beginning Level

The Judicial Branch lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 13, 37, 38, 39, and 40.

Download lesson plan (PDF, 459 KB)

Download handouts (PDF, 401 KB)

Download answer key (PDF, 199 KB)

Judicial Branch - Intermediate Level

The Judicial Branch lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 12, 13, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 66.

Download lesson plan (PDF, 298 KB)

Download handouts (PDF, 517 KB)

Download answer key (PDF, 250 KB)

Rights and Responsibilities - Intermediate Level

The Rights and Responsibilities lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 43, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 55, 56, and 57.

Download lesson plan (PDF, 225 KB)

Download handouts (PDF, 225 KB)

Download answer key (PDF, 89 KB)

A Citizenship Question in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month #2

Roberto Clemente was a great Puerto Rican baseball player who died while delivering earthquake relief aid to Nicaragua. Since 1971, the MLB has presented an annual award in his name to an outstanding player who helps his community. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? (55)

• join a civic group
• join a community group
• join a fan club
• join a sports team

Citizenship Resources for Hispanic Heritage Month 2017
http://bit.ly/hhm-citizenship-resources

A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Hispanic Heritage Month #2
pdf: http://goo.gl/5w2F53
podcast: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/hispanic-heritage-month-quiz-2.mp3

Mix-and-Match U.S. Citizenship Interviews and Quizzes
http://eepurl.com/c30oVz

US Citizenship Bootcamp: Exercises and Quizzes to Pass the Naturalization Interview (Updated 2017)
http://eslpublishing.com/

United We Podcast

If you are preparing for your US Citizenship interview, you may need to brush up some of your English language skills. There are many podcasts in English (and other languages) that can help you improve your English. Here are my favorite English language podcasts:

All Ears English Podcast
All Ears English is an English as a Second Language (ESL) podcast for intermediate to advanced English learners around the world. Teachers Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan will show you how to use everyday English vocabulary and natural idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs and how to make small talk in American English.

• https://www.allearsenglish.com/ 
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/all-ears-english-podcast-real-english-vocabulary-conversation/id751574016?mt=2

Culips ESL Podcast
From Canada with love! Learn conversational English for everyday use.

• https://culips.com/
• https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/culips-esl-podcast/id279999557?mt=2

ESLPod.com
If you want to improve your english, check out ESLPod.com. Originally it was a free podcast via iTunes, but they changed to a monthly subscription (which includes audio, detailed pdf, and so much more). To prepare for the US Citizenship Interview, checkout their Government and Law collection. Also, contact eslpod@eslpod.com to see if their old, 4-part series "Introduction to the United States" (2009) is still available.

• ESLPod Government and Law collection: https://secure3.eslpod.com/library/government-law/
• ESLPod sample episodes on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/english-as-second-language-esl-podcast-learn-english/id75908431?mt=2

Voice of America Learning English Broadcast
News, Grammar, Pronunciation, American Culture, and more! Checl=k out their series: Let's Learn English 1 and 2 (new).

• Let's Learn English - Level 1 https://learningenglish.voanews.com/z/4729
• Let's Learn English - Level 2 https://learningenglish.voanews.com/z/5199
• podcast website: https://learningenglish.voanews.com/z/1689
• itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/learning-english-broadcast-voice-of-america/id109522474?mt=2

Listen to more Podcasts!

Also, consider subscribing to a podcast about your favorite hobby, sports team, music group, or job in English. Because you already know a lot about your passion, you can pick up the English vocabulary a bit more easily. Look for these podcasts in Apple iTunes or Stitcher (a podcast app for Android phones). Listening to English language podcasts work,or exercise will help you during your Citizenship Interview, especially with "small talk" or spoken grammar patterns such as "tag questions."

One final note, listening and understanding English is key to passing the USCIS interview.

If you don't understand what the USCIS officer says, ask them to repeat the question or explain the vocabulary term before you say "Yes" or "No."

• If you the USCIS officer ask you a question,
• and you answer (but don't understand the question),
• and then the officer asks you to explain what a word or question means,
• and you can't explain the word or question,
• the officer must stop the interview!

Please, please, please practice your listening and speaking BEFORE you go to your USCIS interview. Podcasts can help!

LISTEN to US Citizenship Podcast

• US Citizenship Podcast Show website http://uscitizenpod.libsyn.com/
• US Citizenship Podcast Daily blog: http://www.uscitizenpod.com/
• Download our FREE Android app: https://goo.gl/d6rs9f
• Download our FREE Apple iPhone/iPad: https://goo.gl/dLiOAE
• Subscribe via Apple iTunes: https://goo.gl/BVrqHQ
• Subscribe via Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/us-citizenship-podcast-2/us-citizenship-podcast