A Deep Dive into Citizenship Prep

Surfing the Waves of Change in Challenging Times
2018 San Diego Regional CATESOL
Educational Cultural Complex (ECC)   
Saturday, April 21, 2018 

2:30 A Deep Dive into Citizenship
Participants will identify the critical resources in the form of websites, CASAS assessments, textbooks, and more to meet (and exceed) suggested USCIS recommended

Citizenship course content standards. 

• Google Slides: http://bit.ly/2HKQLz9
• PDF notes: http://bit.ly/2F0cAYq

Teaching with YouTube

Surfing the Waves of Change in Challenging Times
2018 San Diego Regional CATESOL
Educational Cultural Complex (ECC)   
Saturday, April 21, 2018 

1:20 Teaching with YouTube

Go where your students are. Learn how to set up your YouTube channel to deliver quality content to your students inside and outside of the classroom. Bring your own laptop, a Google email address, and leave with a YouTube channel that will help you meet (and exceed) your curriculum goals.

Google Slides: http://bit.ly/2Hf5wNz
Notes PDF: http://bit.ly/2K2dWFW

https://padlet.com/uscitizenpod/3bu7sfahvu3

New Wave Citizenship Prep

Surfing the Waves of Change in Challenging Times
2018 San Diego Regional CATESOL
Educational Cultural Complex (ECC)
Saturday, April 21, 2018

11:30 pm New Wave Citizenship Prep
Participants will identify the latest developments in US Citizenship Prep. Use mobile and online tools to encourage frequent practice, greater fluency, and success!

• Google slides: http://bit.ly/2J9kaCT
• Notes pdf: http://bit.ly/2HxYFOA

Cherry Blossoms Bloom

VOA Learning English: Cherry Blossoms Bloom

Learning English visits the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. It is a garden, park and a place for plant research. We take in the beautiful blooming cherry trees while learning about the different kinds of cherry trees with Margaret Pooler, the Director of Research.

Learn More:

• THE U.S. NATIONAL ARBORETUM
• DC Gardens: the National Arboretum
• NPS: the Cherry Blossom Festival
• NPS: the Cherry Blossom Cam (live video)

Milpitas Adult School Open House Citizenship Interview 1

uscitizenpod: Milpitas Adult School Open House Citizenship Interview 1

On Thursday, April 12, Milpitas Adult School hosted an Open House in honor of Adult Education Week. During the Open House, community members and students dropped by our Citizenship class to participate in mock Citizenship interviews. In this video, Teacher Nahil (Jerusalem) asks Teacher Jennifer (Chicago) the N-400 questions, then Citizenship and ESL 2 students ask civics questions. The N-400 questions are based the following script:

Easy Interview based on the Revised N-400 (1 pg, 15 qs) (updated 04/18/2016)

• pdf http://goo.gl/4FVFO4
• pptx: https://goo.gl/b2BMT1
• vocab pdf: http://goo.gl/50NyZu

MAE Open House Citizenship Interviews Playlist

All of the interviews plus an quick outtake or two.

First Lady Barbara Bush

First Lady Barbara Bush 

June 8, 1925 – April 17, 2018

Income Tax Day 2018

Income Tax Day
Here are fifteen citizenship questions from the N-400 and the USCIS Civics Test about taxes and our economic system. Happy Income Tax Day!

* video: https://youtu.be/v7hXmof9a6s
* mp3: http://goo.gl/zRqXYX
* pdf: http://goo.gl/VfuJW2
* Kahoot http://goo.gl/MmQgfx

USCIS 100:56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
* April 15 (this year, April 17, 2018)

Breathtaking Cherry Blossoms Draw International Visitors to Maryland Neighborhood

Teacher Jennifer's note: this week, I am on Spring Break in chilly Chicagoland. But in the past, I have gone to Washington D.C.to admire the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin which are almost as beautiful as the cherry orchards in San Jose and Milpitas, located in the Valley of the Heart's Delight!

VOANews: Breathtaking Cherry Blossoms Draw International Visitors to Maryland Neighborhood

In the springtime, the Tidal Basin in Washington is known for having a spectacular display of cherry blossoms. But in a quiet neighborhood in Maryland, just outside Washington, more than 1,000 cherry trees also put on quite a show. VOA's Deborah Block takes us to Chevy Chase, Maryland, where the breathtaking canopy of flowers attracts visitors from around the world.

Income Tax Day

USCIS 100:56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*

Income Tax Day
Here are fifteen citizenship questions from the N-400 and the USCIS Civics Test about taxes and our economic system. Happy Income Tax Day!

* mp3: http://goo.gl/zRqXYX
* pdf: http://goo.gl/VfuJW2
* Kahoot http://goo.gl/MmQgfx

USCIS 100:56. When is the last day you can send in federal income tax forms?*
* April 15 (this year, April 17, 2018)

America's Presidents - Abraham Lincoln

Today we remembering the assassination (April 14, 1865) and death of President Abraham Lincoln (April 15, 1865)

VOA Learning English: America's Presidents - Abraham Lincoln

VOA Learning English Lessons about Abraham Lincoln.  See all the lesson and videos about America's President's

• 
  

  

  
  

  JUNE 18, 2017
  

  Abraham Lincoln: Martyr (Part Three)

• 
  

  

  
  

  JUNE 14, 2017
  

  Abraham Lincoln: Martyr (Part Three)

• 
  

  

  
  

  JUNE 11, 2017
  

  Abraham Lincoln: Martyr (Part Two)

• 
  

  

  
  

  JUNE 09, 2017
  

  Abraham Lincoln: Martyr (Part Two)

• 
  

  

  
  

  JUNE 04, 2017
  

  Abraham Lincoln: Martyr

• 
  

  

  
  

  JUNE 02, 2017
  

  Abraham Lincoln: Martyr

• 
  

  

  
  

  JUNE 02, 2017
  

  America's Presidents - Abraham Lincoln

Adult Education Matters Interview Part 2

uscitizenpod: Adult Education Matters Interview Part 2

An interview with Principal Giuliana Brahim of Milpitas Adult Education.

First, you will hear basic 25 question interview based on the USCIS N-400. Then, Principal Giuliana describes Milpitas Adult Education and Corrections programs and the future of Adult Education.

The mission of Milpitas Adult Education is to empower, strengthen, and grow our adult learners. Learn more at https://adulted.musd.org/

For our students' convenience, we have taken sound bites from this podcast and posted them to our YouTube channel.

MAE: Paying Attention to the Adult Learner
https://youtu.be/OP16LZZiffs

Challenges for the Adult Learner
https://youtu.be/cEqTHYINJhw

What is a 243-funded Class?
https://youtu.be/cCcveWoMnT0

Adult Education: No Wrong Door
https://youtu.be/LagvDhyTmm8

MAE: Future Challenges
https://youtu.be/QVonmBv2eBE

Gracias!
https://youtu.be/hjc5vhbeohA

Adult Education Matters Interview Part 1

mp3: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/g-podcast-01.mp3
mp4: https://youtu.be/ybbsB8CVw6Q

For more interviews, see uscitizenpod's YouTube channel--
#AdultEducationMatters Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtyN34w6H7y4p93yVyt-Q2hKDD5rbcONf

Adult Education Matters Interview Part 1

Teacher Jennifer's note: This evening, we had an Open House at Milpitas Adult School. Many people stopped by and were kind enough to interview our students. We recorded some GREAT INTERVIEW VIDEOS which I am currently editing and will release them in a week or two Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

uscitizenpod: Adult Education Matters Interview 1



An interview with Principal Giuliana Brahim of Milpitas Adult Education.

First, you will hear a simple, 10 question interview twice: once with single words answers, and the second time Principal Giuliana answers the questions in complete sentences. Although the vocabulary and grammar become more difficult, it is important to note that both the short and long answers provide complete information. Remember: the USCIS officer wants the truth and needs complete information.

Then, Principal Giuliana talks about how her life as an immigrant from Peru has informed her profession as an adult educator and administrator. Giuliana describes culture shock when she came to the US and the pain of "casual" racism that she felt when her fellow country men confused her ethnic identity and neglected to acknowledge her cultural heritage.  This led to the heightened awareness and appreciation for the cultural diversity of parents and children in the Milpitas Unified School District.

For our students' convenience, we have taken sound bites from this podcast and posted them to our YouTube channel.

Two Simple Citizenship Interviews with Principal Giuliana
https://youtu.be/qN5su5aOO0Y

My Immigration and Citizenship Story by Principal Giuliana
https://youtu.be/b7gyHLO_Uvc

I felt like an Immigrant in my own Home Country
https://youtu.be/SHMPNLS3VaE

We Live in a Diverse Community!
https://youtu.be/swyzvdka-z0

Struggle and Persistence in an Adult Learner's Life
https://youtu.be/5TZO8F-OtHo

For more interviews, see uscitizenpod's YouTube channel--
#AdultEducationMatters Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtyN34w6H7y4p93yVyt-Q2hKDD5rbcONf

US House Speaker Ryan Says He Won't Run for Re-Election

VOAnews: US House Speaker Ryan Says He Won't Run for Re-Election

The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, says he will not seek re-election for his seat this November, raising questions about the Republican party's ability to maintain control of the House during midterm elections. VOA's Jeff Custer reports from Washington.

USCIS 100:31. If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
▪ the Speaker of the House

USCIS 100:47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?
▪ Paul D. Ryan
▪ (Paul) Ryan

U.S. Citizenship Class 24, Spring 2018, Milpitas Adult School

Click map to expand the map of American Indian Tribes

N-400

• Citizenship: Ready for the Interview: Personal Info by Lynn Weintraub (publisher's website)
• n-400r-1     Eligibility
• n-400r-2     Info About You
• n-400r-3     Accommodations

Civics

• Citizenship: Passing the Test: CH3 13 Colonies  by Lynn Weintraub (publisher's website)
• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: A Growing Nation 

Integration

• A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10 qs in honor of Thanksgiving 2015 pdf
• A Citizenship Quiz for Thanksgiving (2015) pdf
• 10 USCIS civics questions that celebrate Adult Education Week and the California State Govt.  pdf: http://bit.ly/CA-leg-day-quiz

California Adult Education Week and Legislative Day

uscitizenpod: #AdultEducationMatters YouTube Playlist

This video is a introduction to the playlist: Adult Education Matters, a series of videos that explores WHY Adult Education isimportant to individual students and the society at large.

The next four videos in this series pair CA Legislative Day activities with USCIS questions. Download the quiz pdf: http://bit.ly/CA-leg-day-quiz. Subsequent videos include interview clips from administrators, teachers, and students.

Adult Education Week is usually celebrated in the second week of April. On Monday and Tuesday, representatives from Adult Schools all over California will go to Sacramento to speak to their state legislators about funding for adult education. This includes money for ESL, Civics, Citizenship, GED, Corrections programs, plus Career Technical Education--all of which are very, very important in the state of California and the other states as well.

Students and staff, friends and family can participate by writing letters of support to their state legislators or contact them via the CCAE mobile app. Simply tell them about WHY you love your school and how your school has CHANGED your life.

For more great ideas about how to celebrate Adult Education Week, go to https://www.ccaestate.org/adult-education-week/

If you want to learn more facts about Adult Education, go to Educate and Educate (educateandelevate.org), a collaboration between the Coaltion on Adult Basic Education and National Council of State Directors of Adult Education.

#AdultEducationMatters: Investing in Adult students is investing America's future!

Adult Education Matters
http://adulteducationmatters.blogspot.com/

California Adult Education Administrators Association
http://www.caeaa.org/

California Council for Adult Education
http://www.ccaestate.org/

CCAE Adult Education Week Resouces
http://www.ccaestate.org/adult-education-week/

CCAE Legislative Day Resources
http://www.ccaestate.org/legislative-day/

CCAE Mobile App
http://www.ccaestate.org/ccae-app/

COALITION ON ADULT BASIC EDUCATION
http://www.coabe.org/

Countable App
https://www.countable.us/

Educate and Elevate Adult Education
https://educateandelevate.org/

US Citizenship Podcast
http://www.uscitizenpod.com

uscitizenpod: 10 USCIS civics questions that celebrate Adult Education Week and the California State Govt.
quiz pdf: http://bit.ly/CA-leg-day-quiz
quiz mp3: https://goo.gl/BX6Xjl

uscitizenpod: #AdultEducationMatters Playlist
playlist: http://bit.ly/AdultEduMtrsVids

Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans

Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans 

mp3: https://goo.gl/Ei8g2T
pdf: http://goo.gl/YE8yR8

I wrote this quiz for several reasons. First, to honor Central/Eastern European-American Heritage. Second, to showcase the diversity in the American christian community. Third, to celebrate Easter.

In the past, Western Christians and the Eastern Orthodox have been divided by religion, history, and politics, but as Americans, we are united as one people.

I would also like to introduce, Branka and Tony, from Canada and the former Yugoslavia. Branka is a longtime colleague who currently leads the Sacramento Adult Education Consortium and just finished her term on the COABE board.  Last year she became a U.S. citizen.

Quiz answers:

1. Colonists came to America for freedom.
2. Freedom of religion is that you can practice any religion or not practice a religion.
3. America bought the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803.
4. The two parts of the US Congress are the Senate and the House of Representatives
5. Dianne Feinstein is one of the two US senators from the state of California.
6. Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.
7. Mike Pence is the current Vice-President of the United States.
8. Jerry Brown is the current Governor of California.
9. The two major political parties are Democratic and Republican parties.
10. The President's Cabinet advises the President.
11. Ro Khanna is the US Representative of San Jose/Milpitas, California.
12. Two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy are join a civic group and join a community group.

EXTRA CREDIT: Listen to a great interview with Vlade Divac!

• StoryCorps: Vivek and Vlade: From New Arrivals To Kings
• Former Sacramento Kings center and current general manager Vlade Divac is interviewed by his boss, majority owner Vivek Ranadive, in this StoryCorps segment. They talk a little basketball but mostly focus on their shared experience as immigrants.

Also see:

uscitizenpod: A U.S. Citizenship Quiz for Easter 2018

Ten citizenship questions paired with ten American Christians from the western Catholic and Protestant traditions:

• pdf: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2018-easter.pdf
• mp3: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2018-easter.mp3
• video: https://youtu.be/bb85HDZHcJ4

The Legacy of Immigrant Grandmothers

VOANews: VOA Connect (03/30/2018) The Legacy of Grandmothers

Connecting today's immigrant kids with the generations that preceded them.

Fernando’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview

uscitizenpod: Fernando’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview

Fernando and I had a great time practicing for his US Citizenship Interview.

U.S. Citizenship Class 23, Spring 2018, Milpitas Adult School

N-400:

• Citizenship Ready for the Interview: Intro: Applying for Citizenship 14-17
• n-400r-0     Before the Interview plus mp3
• 
  Understanding Commands for the Naturalization Interview

  This listening activity has commands that you may hear during the naturalization interview. Download the self-study flash cards to practice on your own.

  

  Download Self-Study Flash Cards (PDF, 2.41 MB)

  Download Practice Exercise (PDF, 730 KB)

Civics:

• Citizenship Passing the Test: ch 2 American Places 23-35

Integration:

• Citizenship Interview with Juah Sarwee  plus 10qs about US Geography and Symbols pdf  
• USCIS100:88-95: Geography Quiz
• ¡Viva Boricua! A Citizenship Quiz In Honor of Puerto Rico
• pdf: http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/quiz-puerto-rico.pdf 

50th Anniversary of MLK's Death

VOANews: US Marks 50 Years Since Civil Rights Icon King's Assassination
The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr marched and mobilized millions to champion civil rights in America. Through a philosophy of nonviolence, King helped advance the United States towards passage of two major laws in the 20th Century: Тhe Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. April 4, 2018, marks the 50th anniversary of his assassination. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi looks back at the life of the iconic leader of the American civil rights movement.
Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/king-assassination-anniversary/4328881.html

VOANews: On 50th Anniversary of MLK Assassination, Youth Activists Inspired by his Legacy (video)

This week marks 50 years since civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. During his lifetime, his nonviolent strategies inspired many. As Daniel Brown finds out while covering a recent march for gun control for VOA, it's a legacy that continues today, particularly among American youth.  Originally published at - https://www.voanews.com/a/4329954.html


uscitizenpod: Three Questions for MLK Day (video)
Three Citizenship Questions for MLK Day focused on the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  Read/listen to the whole quiz below.


14 USCIS Questions in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This quiz matches 14 USCIS civics questions with speeches and events from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who worked for equality for all Americans and for all those who thirst for peace and justice throughout the world mp3 and pdf




Interview with Krestos Negasi (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) on MLK Day mp3 and pdf





A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r of Juah Sarwee from Fish Town, Liberia plus 10qs about US Geography and Symbols (2017) pdf  

A Citizenship Interview Quiz for Paulette Poujol-Oriol (Port-au-Prince, Haiti) (2018) pdf

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

Learning Chocolate: Martin Luther King Jr Day

MLK Day Special mp3

uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Resources for African-American History Month
During the month of February, we explore the connection between the USCIS History and Civics questions and African American History. We also include Citizenship, Immigration, and Gov't Resources in African Languages! 

U.S. Citizenship Class 22, Spring 2018, Milpitas Adult School

VOANews: VOA Connect (03/30/2018) A New Generation of Governors

Watch as a handful of 18-year-olds run for governor of Kansas. What do they hope to accomplish?


N-400:

• Citizenship Ready for the Interview: Intro: Applying for Citizenship 5-21
• Preparing for Naturalization
• PPTX http://goo.gl/p6kNWH
• Quiz based on Video transcript http://bit.ly/1xosSkj
• Video http://bit.ly/usnatzvideo

Civics:

• Citizenship Passing the Test: ch 1 Welcome to America pg 5-22
• CA state and local officials pdf

Integration:

• B-1 class quiz (pilot)
• A Citizenship Quiz for Easter pdf

Census Citizenship Question Ignites Controversy

VOANews: Census Citizenship Question Ignites Controversy

Eleven U.S. states are now challenging the Trump administration's decision to add a question about citizenship status to the upcoming 2020 U.S. Census. In an announcement Monday, the U.S. Commerce Department said the change would ensure a more accurate accounting of the U.S. population. But opponents say the move will have the opposite effect by intimidating undocumented immigrants. VOA's Congressional correspondent Katherine Gypson has more.

Originally published at: https://www.voanews.com/a/census-citizenship-question-ignites-controversy/4321805.html

A U.S. Citizenship Quiz for Easter

uscitizenpod: A U.S. Citizenship Quiz for Easter

Today's quiz pairs ten citizenship questions with ten American Christians from the western Catholic and Protestant traditions: Bartolomé de las Casas Sojourner Truth Aimee Semple McPherson Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin Bishop Fulton Sheen Mother Angelica Billy Graham Huston Smith Watchman Nee This quiz is a follow up to last year's quiz about American Christians from the Eastern Orthodox traditions. Later, dig deeper into the lives of these saints. For example, Bartolome de las Casas was once a slave owner himself, but changed. His failed mission in Puerto Rico compelled him to take holy orders as a Dominican friar. This change eventually led to his new job as the Bishop of Chiapas, Mexico where used his power to fight for civil rights. Reading his works today, it would be easy to imagine what he would say about the Black Lives Matter movement, Puerto Rico's economic woes, or the incresed militarization of U.S.-Mexico border. Download the bonus quiz pdf! http://traffic.libsyn.com/uscitizenpod/2018-easter.pdf Also see: Happy Pascha! A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Eastern Orthodox Christian Americans http://goo.gl/YE8yR8 GOOD FRIDAY Faith-Based Immigration and Refugee Resources http://www.uscitizenpod.com/2018/03/g... Three Passover Haggadahs Celebrating our Immigrant Nation and a POP Quiz http://www.uscitizenpod.com/2018/03/h... Cesar Chavez Day! http://www.uscitizenpod.com/2018/03/c... AND COMING UP IN APRIL Fifteen Questions for April 15 Income Tax http://www.uscitizenpod.com/2017/04/i... Kahoot: Happy Tax Day with Kahoot! http://goo.gl/MmQgfx Citizenship Resources for Earth Day http://goo.gl/iwygwv
10 Citizenship Questions in Honor of Earth Day
http://goo.gl/SEkw48