Saturday, February 22, 2025

Using AI Tools in Citizenship Preparation and Civics Education


Using AI Tools in Citizenship Preparation and Civics Education

CCAE Bay Area 

Jennifer Gagliardi

jgagliardi@musd.org

February 22, 2025


Teaching U.S. Citizenship Preparation 2025

bit.ly/uscit-padlet


Who Can Be US President? Here’s What the Constitution Says

VOA News: Who Can Be US President? Here’s What the Constitution Says 

Casting doubts on his political rivals’ eligibility to run for the U.S. presidency is one of Republican frontrunner and former President Donald Trump’s key campaign strategies. VOA’s Veronica Balderas Iglesias explains how the Constitution lays out who can run for America’s top job.

Friday, February 21, 2025

Presidents' Week Friday: Abraham Lincoln

 

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809  – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States from 1861 to 1865.  During the American Civil War, he worked to keep the United States together and end slavery.

uscitizenpod
Learn more

Vocabulary:


Thursday, February 20, 2025

Presidents' Week Thursday: Presidents in the 1900s

Ameripex '86 International Stamp Show Presidents Series:
The White House, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower

uscitizenpod
Learn more
Vocabulary:

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Presidents' Week Wednesday: Thomas Jefferson


Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States. He wrote the Declaration of Independence, and was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

Learn more

Vocabulary:

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Presidents' Week Tuesday: George Washington


George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was the first President of the United States (1789–1797), the commander-in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.  

uscitizenpod

Learn more 


Vocabulary:



Monday, February 17, 2025

U.S. Citizenship Resources for Presidents' Day



uscitizenpod: Presidents' Day Quiz (2018)
Over 40 USCIS Civics and History Questions about our Presidents

  • US Citizenship Podcast 
    • Presidents’ Day Quiz 2011 Part A: Washington and Lincoln pdf
    • Presidents’ Day Quiz 2011 Part B: Executive Branch and Federalist Period pdf
    • Presidents’ Day Quiz 2011 Part C: The 1800s pdf
    • Presidents’ Day Quiz 2011 Part D: Recent History pdf
    • Presidents’ Day Quiz 2012 Part E: Geography pdf
    • Presidents' Day Quiz 2022 Part F: Two Interviews for Washington's Birthday pdf | podcast | video
    • Presidents' Day Quiz 2022 Part G: Abraham Lincoln pdf
    • Presidents' Day Quiz 2022 Part H: Presidents in the 1900s pdf
    • Presidents' Day Quiz 2022 Part I: The Current President pdf 
    • Angelica Mendoza (Veracruz, Mexico) (Presidents' Day 2013)  pdf  |  video
    • The Presidential Valentine's Day Quiz pdf  | form | video
    • Anh Thi Vu (Vietnam) (Presidents' Day Quiz 2015 and 2016) pdf | mp3
    • Carol Lin (Taipei, Taiwan) mp3
  • Presidents' Day 2017 interviews
    • Hushang Ansary (Iran) pdf
    • Rend al-Rahim (Baghdad, Iraq) pdf
    • Esam Omeish (Tripoli, Libya) (Presidents' Day 2017) pdf
    • Nimco Ahmed (Mogadishu, Somalia) pdf
    • Louay Safi (Damascus, Syria) pdf
    • Safa Aldabyani (Sana'a, Yemen) pdf 

Check back for updates!

Sunday, February 16, 2025

US Citizenship Ceremony in City of Eire


City of Eire: United States Citizenship Ceremony - January 17, 2025 

It is our pleasure to introduce 13 candidates for united states citizenship. They come from 9 countries of the world including… Bhutan, Bosnia And Herzegovina, India, Mexico, Nepal, Philippines, Somalia, Ukraine And Vietnam. Each person has voluntarily come forward to state his or her own personal Declaration of Independence from all former allegiances and loyalties just as our forefathers did over 248 years ago. Each candidate is of good moral character, attached to the ideals and principles of the united states and eligible in all respects for citizenship upon taking the prescribed Oath of Allegiance to the United States and its constitution. Your honor, the candidates for naturalization are now ready to take the oath of renuciation and citizenship.

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Happy Birthday, Susan B. Anthony!



uscitizenpod: Susan B. Anthony Day!

Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820. She was a school teacher who became a social reformer. She worked against slavery and fought for women's rights. The 19th Amendment, which guarantees a woman's right to vote, was named in honor of Susan B. Anthony.

Coin image source:
By US Mint (coin); Heritage Auctions (image) - Heritage Auctions Lot 1449, 29 April 2010, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38677785

USCIS 100:77 What did Susan B. Anthony do?
  • fought for women's rights
  • fought for human rights
USCIS 128:99. Name one leader of the women's rights movement in the 1800s.
  • Susan B. Anthony
  • Elizabeth Cady Stanton
  • Sojourner Truth
  • Harriet Tubman
  • Lucretia Mott
  • Lucy Stone
More resources
  • Archives: Susan B. Anthony and the Struggle for Suffrage lesson
  • ESL Library: Susan B. Anthony lesson
  • Google Arts & Culture: Susan b. Anthony collection
  • Listen and Read Along: Biography - AS - Susan B Anthony - Leader of Women's Rights Movement video
  • LOC: Susan B. Anthony Papers website
  • NPS: Susan B. Anthony website
  • NPS: Women's Rights National Park website
  • Senate: Woman Suffrage Centennial Suffrage Timeline
  • susanb: Susan B. Anthony Museum and House website 
  • VOANews: Pioneers of Women's Voting Rights Highlighted in New Exhibit video
  • VOA Learning English: Flashback: The Fight for Women's Right to Vote multi-media
  • Susan B. Anthony, 1820-1906:  She Led the Fight to Gain Equal Rights for Women, Including the Right to Vote radio transcript
  • VOA Learning English: Susan B. Anthony, 1820 - 1906 quiz
  • uscitizenpod: American Women who Fought for the Right to Vote mp3 / pdf 
  • uscitizenpod: Four American Women in Honor of Women’s History Month pdf
  • VOA Learning English: Thousands Visit Anthony Gravesite on Election Day article
  • Voices of Democracy: Susan B. Anthony, “Is It a Crime for a U.S. Citizen to Vote” (3 April 1873) text and lesson plan

Friday, February 14, 2025

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 19

Happy Birthday, President Abraham Lincoln!

NY Historical: The Citizenship Project: The Declaration of Independence

For those taking the U.S. Citizenship test, knowing and understanding the importance of the Declaration of Independence is essential.

This is the third class of our new semester.  No class next week--no class during Presidents' Week!
Learn more:
  • US Citizenship Resources for Black History post 
  • A Presidential Valentine's Day Citizenship Quiz Month video |  pdf 
  • Susan B. Anthony Day post 
  • US Citizenship Resources for Presidents' Day post 
  • Declaration of Independence resources post

Monday, February 10, 2025

What is birthright citizenship?

VOA News: What is birthright citizenship?

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship — the right of everyone born on U.S. soil to become a citizen automatically. But two judges have placed injunctions on the order, pausing it indefinitely. Here’s more information about birthright citizenship.

Also watch:

VOA Learning English: News Words: Executive Order | Birthright Citizenship


Saturday, February 8, 2025

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 18

History: The Founding of the 13 Colonies

The U.S. is 50 states strong today, but it began as 13 small colonies. Can you name them?

This is the second class of our new semester.  Welcome new students!

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Happy Birthday, Rosa Parks!

What does it mean to stand up for something?
How do you show your support for causes you believe in?



TED-ED: The hidden life of Rosa Parks - Riché D. Richardson

Learn about the life of civil rights activist Rosa Parks— her work with the NAACP, bus boycotts, and her lifelong fight against racial inequality.

Throughout her life, Rosa Parks repeatedly challenged racial violence and the prejudiced systems protecting its perpetrators. Her refusal to move to the back of a segregated bus ignited a boycott that lasted 381 days and helped transform civil rights activism into a national movement. But this work came at an enormous risk— and a personal price. Riché D. Richardson details the life of Rosa Parks.

Lesson by Riché D. Richardson, directed by Eido.

Learn more:

Rosa Parks Day is a U.S observance that celebrates the famous civil rights leader Rosa Parks. In different parts of the United States, this day is celebrated on different days. In some areas, it’s celebrated on Rosa Park’s birthday—which is February 4th, and in other areas, it’s celebrated on December 1st. No matter what day it’s observed, however, it’s a good day to learn about the civil rights movement or to take part in activities that support the civil rights movement.

POP QUIZ:

12. What is the “rule of law”?

42. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? 

55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

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

37. What does the judicial branch do?

23. Name your U.S. Representative.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Saturday, February 1, 2025

US Citizenship Resources for February

Citizenship Resources for Lunar New Year post

US Citizenship Resources for Black History post 
 
A Presidential Valentine's Day Citizenship Quiz Month video |  pdf 

Susan B. Anthony Day post 

US Citizenship Resources for Presidents' Day post 

Friday, January 31, 2025

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

U.S. Citizenship Resources for Lunar New Year


Jan. 14, 2025 - The U.S. Postal Service unveiled the Lunar New Year: Year of the Snake stamp in the historic Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston. The Postal Service printed 21 million stamps that are now on sale at Post Offices and usps.com.

Share the news on social media using the hashtags #LunarNewYearStamp and #LunarNewYearSnake

uscitizenpod:
  •  Lunar New Year Citizens video playlist (over 40 video!)
  • 黎潔芳談她的美國公民資格考試 video
  • 2020 U.S. Citizenship Interview with Yinghong Xu video
  • New Year, New Citizen 2022
  • A Quick Citizenship Interview for Two October Birthday Girls video
  • Candy Tran’s First Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Candy Tran's Second Practice Citizenship Interview video 
  • Candy Tran's Third Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Candy Tran Talks About Her U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Candy Tran nói về cuộc phỏng vấn thi công dân Hoa Kỳ của cô video
  • Chengyu Wang’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Chengyu Wang Practices the N-400 Part 12 video
  • Chúng tôi đã phỏng vấn đậu quốc tịch Mỹ video
  • Hieu Thanh Nguyen’s First Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Hieu Thanh Nguyen’s Second Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Hung Do talks about his U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Hùng Đỗ nói về cuộc Phỏng vấn Quốc tịch Hoa Kỳ của mình video
  • Huong Nguyen's Fourth Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Huong Nguyen Talks about her U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Mayor of Milpitas, Rich Tran, Visits the MAE Citizenship Class video
  • Minh Nhu Nguyen’s First Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • My Ngoc Thi Thach Practices for her U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • N-400 Part 12 Vocabulary Review PLUS Clarification Questions video
  • Nga Tran's U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Nhung Thi Hong Tran's Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Oanh Thi Kim Do's First Practice Citizenship Interview video video
  • Oanh Thi Kim Do's Second Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Oanh Thi Kim Do Practices the USCIS N400 Part 12 video
  • Oanh Thi Kim Do Talks about Her U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Phuong Thi Le's First Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Phuong Thi Le’s Second Practice Citizenship Interview video video
  • Tam Thanh Thai's 1st U.S. Citizenship Practice Interview video
  • Tam Thanh Thai's 2nd U.S. Citizenship Practice Interview video
  • Tam Thanh Thai's 3rd U.S. Citizenship Practice Interview video
  • Tao Guangfang’s First Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Thanh Dinh's First Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Thi Nhung Phan's 1st Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Thi Nhung Phan's 2nd Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Thien Thi Kim Phan--New Citizen!  video 
  • Thoa Dao's Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Thuan Thi Dieu Vo's Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Thuan nói về cuộc phỏng vấn thi công dân Hoa Kỳ của cô video
  • Thuong Phan's First Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Thuy Thu Pham’s First Practice Citizenship Interview video
  • Thuy Thu Pham’s Second Practice Citizenship Interview video video
  • Trick or Treat! A Halloween Citizenship Interview video
  • Van Thi Bach Thach Practices for her U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Van's Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview video
  • Xiao Mei Cen’s Practice U.S. Citizenship Interview video
PLUS
  • A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of the Lunar New Year Part 1 pdf / video
  • A Citizenship Quiz in Honor of the Lunar New Year Part 2 mp3 / video / pdf
  • Citizenship Quiz in Honor of the Lunar New Year (Part 3) pdf
  • Mei-Lin Chen's Quick Interview Based on the N-400r for Lunar New Year  pdf
  • More N-400 and Civics quizzes
Updated 01/30/2025

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

USCIS One Nation, One People PRINTING DIRECTIONS

 

USCIS One Nation, One People PRINTING DIRECTIONS (by uscitizenpod)

Note: If you want the pdf already reformatted, click https://bit.ly/1n1px

Create main text

  1. Download pdf from https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/brochures/OOC_M-1175_CivicsTextbook_8.5x11_V7_RGB_English_508.pdf
  2.  Open pdf in Adobe Acrobat
  3. File > Print. Printer: Adobe PDF
  4.  Pages to Print > Pages: 3 to 44
  5. Page Scaling: Tile Large Pages
  6. Tile Scale: 100% Overlap: 0 in.
  7. Orientation: Portrait
  8. OK to create the PDF. (another pop-up will open--click the prompt--I saved the new file as "1n1p")

With this method, you do not have to manually reorder the pages.

Add Cover and Back

A. Open the Original PDF

  1. Tool > Organize Pages > check Extract as Separate File > Extract (save as Cover)
  2. Tool > Organize Pages >check Extract as Separate File > Extract (save as Back)

B. Open the Newly-created PDF

  1. Tools > Organize Pages > check Insert File > Select Cover > Click open
  2. Insert Pages Pop-up: Location > Before > First > Ok
  3. Tools > Organize Pages > check Insert File > Select Back > Click open
  4. Insert Pages Pop-up: Location > After > Last > Ok

Monday, January 27, 2025

Know Your Rights: Cards, Graphic Lit, Educational Resources, and CA State Ed


Know Your Rights: Cards, Graphic Lit, Educational Resources, and CA State Ed  pdf | bit.ly/uscit-kyr 

I attended a town hall meeting with my US Representative, Ro Khanna, today and several members of the audience expressed grave concerns about immigration raids in their local schools. Here are some immigrant rights resources to start the conversation with your school administrators, staff, teachers, and students. Please share and expand the list. Thanks!

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Executive Orders: The Presidential Power

 

 

The U.S. government consists of three branches designed to keep each other in check, with Congress responsible for passing legislation. But presidents have some power to unilaterally direct government policy by using executive orders. 

Also see:

Friday, January 24, 2025

Comparing America’s biggest immigration waves

VOA News: Comparing America’s biggest immigration waves 

The first three years of the Biden administration saw an immigration surge at a level last seen in the 1850s. How did that historical wave of immigration differ from today's, and what lessons does it hold?

Thursday, January 23, 2025

Happy Birthday, Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution!

Center for Civic Education: The 20th Amendment

The 20th Amendment shortened the period between when the president, vice president, and members of Congress are elected and when they take office. It also specified what would happen if a president-elect were to die between the election and the inauguration.

The following summary was based on the transcript from The 20th Amendment video and simplified by Chat GPT

The 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

  • Ratified: January 23, 1933
  • Purpose: Shortened the time between elections and when newly elected officials take office, reducing the "lame duck" period.
    • A "lame duck" is a public official who is being replaced by someone newly elected but hasn’t yet left office.

Key Changes:

  1. Congressional Terms:

    • Before: Newly elected members of Congress took office on March 4.
    • After: This date was changed to January 3.
  2. Presidential Terms:

    • Before: Newly elected presidents and vice presidents took office on March 4.
    • After: This date was changed to January 20.
  3. Start Date for Congressional Sessions:

    • Before: Sessions began on December 5.
    • After: Changed to January 3, but Congress can alter this date, which it has done many times.
  4. Election Day:

    • Takes place on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, ensuring shorter waits for newly elected officials to assume office.

Special Provisions:

  • Section 3:

    • If the president-elect dies or fails to qualify before taking office, the vice president-elect becomes president.
  • Section 4:

    • If a presidential candidate dies after the election, causing:
      1. A tie in the Electoral College, or
      2. No candidate to win a majority of Electoral College votes,
        Congress decides the winner through a vote.
POP QUIZ

USCIS 100:19.  We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years? 

USCIS 100:22.  We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?

USCIS 100:26.  We elect a President for how many years?

USCIS 100:27.  In what month do we vote for President?*

USCIS 100:30.  If the President can no longer serve, who becomes President?

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 17

USCIS: Apply for Citizenship Online: How to File Your Application for Naturalization Online

On August 28, 2024 USCIS posted a new video: Apply for Citizenship Online: How to File Your Application for Naturalization Online which illustrates how to complete and submit Form N-400 2024, Application for Naturalization through your USCIS Online Account. Kudos USCIS! 

This is the first class of our new semester.  Welcome new students!

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

First Hundred Days

Center for Civic Education: 60-Seconds Civics: How Recent Presidents Began Their Administrations (video) | Episode 4235 audio

Today is the second day of the First Hundred Days of the second Trump Administration.  The first 100 days of a president’s term are seen as an important time to judge how successful they are early on. This tradition began during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency. Trump is expected to sign many executive orders during this time.  Here are some lesson plans and resources that are appropriate for adult education students.

Ballotpedia: Executive orders issued by Donald Trump in the first 100 days of his second term

C-SPAN Classroom: Lesson Plan: President-Elect’s Plans for Their Administration (great graphic organizers)

FDR Library: The First 100 Days (video)

iCivics: Mini-Lesson: The First 100 Days

KQED: Lesson Plan: Trump’s First 100 Days

PBS News Hour: Why 100 days is a benchmark for presidential performance

VOA News: Executive Orders: The Presidential Power (2025)

VOA Learning English: News Words: Executive Order | Birthright Citizenship


Monday, January 20, 2025

January 20: MLK Jr Day and the Inauguration


VOA News: What happens on moving day at White House? 
After Donald Trump is sworn in as president, there will be a swirl of activity at the White House. Over about six hours, the belongings of outgoing President Joe Biden and family will be removed and the residence will be made into a home for the new chief executive. VOA's Dora Mekouar reports 

Washington views every presidential inauguration as different from the previous one, but Monday's inauguration of Donald Trump will really stand out. VOA Senior Washington Correspondent Carolyn Presutti explains. Cameras: Adam Greenbaum, Carolyn Presutti.

White House Historical Association: Inauguration Preview
Stewart McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association, sets the stage for what traditionally takes place on Inauguration Day, and previews the next season of The White House 1600 Sessions. 

Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States and delivers his inaugural address. https://www.c-span.org/ 




Saturday, January 18, 2025

Improving the historic Selma-to-Montgomery Trail


US Dept of Transportation: Improving the historic Selma-to-Montgomery Trail 

In Alabama, we funded a project to pave a major road and improve the historic Selma-to-Montgomery Trail, which will reconnect West Montgomery residents to opportunities. 

From 14 USCIS Questions in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. pdf

11. On March 7, 1965, voting rights marchers were beaten at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama as they tried to march to Montgomery. Later, MLK and John Lewis led civil rights marchers from Selma to Montgomery after a U.S. District judge upheld the right of demonstrators to conduct an orderly march. 

  What are two rights of everyone living in the United States? (USCIS 100:51) 
 a) freedom of assembly 
 b) freedom to beat protestors 
 c) freedom to petition the government
 d) freedom to vote

Friday, January 17, 2025

This Term at Interior

US Dept of Interior: This Term at Interior

This Term at Interior: During the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior has made unprecedented progress for our shared lands, waters, wildlife and the communities they sustain. Together, we have taken bold action, in collaboration with Tribal Nations, states, territories, local communities, private landowners, fishers, outdoor enthusiasts, environmental justice advocates and other important partners across the nation.   

We asked Department leaders to reflect on just a few examples of how our work has improved the health and resilience of the American people.

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

2024-2025 MAE Citizenship Class 16

 

Classroom:

  • Pearson ELT USA Team: UPDATED Naturalization Speaking Test from Voices of Freedom by Bill Bliss.  pg 227-233
  • Voices of Freedom: Ch 12: Citizens Rights and Responsibilities
  • Preparing for the Oath:  Responsibilities (homework)
  • 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
  • A Quick Interview Based on the N-400r of Juah Sarwee from Fish Town, Liberia plus 10qs about US Geography and Symbols (2017) pdf