Why Do So Many Americans Not Know How Their Government Works?

PBS: Why Do So Many Americans Not Know How Their Government Works? 

In this episode of Civics Made Easy, Ben Sheehan explores America’s civic knowledge gap and why so many adults and students struggle to understand how our government works. Through conversations with civics education experts and a look at post-WWII civic engagement, he highlights why government literacy matters—and shares practical steps anyone can take to become a more informed and engaged citizen. PBS: Civics Made Easy playlist

New Year, New Citizen!

New Year's Day

• A Citizenship Quiz for New Year’s Day (2015/2016) mp3 / pdf
• Light Up 2022: New Year, New US Citizen! (2022) video
• New Year, New US Citizen (2018) audiogram
• New Year, New Citizen with Dr. Patricia Hernandez (2021) video
• New Year, New Citizenship Interview with Teacher Lisa Lau (2013) video
• wh.gov: A New Year's Message from President Biden (2022) video
• VOA Learning English: Words and Their Stories: What Does 'Auld Lang Syne' Mean? (New Year's Eve song) (2019)

The US National Anthem

NHL: Pentatonix sings U.S. National Anthem at Lake Tahoe

The Pentatonix sing the National anthem before a special hockey game between the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers in Lake Tahoe, California.

USCIS 100:98. What is the name of the national anthem?

USCIS 100:53. What is one promise you make when you become a United States citizen? 

Make the resolution to become a U.S. citizen in the upcoming New Year!

Happy Birthday Gadsen Puchase!

 

NBC News Learn: The Gadsden Purchase 

On December 30, 1853, the United States and Mexico signed an agreement called the Gadsden Purchase. Through this agreement, the United States bought land from Mexico to build a railroad in the southern part of the country. The land later became part of Arizona and New Mexico. This purchase helped complete the United States as one nation stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Remembering President Jimmy Carter

 

VOA News: Looking back at Jimmy Carter's life and legacy

One year today, former President Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100. VOA’s Kane Farabaugh extensively covered the former president’s life and post-presidential career promoting global health and democracy and has more on the legacy of the 39th president of the United States.

Also see:

• Carter Center: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter: A Remarkable Post-Presidency (annotated timeline)
• PBS American Experience: Jimmy Carter | Full Documentary 
• PBS News: A look at Carter's accomplishments as president and his legacy as a human rights champion
• VOA Learning English: Jimmy Carter, Outsider
• VOA News: Americans remember Jimmy Carter
• WH: President Biden Delivers Remarks on the Passing of Former President Jimmy Carter

Happy Birthday President Woodrow Wilson!

VOA Learning English: America's Presidents - Woodrow Wilson 

Woodrow Wilson (December 28, 1856 – February 3, 1924) was the 28th president of the United States between 1913 and 1921. He was born in Virginia, grew up in Georgia, and became preside of Princeton University in New Jersey. Although Wilson supported peace, the United States entered World War I in 1917.  After the war, Wilson helped start the League of Nations. In 1919, he won the Nobel Prize for Peace.  In 1920, women gained the right to vote in America.

Learn More

• C-SPAN Classroom: Woodrow Wilson
• ESL Library: Woodrow Wilson (subscription required)
• Smithsonian: Woodrow Wilson (collection)
• VOA Learning English: Woodrow Wilson

POP QUIZ

100:15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?

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

100:64. There were 13 original states. Name three.

100:41. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?

100:32. Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?

100:78. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*

100:79. Who was President during World War I?

100:48. There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.

Kwanzaa

uscitizenpod: Two Citizenship Questions for a Joyous Kwanzaa! | pdf

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration (Dec 25 to Jan 1) held in the United States to honor universal African heritage and culture. 

Kwanzaa is a celebration that came out of the black nationalist movement of the 1960s. 

It was created as a way to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage.

Every night, people light a candle on a kinara (candle holder) which represent Kwanzaa's principles: 

Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith. (source)

Also checkout

• uscitizenpod: US Citizenship Resources for African-American History Month and Citizenship, Immigration, and Government Resources in African Languages 
• ESL Library: Kwanzaa
• Google Arts and Culture: Sharing the Timeless Principles of Kwanzaa through Stamps and Buttons
• NMAAHC: Kwanzaa
• Share America: American celebrate African Heritage during Kwanzaa
• uscitizenpod: Citizenship Quiz for Kwanzaa mp3 | pdf
• VOA News: African Americans Celebrate Kwanzaa
• 

Boxing Day

USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?

uscitizenpod: Boxing Day

Boxing Day is a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on December 26, the day after Christmas Day in England and its former colonies. December 26 is also the feast day of St. Stephen who collected food and clothing and gave them to the poor.  On Boxing Day, workers would received boxes of food and small gifts from their employers.  Frequently, there were used  clothing or blankets in the boxes.

Recently, Boxing Day has gained popularity in America.  Many families "box up" unused clothes, electronics, and furniture and donate them to charitable organizations such as Goodwill.

Goodwill was started in 1902 by the Reverend Edgar J. Helms of Morgan Methodist Chapel in Boston. Helms and his congregation collected used household goods and clothing being discarded in wealthier areas of the city, then trained and hired the unemployed or poor to repair them. The products were then redistributed to those in need.

Today, Goodwill has become an international nonprofit that is funded by thrift stores and provides more than 300,000 people with job training and community services each year.  Goodwill also offers free online job skills and technology courses--learn more at gcflearnfree.org 

In the spirit of Boxing Day, we encourage you to donate your unused goods or volunteer with your local civic or community groups.

Boxing Day Resources

• EnglishClass101: Boxing Day
• ESL Holiday Lessons: Boxing Day
• ESL Library: Boxing Day

Goodwill Industries

• Goodwill
• GFCLearnFree
• GCFLearnFree YouTube Channel
• GCFAprendeLibre YouTube Channel

More organizations in San Jose/Milpitas that accept household goods donations and need volunteers--check your local area for similar organizations!

• American Cancer Society Discovery Shop
• Habitat for Humanity
• Hope Services
• Humane Society
• Resource Area For Teaching: RAFT
• Sacred Heart Community Service
• Salvation Army
• Second Harvest Food Bank
• Santa Clara County Library District