West Wing Week: 11/30/12 or "#My2k, Tweet it!"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 11/30/12 or "#My2k, Tweet it!"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the National Christmas Tree arrived at the White House and holiday decorating got underway, while the President marked Small Business Saturday, and met with leaders of businesses large and small to discuss the importance of avoiding a middle class tax hike next year. He also welcomed the President-Elect of Mexico, his Cabinet, his science and technology council, and the 2012 American Nobel Laureates.

Director Steven Spielberg Brings New Life to President Abraham Lincoln

USCIS 100:75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*

VOAVideo: Director Steven Spielberg Brings New Life to President Abraham Lincoln

Steven Spielberg's Lincoln deviates from the traditional portrayal of the 16th U.S. president by fleshing out the mind of a person willing to risk everything for the abolition of slavery. Spielberg based his film on parts of Team of Rivals, a book by Doris Kearns Goodwin. He makes Abraham Lincoln relevant today by presenting a cunning political mind navigating Washington's all too familiar divisions, gridlock, and power plays. VOA's Penelope Poulou has more.

USCIS 100:73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
▪ the Civil War
▪ the War between the States

USCIS 100:74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
▪ economic reasons
▪ states’ rights

USCIS 100:75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
▪ freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
▪ saved (or preserved) the Union
▪ led the United States during the Civil War

USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
▪ freed the slaves
▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy
▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states

West Wing Week: 11/22/12 or "Hello Burma!"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 11/22/12 or "Hello Burma!"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President made an historic trip to Thailand, Burma, and Cambodia, attended the East Asia Summit, and pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey at the White House with the First Family.

Weekly Address: Wishing the American People a Happy Thanksgiving

wh.gov: Weekly Address: Wishing the American People a Happy Thanksgiving

During this holiday season, President Obama gives thanks in his weekly address for all of the blessings we share as Americans, and expressed his gratitude to the brave men and women who are defending our freedom around the world.

During US Holidays, Volunteers Help Those in Need

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

VOAvideo: During US Holidays, Volunteers Help Those in Need

The holiday giving season is underway in the United States as millions of Americans share time with family and friends to celebrate holidays like Thanksgiving and, later in December, Christmas. But holidays can be a tough time for people who are homeless and hungry. VOA's Chris Simkins reports on some people who are giving back to their community by helping those in need.

USCIS 100:55. 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

President Obama Pardons White House Turkey

wh.gov: President Obama Pardons White House Turkey

The President grants the traditional Thanksgiving pardon to Cobbler, this years Official White House Turkey in a ceremony on the North Portico of the White House. November 21, 2012.

Citizenship Interview 16: Alecia Sotelo (Asuncion, Paraguay)

uscitizenpod: Citizenship Interview 16: Alecia Sotelo (Asuncion, Paraguay)

Basic Citizenship Interview with Alecia Sotelo (Asuncion, Paraguay)

Download Interview 16 mp3

Download Basic Interview PDF

Prepare for your citizenship interview and Thanksgiving with our new multiple choice; CITIZENSHIP TEST--Fall 2012. 

CITIZENSHIP TEST--Fall 2012

Prepare for your citizenship interview and Thanksgiving with our new multiple choice CITIZENSHIP TEST--Fall 2012. This quiz was inspired by my two students from the Seychelles islands--I am so thankful for all of my students!

Download CITIZENSHIP TEST--Fall 2012

West Wing Week: 11/16/12 or "That's Who We Are"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 11/16/12 or "That's Who We Are"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President invited fourteen middle-class Americans to stand with him as he spoke on next steps for our continued economic recovery, honored Veteran's Day with veterans, service members and their families at Arlington National Cemetery, held a news conference in the East Room and traveled to New York to continue to work on recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy.

Thank You Women Vets!

uscitizenpod: Thank You Women Vets!

Listen to the National Anthem and learn more about American Servicewomen, past and present.

Special thanks to:

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, US Navy (December 9, 1906 – January 1, 1992)
Margarethe Cammermeyer, Colonel Washington National Guard
US Rep Tammy Duckworth, Lt Col US Army/Illinois National Guard

For more info, check out www.AmericanWomenVeterans.org

Music: National Anthem by Leann Rimes from “You Light Up My Life” 1997


uscitizenpod: Veterans Day Salute!

Thank You, Veterans!  See the gorgeous Veterans Day posters produced by the Veterans Administration VA.gov and listen to the the anthems from the five branches of the US Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

Veterans Day Salute!

USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

uscitizenpod: Veterans Day Salute!

Thank You, Veterans!  See the gorgeous Veterans Day posters produced by the Veterans Administration VA.gov and listen to the the anthems from the five branches of the US Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

VA.gov Veterans Day posters can be downloaded at
http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp

Music:

• To the Colors by the US Army Band
• Star Spangled Banner by the US Army Band 
• US Army Rolls Along by the US Army Band
• Anchors Aweigh by the US Navy Band
• US Air Force Song by the US Air force Band
• US Marines' Hymn by the US Marine Corps Band
• US Coast Guard Anthem by the US Coast Guard band
• Taps by the US Army Band

USCIS 100:100. Name two national U.S. holidays.

▪ New Year’s Day
▪ Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
▪ Presidents’ Day
▪ Memorial Day
▪ Independence Day
▪ Labor Day
▪ Columbus Day
▪ Veterans Day
▪ Thanksgiving
▪ Christmas

West Wing Week: 11/09/12 or "Our Journey Forward"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 11/09/12 or "Our Journey Forward"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President urged Americans to contribute to the recovery efforts in the Northeast, met with governors, mayors, and other local officials, as well as his Homeland Security team to talk about the response to Sandy, and addressed the nation on election night.

Economy, Immigration Reform High on Obama's Agenda

VOAvideo: Economy, Immigration Reform High on Obama's Agenda

Los Angeles has one of the largest and most diverse immigrant populations in the United States. People from Latin America and countries throughout the Pacific live in this melting pot. Elizabeth Lee visited immigrant neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles to get people's reactions to President Obama spending another four years in the White House.

Democrats Gain Senate Strength, Republicans Hold Onto House

VOAVideo: Democrats Gain Senate Strength, Republicans Hold Onto House

Republicans held onto their strong majority in the House of Representatives in Tuesday's U.S. election, but Democrats took a number of key Senate races, boosting their slim majority in the Senate. This means that President Barack Obama, who was re-elected, will again have to face the country's big challenges with a divided Congress, as VOA congressional correspondent Cindy Saine reports.

Obama Victory Driven by Economy and Turnout

VOANews: Obama Victory Driven by Economy and Turnout

President Barack Obama won re-election to a second term in a close race against Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Growing optimism about the economy and a big voter turnout among Democrats made the difference for Mr. Obama. VOA Chris Simkins has more on the story.

USA Votes 2012: Election Day Call-In Show for English Learners

VOA Learning English Video: USA Votes 2012: Election Day Call-In Show for English Learners

Carolyn Presutti from VOA News, in Boston reporting on the Romney campaign, joins Avi Arditti from VOA Learning English to take calls on Skype. For more comments, go to http://facebook.com/voalearningenglish. For election results, go to http://voanews.com.

Election 2012: A to Z with Citizenship Questions

NEW Video: Election 2012: A to Z with Citizenship Questions

Prepare for the 2012 Presidential Election by reviewing vocabulary and USCIS citizenship questions.  No audio--I want to encourage self-paced study.

See also: 

•  *EASY* Election 2012 ABC ppt and video (without the USCIS questions)
• Election 2012 ABC ppt and video (for intermediate-advanced students)
• The California Proposition 2012 ppt and video
• Electtion 2012 quiz pdf

Election 2012 from A to Z

• Amendment
• Ballot
• Candidate
• Democratic Party
• Election
• Fact & Factoid
• Government
• House of Representatives
• Incumbent
• Justices and Judicial Branch
• Know your Voting Rights
• Law
• Media
• Numbers
• Opposites
• President and Vice-President
• Questions
• Republican Party
• Senate & Senator
• Third Party
• US Electoral College
• Vote
• We the People
• X marks the spot
• Yes / No
• citiZen

EASY* Election 2012 ABC

USCitizenPod: *EASY* Election 2012 ABC ppt and video

Google docs presentation of EASY Election ABC

See also 

• Election 2012 ABC new video
• Election 2012 ABC ppt.
• The California Proposition new video
• The California Proposition 2012 ppt

Election 2012 ABC

uscitizenpod: Election 2012 ABC new video

Prepare for the 2012 General Election with USCitizenPod's Election 2012 ABC ppt.

Google Docs presentation of Election 2012 ABC

See also the Download The California Proposition 2012 ppt

West Wing Week: 11/02/12 or "What's Brightest in America"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 11/02/12 or "What's Brightest in America"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, with the arrival of the historic Super Storm Sandy, the President worked alongside FEMA officials and the American Red Cross, addressed the nation and federal agencies on emergency preparedness and recovery, and visited with some of those affected by the storm.