Most Americans could not pass a citizenship test, a major issue for the country

 

CBS: Most Americans could not pass a citizenship test, a major issue for the country 

"CBS This Morning" co-host Tony Dokoupil tests voters on their civic knowledge and talks to experts about why constitutional education is crucial for our democracy.

Nga Tran's U.S. Citizenship Interview

 

uscitizenpod: Nga Tran's U.S. Citizenship Interview

Nga Trans answers questions from the Basic Citizenship Interview, plus 10 Civics Questions, and then talks about her Citizenship interview.

Biden’s First Week as President

 

 

VOANews: Biden’s First Week as President: Reversals of Trump Policies Amid Talk of Unifying Country 

Will President Biden’s actions bridge the country’s political divisions or deepen the rifts? 

POP QUIZ

100:28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

100:46. What is the political party of the President now?

100:33. Who signs bills to become laws?

100:45. What are the two major political parties in the United States?*

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

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

100:11. What is the economic system in the United States?*

100:47. What is the name of the Speaker of the House of Representatives now?

100:17. What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?*

100:16. Who makes federal laws?

Citizenship Winter Class 6

 

uscitizenpod: Citizenship Interview 15: Angelica Mendoza

Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT

For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 

Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

https://bit.ly/maecit

Warm-up

• read and write pdf
• si.edu: Preparing for the Oath quiz
• Cambridge Ventures Arcade: Citizenship Preparing for the N-400 website

N-400

• Easy Interview
• Easy Interview
• Interview B-2
• Entrevista B-2
• pptx: https://goo.gl/b2BMT1

Civics

• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Establishing Independence
• USCIS: Establishing Independence (intermediate)

Integration

• The Founders Quiz
• Citizenship Quiz B-2
• Citizenship Interview Quiz with Angelica Mendoza pdf

Extra Credit

VOANews: Declaration of Independence - An 'Expression of the American Mind'

VOANews: Rare Documents Commemorate Fourth of July

TeachCove.com: US History 11 - The Declaration of Independence

TED-ED: What you might not know about the Declaration of Independence - Kenneth C. Davis (video)
In June 1776, a little over a year after the start of the American Revolutionary War, the US Continental Congress huddled together in a hot room in Philadelphia to talk independence. Kenneth C. Davis dives into some of the lesser known facts about the process of writing the Declaration of Independence and questions one very controversial omission.

Dr. Jill Biden Steps Into First Lady Role

 

 

VOANews: Dr. Jill Biden Steps Into First Lady Role 

The wife of recently inaugurated President Joe Biden has made clear that education policy will be a priority for her in the White House

Citizenship Winter Class 5

 

VOANews: Why do Americans celebrate the July 4th?

Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT

For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 

Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

https://bit.ly/maecit

N-400

• Beginning Interview
• Interview A-5
• Entrevista A-5
• Easy Interview
• Interview B-1
• Entrevista B-1
• pptx: https://goo.gl/b2BMT1

Civics

• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: Establishing Independence
• USCIS: Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence (beginning)

Integration

• A Quiz based on the A-5 Mix-and-Match N-400 Interview pdf
• The Founders Quiz
• Nithya Deepak: Quick Interview Based on the N-400r plus 10qs for Independence Day pdf

Extra Credit

VOANews: Declaration of Independence - An 'Expression of the American Mind'

VOANews: Rare Documents Commemorate Fourth of July

TeachCove.com: US History 11 - The Declaration of Independence

TED-ED: What you might not know about the Declaration of Independence - Kenneth C. Davis (video)
In June 1776, a little over a year after the start of the American Revolutionary War, the US Continental Congress huddled together in a hot room in Philadelphia to talk independence. Kenneth C. Davis dives into some of the lesser known facts about the process of writing the Declaration of Independence and questions one very controversial omission.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

 

 

ABC 7: Arnold Schwarzenegger calls Trump 'worst president' ever, 'failed leader' after Capitol riot 

 

In a seven-minute video calling for unity following Wednesday's siege at the US Capitol, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said President Donald Trump will be remembered as the worst President in US history and urged Americans to offer their support to President-elect Joe Biden. (read more) 

In 2008, my used the information from this article Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to complete this practice Basic N-400 script pdf

Naturalization Ceremonies May Look A Bit Different But They Still Mean So Much For Those Becoming US

 

 

CBS Denver: Naturalization Ceremonies May Look A Bit Different But They Still Mean So Much For Those Becoming US

Amanda Gorman Reads 'The Hill We Climb'

 

 

VOA Learning English: Amanda Gorman Reads 'The Hill We Climb'

When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry, a sea we must wade.

We’ve braved the belly of the beast.

We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace,

and the norms and notions of what “just” is isn’t always justice.

And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it.

Somehow we do it.

Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken,

but simply unfinished.

We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.

'Never been more optimistic': speeches, songs and celebrations cap Biden's inauguration day – as it happened

Read more

And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine,

but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.

We are striving to forge our union with purpose.

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man.

And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.

We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.

We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.

We seek harm to none and harmony for all.

Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:

That even as we grieved, we grew.

That even as we hurt, we hoped.

That even as we tired, we tried.

That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.

Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.

Scripture tells us to envision that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree and no one shall make them afraid.

If we’re to live up to our own time, then victory won’t lie in the blade, but in all the bridges we’ve made.

That is the promise to glade, the hill we climb, if only we dare.

It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit.

It’s the past we step into and how we repair it.

We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation rather than share it.

Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy.

This effort very nearly succeeded.

But while democracy can be periodically delayed,

it can never be permanently defeated.

In this truth, in this faith, we trust,

for while we have our eyes on the future, history has its eyes on us.

This is the era of just redemption.

We feared it at its inception.

We did not feel prepared to be the heirs of such a terrifying hour,

but within it, we found the power to author a new chapter, to offer hope and laughter to ourselves.

So while once we asked, ‘How could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?’ now we assert, ‘How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?’

We will not march back to what was, but move to what shall be:

A country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free.

We will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation.

Our blunders become their burdens.

But one thing is certain:

If we merge mercy with might, and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change, our children’s birthright.

So let us leave behind a country better than the one we were left.

With every breath from my bronze-pounded chest, we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one.

We will rise from the golden hills of the west.

We will rise from the wind-swept north-east where our forefathers first realized revolution.

We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states.

We will rise from the sun-baked south.

We will rebuild, reconcile, and recover.

In every known nook of our nation, in every corner called our country,

our people, diverse and beautiful, will emerge, battered and beautiful.

When day comes, we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid.

The new dawn blooms as we free it.

For there is always light,

if only we’re brave enough to see it.

If only we’re brave enough to be it.

transcript

President Joseph Biden Inaugural Address Highlights

 

VOA Learning English: President Joseph Biden Inaugural Address Highlights

Citizenship Winter Class 04

 

VOANews: Kamala Harris Makes History as First Black and Indian American Woman Vice President

Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT

For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 

Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

https://bit.ly/maecit

N-400

• Beginning Interview
• Interview A-4
• Entrevista A-4

Civics

• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: A Growing Country
• USCIS: Early America (Intermediate)

Integration

• N-400 Quiz A-4 pdf
• A Third Citizenship Quiz in Honor of Native American Heritage Month (2018) pdf 

Extra Credit

• ESL Library: Kamala Harris .
• VOANews: 7 Things You Didn't Know About Kamala Harris
• VOANews: The Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris | Plugged In with Greta Van Susteren
• VOA Learning English: President Joseph Biden Inaugural Address Highlights

Inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris

 

  

VOANews: Biden Sworn In as 46th US President

 

 

VOANews: Kamala Harris Sworn In as 1st Black, South Asian Woman VP

The Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

10K viewsStreamed 3 hours ago

0:51NOW PLAYING

Former Presidents Arrive for Biden Inauguration

3.3K views4 hours ago

2:46NOW PLAYING

Kamala Harris Makes History as First Black and Indian American Woman Vice President

790 views5 hours ago

0:43NOW PLAYING

President-Elect Biden Departs for Church Service

1.3K views5 hours ago

Citizenship Winter Class 03

 

VOANews: US Prepares for Biden Presidential Inauguration

Fall Citizenship Zoom Class is Tue and Thu 7:00-8:30 pm PDT

For one-on-one interviews 6:00-7:00 pm--email Teacher Jennifer jgagliar@musd.org

Zoom: ID: 597 738 4168, Password: 226317 

Direct Link to the Winter Citizenship Zoom Class 

https://bit.ly/maecit

N-400

• Beginning Interview
• Interview A-3
• Entrevista A-3

Civics

• si.edu: Preparing the Oath: A Growing Country
• USCIS: Early America (Intermediate)

Integration

• N-400 Quiz A-3 pdf
• Colonial Quiz pdf

Extra Credit

• ESL Library: Joe Biden .
• VOANews: Presidential Demographics: How Does Biden Compare article  video

Citizenship Resources for Martin Luther King, Jr Day

updated 01-05-2022

uscitizenpod: Three Questions for MLK Day
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! 

VOA Learning English: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial

VOA The King Legacy Marching Forward series:

• US Honors Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. 
• Contributions of Civil Rights Workers Recognized 
• Young People Look at the Legacy of Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr 
• Southern Communities Rebound From Racial Barriers 
• African American Remember Discrimination of the Past 
• King's Role in Obama's Rise to Power
• Search for much more at VOANews and VOA Learning English
• Americans Mark Martin Luther King Holiday Amid Pandemic, Political Violence (2021)
• New Film Explores FBI’s Secret Effort Against Martin Luther King Jr. (2021)

Also check out:

• American English at State: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• BingoMaker: Martin Luther King, J. Bingo Cards
• Census.gov "I Have a Dream" – Learning About Martin Luther King Jr.
• Census.gov: Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday and Day of Service: January 20, 2020
• ELCivics.com: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Lesson
• ESLHolidayLessons.com: MLK Day
• ESLlibrary.com: Martin Luther King Jr
• ESOL Courses: A Reading about Martin Luther King Jr 
• ESLVideo.com: Martin Luther King
• ESLVideo.com: Martin Luther King Jr
• FIS.edu: Correct a MLK essay
• ListenAndReadAlong: Biography - Martin Luther King, Junior, Part 1 of 2 - Legacy of a Leader
• ListenAndReadAlong: Biography - Martin Luther King, Junior, Part 1 of 2 - Legacy of a Leader 
• MLK Institute @ Stanford: Liberation Curriculum (lesson plans and resources)
• A TIME TO BREAK SILENCE: The Essential Works of Martin Luther King, Jr., for Students (free pdf)
• PBS: The American Experience: Citizen King
• NPG.si.edu: One Life Martin Luther King, Jr
• NPS.gov: Martin Luther King Day--Plan Your Visit to a National Park!
• NPS.gov: Martin Luther King Jr National Historical site, Georgia
NPS.gov: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (U.S. National Park Service, Washington DC)
• si: Preparing the Oath: USCIS 100:84. 100:85
• ThingLink: "Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." Advanced ESL 
• UrbanIntellecturals: Stories, News, Lesson Plans, and more.  Check out their new Flash cards.
• USCIS: Fighting for Our Rights
• USCIS: Equality and Freedom 
  
• wh.gov (Obama): Participating in a Service Project for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• wh.gov: 10th Anniversary celebration of the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (2021)

Drive-up US citizenship ceremonies ease backlog

 

AP: Drive-up US citizenship ceremonies ease backlog 

It's long been a joyous and patriotic event when someone takes the oath to become a U.S. citizen, like a high school graduation for new Americans. 

Now, it's like a visit to a fast-food restaurant.

Thousands of people have become U.S. citizens in drive-up ceremonies under the social-distancing rules that govern life amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"At first, I was disappointed, because I thought, 'Oh, I'm not going to be able to have the picture in front of the emblem and the flag and all of that.' But then I thought, 'How great is it that they're making this opportunity available that I don't have to wait?' So actually, it was fine," Anita Rosenberger said after affirming the oath of citizenship during a drive-up ceremony in Detroit.

The 60-year-old Rosenberger came to the U.S. from England as a child in 1968.

She was among a few dozen who became new Americans on a recent afternoon inside the parking garage of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services complex in the city.

Cars inched along until arriving in front of a face shield-wearing U.S. District Judge Laurie J. Michelson (MEYE'-kehl-sehn), who recited the oath of citizenship to new citizen candidates situated in their cars, trucks and vans.

"This is a new experience, like we have done it in the building with a group of people. And this is a different feeling. But I'm very happy that they're handling it safely," said Bahar Khan, who witnessed his friend Khadiza Akter Suma of Bangladesh become a citizen.

The drive-up ceremonies are helping to ease a backlog. 

But they haven't dampened enthusiasm. 

People tell The Associated Press they are thrilled with their new status after already long waits that were prolonged further by the outbreak. 

Many more are waiting to become citizens -- and new voters. 

"I wanted to become a citizen partly just to get involved in the whole voting process. I've been here a long time. And I thought, 'You know what? I meant to do it for a long time.' And finally, it's like, 'This is the year to do it,'" said Margaret Arnold, originally from Scotland, who affirmed the oath in Detroit.

But they could be held up by a budget crisis that could soon largely shut down USCIS.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork