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Reading and Civics

The constitution is the most important law of the United States.

That is what we mean when we say the constitution is the supreme law of the US.

The Constitution has the idea of self-government in the first three words.

Self-government means a government by the people, of the people, and for the people.

It means we have a democracy, and we elect representatives.

The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words? –> We the people

Before the Constitution, the US didn’t have a clear system. States did not agree about important things like money, the military, or elections.

The Constitution was a plan to set up the government. It explains the system of government.

What does the Constitution do? –> It sets up the government.

The founding fathers were leaders who started the United States. They met in 1787 to write a new constitution for the US.

When was the Constitution written? –> 1787

This meeting was called the “Constitutional Convention.”

What happened at the Constitutional Convention? –>The founding fathers wrote the constitution.

After the constitution was written, every state had a vote about it.

Alexander Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers. They explained why the US needed this constitution.

The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers. –> Alexander Hamilton

N-400

Review of vocabulary:

Part 12, Questions 6-10

6. Have you ever failed to file your federal or state taxes?
7. Do you owe any federal or state taxes?
8. Since you became a resident have you ever called yourself a nonresident on your taxes?
9. Have you ever been a member of an organization, party, club, or society in any country?
10. Have you ever been a member of the communist party?
    • Have you ever been a member of any other totalitarian party?
    • Have you ever been a member of a terrorist organization?

Writing

Civics: The New United States

The Declaration of Independence said “the United States is free!”

But, Britain still wanted to keep the 13 colonies.

The British military sent more and more soldiers and ships to America.

The new United States fought the British military. We call this fight The Revolutionary War.

George Washington was the military leader for the United States.

Washington was a hero and a strong leader during this difficult time.

We call him “the father of our country.”

Who is the “Father of Our Country”? –> George Washington

George Washington and the new US army fought the British for 8 years.

The US army won the war, and the British left the United States.

After the war, George Washington became the first president.

Who was the first president? –> George Washington

Benjamin Franklin also helped the new United States. He was a U.S. diplomat.

What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for? –> US diplomat

The new country needed new laws, so the leaders wrote the Constitution.

What is the supreme law of the land? –> The Constitution

Can you answer these questions about the new United States?

1. Who is the “Father of Our Country”?
2. Who was the first President?*
3. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
4. What is the supreme law of the land?

Can you answer the civics questions about this information?

N400: Part 12!

Have you EVER claimed to be a U.S. citizen (in writing or any other way)?
Have you EVER registered to vote in any Federal, state, or local election in the United States?
Have you EVER voted in any Federal, state, or local election in the United States?
Do you now have, or did you EVER have, a hereditary title or an order of nobility in any foreign country?
Have you EVER been declared legally incompetent or been confined to a mental institution?

Do you work tomorrow? 

• Yes, I do.
• No, I don’t.

Are you married?

• Yes, I am.
• No, I’m not.

Have you ever visited another country since you got your greencard?”

• Yes, I have.
• No, I haven’t

When do you usually wake up?

• I usually wake up at 7 am.
• At 7 am.

Civics and Reading: The United States is free

Colonists came to America for freedom.

The colonists overthrew the British Government because of high taxes.

Why did the colonists fight the British? –> High taxes

Some colonists made a new government to fight the British and make a new country.

They made the Declaration of Independence. It said that the United States is free.

What did the Declaration of Independence do? –> It said the United States is free

The Declaration of Independence says that all people have the rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence? –> Life and Liberty

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? –> Thomas Jefferson

The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4th, 1776.

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted? –> July 4th, 1776

That’s why we celebrate Independence Day every July 4th.

When do we celebrate Independence Day?* –> July 4th (July fourth)

Civics Review

1. Why did the colonists fight the British?
2. When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
3. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
4. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
5. Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
6. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Past Tense + Time

Writing

Welcome!

How are you? What did you do today?

Reading and Civics

More than 15,000 years ago, people came to North America, Central America, and South America.

They spread all over America, and created many different cultures and civilizations.

These people were the Native Americans, or American Indians.

Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived? –> American Indians or Native Americans

There were thousands of different American Indian groups, called tribes.

Each tribe had its own traditions, leaders, art, and culture. Some had their own languages, too.

One example is the Pueblo tribe. Today, a Pueblo woman, Deb Haaland, is a US Representative in New Mexico.

Name one American Indian tribe in the United States. –> Pueblo

In England, the leader of the government was a king.

The British king had a lot of power, and many people did not have freedom.

So, many people became colonists, and came to America.

What is one reason colonists came to America? –> Freedom

What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves? –> African people

Why does the flag have 13 stripes? –> There were 13 original colonies

There were 13 original states. Name three. –> New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey

1. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
2. Name one American Indian tribe in the United States.
3. What is one reason colonists came to America?
4. What group of people was taken to America and sold as slaves?
5. Why does the flag have 13 stripes?
6. There were 13 original states. Name three.

N-400 Practice: George Lincoln

Watch and listen to this example interview with an officer and George Lincoln.

• What questions do you hear?
• How many times does George say “excuse me” or a similar question?
• Can you write down all the important numbers?
  • Don’t worry – that’s not a real Social Security Number! 🙂

Writing

• American Indians lived here first.
• People came here to be free.
• People from Africa came as slaves.

N-400 Practice: Antonio Paz

Watch part of Antonio’s interview. What do you think?

Did he do great? Terrible? So-so?

What questions did you hear?

Excuse me, can you explain that?

1. What’s your full legal name?
2. What is your marital status? à Are you married? Single? Divorced? Widowed?
3. How many times have you been married?
4. Was your wife born in the US?
5. Who is your wife’s employer?
6. Do you have children?
7. Were they born in the US? / Was she born in the US?
8. Where do your children live? / Where does your child live?
9. Have you spent any time outside the United States since you became a permanent resident?

Civics Review: Oregon Leaders

Reading+Civics: Places

Where is the Statue of Liberty? –> New York

Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. –> Mississippi

Name one US Territory. –> Puerto Rico

Why does the flag have 50 stars? –> Because we have 50 states

The Day of the Interview

https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/teachers/educational-products/uscis-naturalization-interview-and-test-video

You know that you should come _____________ minutes early, and the address of USCIS in Portland is _________ ________ Overton St.

But when you come to USCIS for the interview, what should you bring?

Choose 2 out of 3 (2 are correct, 1 is not necessary). For example:

Passports and ID           

More helpful documents

Other legal papers

Selective Service

For men between 18-31, you should bring proof of Selective Service Registration. Please call Selective Service at 1-847-688-6888 or visit https://www.sss.gov/Registration/Check-a-Registration/Verification-Form

2020 Updates

Writing Practice

Citizenship Process

1. Have you filled out the N-400?
2. Have you sent the N-400?
3. Have you gotten the receipt of the N-400?
4. Have you gotten an appointment for biometrics?
5. Have you gone to the USCIS office for biometrics?
6. Have you gotten an appointment for your interview?
7. Have you gone to the USCIS office for an interview?
8. Have you taken the oath of citizenship?

Review: Current Leaders

Reading+Civics: Places

What is the capital of the United States? –> Washington, D.C.

What is the capital of your state? –> Salem

What ocean is on the West Coast of the United States? –> The Pacific

What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States? –> The Atlantic

Name one state that borders Canada. –> Washington

Name one state that borders Mexico. –> California

Where is the Statue of Liberty? –> New York

Name one of the two longest rivers in the United States. –> Mississippi

Name one US Territory. –> Puerto Rico

Why does the flag have 50 stars? –> Because we have 50 states

N-400 Questions

1. Have you ever claimed to be a US Citizen?
2. Are either of your parents US Citizens?
   1. If yes, were your parents married before your 18th birthday?
3. Where do you work?
4. When was your last trip outside the United States?
5. Do you remember what day you returned?

Dictation

What is your name?

My name is Eric.

Have you used any other names?

Many people call me “teacher” 🙂

About Citizenship

What are the 4 parts of the citizenship interview?

Reading about Civics

The federal government meets in Washington, D.C.

It is the capital of the United States.

What is the capital of the United States? –> Washington, D.C.

The largest city in Oregon is Portland, but it is not the capital.

The capital of Oregon is Salem.

What is the capital of your state? –> Salem

The leader of the federal government is the president.

What is the name of the President of the United States now? –> Donald Trump / Trump

The two major political parties are Democratic and Republican.

What is the political party of the President now? –> Republican

The Vice President works with the President.

If the President can no longer serve, the Vice President becomes president.

What is the name of the Vice President of the United States now? –> Mike Pence

Review Civics

Writing Practice

Civics Reading

Unfortunately, the United States fought many wars from 1900-1999.

The United States fought in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the first Gulf War.

World War I was in Europe, from 1914-1918. The United States joined world War I in 1917. Woodrow Wilson was president during World War I.

On October 29th, 1929 the Great Depression started in the United States. The stock market crashed and many banks lost all their money. Millions of Americans lost all their money and their jobs.

In this difficult time, Franklin Roosevelt ran for president. He helped start Social Security, food stamps, and many protections for all Americans.

Roosevelt was very popular because he helped Americans during the Great Depression.

He was elected president four times!

He was still president on December 7, 1941, when the Navy of Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

After that, the United States joined the fight of World War II. The United States fought Japan, Germany, and Italy.

Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, before the end of the war. Because Roosevelt could no longer serve, the vice president became the president.

One important general in World War II was Dwight D. Eisenhower. After the war, he ran for president. He was president from 1953 to 1961.

N-400 Questions Part 12: 33-44

1. Have you EVER been removed, excluded, or deported from the United States?
2. Have you EVER been ordered removed, excluded, or deported from the United States?
3. Have you EVER been placed in removal, exclusion, rescission, or deportation proceedings?
4. Are removal, exclusion, rescission, or deportation proceedings (including administratively closed proceedings) currently pending against you?
5. Have you EVER served in the U.S. armed forces?
6. Are you a male who lived in the United States at any time between your 18th and 26th birthdays? (This does not include living in the United States as a lawful nonimmigrant.)
   1. If you answered “Yes,” when did you register for the Selective Service?
   2. If you answered “Yes,” but you did not register with the Selective Service System (see the N400 application)