Citizenship

1. Citizenship What does it mean to be a member of something?

2. How does it feel to be a member of something?

3. Being a citizen of the United States means, in a way, that you are “members” of this country.

4. Think about what it means to be a “member” of the U.S. and how it compares to being a member of something else to which a person can belong.

5. What does the image represent? How do you know? What does this image have to do with U.S. citizenship?

6. What does the image represent? How do you know? What does this image have to do with U.S. citizenship?

7. What does the image represent? How do you know? What does this image have to do with U.S. citizenship?

8. Pass out Understanding Citizenship #2 in folder

9. The 14th amendmentis a very important amendment that defines what it means to be a US citizen and protects certain rights of the people. There are three important “clauses” in the 14th amendment, each of which are still important today. A clause is a sentence in any part of our constitution.

10. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

11. Read the passage again and follow along using your activity sheet and highlight any words that help you define the term “citizen”.

12. The 14th Amendment is a very important amendment that defines what it means to be a U.S. citizen and protects certain rights of the people. The Citizenship Clause gives individuals born in the United States – but especially at that time, African Americans – the right to citizenship. Before the 14th amendment, African Americans could not become citizens, and this limited the rights of those who were able to escape slavery and become free. This clause allows all people born in the United States to be U.S. citizens. Once you have American citizenship, it cannot be taken from you by Congress or other authorities, unless you lie to the government during the process to get U.S. citizenship. Otherwise, everyone who becomes an American citizen stays an American citizen, unless they give it up themselves.

13. Read the passage for a second time. Highlight the words from this passage that helps define the term “citizen”.

14. Use the words or phrases you highlighted from both passages and then write a definition of citizen in your own words and in complete sentences on your activity sheet.

15. What does it mean to be a resident?

16. Resident: someone who lives in a place for a minimum period of time

17. “Citizenship: Just the Facts” reading from iCivics

18. Read the first paragraph independently and write down the three ways of becoming a citizen in the United States on your activity sheet.

19. Share?

20. Being born in the United States is also known as the “law of soil.”

21. Being born to a mother who is a U.S. citizen is also known as the “law of blood.”

22. Going through the naturalization process allows immigrants to become U.S. citizens.

23. Animmigrantis a person who comes to a country to live there permanently.

24. There are also people who are considered aliens. Aliens are persons living in the U.S. who are not citizens. Aliens can be in the U.S. for temporary purposes (a job or visiting for a certain period of time) or as a legal permanent resident (someone who is permanently living in the U.S. legally but not a citizen).

25. Read the second paragraph independently and summarize the naturalization process on your student activity sheet.

26. Share?

27. Naturalization Process

28. *Be 18 years old*Have already been granted legal permanent residency*Have continuous residency in the U.S. for five years *Be of good moral character*Be able to speak and read basic English *Demonstrate knowledge of U.S. history and government by passing an exam*Be faithful to the principles of the U.S. Constitution*Have a favorable disposition toward the U.S.*Take the Oath of Allegiance

29. Look closely at the Oath of Allegiance in the “Citizenship: Just the Facts” reading. Let’s read it aloud together, making sure to pay attention to the vocabulary words highlighted in the document.

30. Citing evidence from the text, how would you explain the Oath of Allegiance in your own words?

31. Why do you think the Oath is part of the naturalization process? What are new citizens promising to do by making this pledge?

32. “Persons Naturalized by State of Residence: Fiscal Years 2010 to 2012” from the Department of Homeland Security: http://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/ois_natz_fr_2012.pdf

34. What information is being presented in this table? How do you know? How would you summarize what you are seeing? Where do naturalized citizens live?

35. What do you notice about Florida? How might states be impacted by naturalized citizens?

36. statistic from ImmigrationPolicy.org: In 2008, 18.8% of registered voters in Florida were “New Americans” (naturalized citizens or U.S. born children of immigrants), http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/docs/new_americans_in_florida_2013.pdf

37. How might this group impact an election? If you were running for office in Florida, would it be important for you to know that 18.8% of the registered voters were “New Americans”? Might it impact the issues you focus on in your campaign?

38. Pass out the “Video Viewing Guide” student activity sheet

39. Video from the White House of President Obama’s remarks at a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members on July 4, 2012: (Take notes on your “Video Viewing Guide” while watching the video)

40. Why might the President say this is one of his favorite things to do?What is the significance of holding the ceremony on the 4th of July?Who are some of the individuals he mentions in his remarks? Which of their stories interests you and why?

41. Show Video:President Obama Speaks at a Naturalization Ceremony July 4, 2012

44. Common MisconceptionsAny person living in the United States is a legal citizen.An alien is a being from outer space.American citizens have no responsibilities or obligations to the United States or their community.

45. “Preparing for the Oath” student activity sheethttp://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/oralhistories.html

46. Assign each group one of the following naturalized citizens: Maria del Carmen Cossu, Magdalena Mieri, or Gunter Waibel.

47. Watch the video oral history of your assigned citizen and answer the assigned questions on the “Preparing for the Oath” student activity sheet

48. A spokesperson from each group will report out to the class about the person whose oral history they heard. Make sure you answer all of the assigned questions from your activity sheet.

49. This is the Smithsonian’s Preparing for the Oath website. Go to this website on your computers: http://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/oralhistories.html#MCC

50. Checking for UnderstandingWrite a well-crafted response using the following prompt with at least 4 sentences: