In planning this history lesson, determine if you want to cover this material in one or two class periods. The lesson focuses on Abraham Lincoln as a man and as a leader during the Civil War. The reading paragraphs have pictures and Word Banks to help students grasp the main ideas of the lesson. This lesson covers more advanced vocabulary than beginners will know, but it is not critical that the students produce every new word. The goal is to engage the students in the topic and help them learn the general knowledge included in the test items. For example, in the paragraph on the Lincoln Memorial, the students do not need to retain the information about the construction and historical use of the memorial. These details are introduced in order to demonstrate that even years after his death, Americans still honor Lincoln’s leadership in significant ways. Covers civics test items 60, 72, 74, 75, and 100.

This lesson on Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution covers Civics Test items from two sections: Principles of American Democracy and Colonial Period and Independence. It briefly introduces the branches of government, a topic which will be covered in more detail in separate lessons. We would recommend teaching the lessons on George Washington and Thomas Jefferson before introducing this lesson. The readings and pictures should help students understand the new concepts. As with previous lessons, the goal for the students is to comprehend and answer the Civics Test items correctly. Coveris civics test items 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 14, 65, 66, 67, and 68.

This lesson explains the concept of amendments and the background of the Bill of Rights in relation to the Constitution. We recommend teaching the lesson on Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution prior to this one. This lesson covers details about the First Amendment and voting rights. Covers civics test items 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 48, 50, 51, 54, and 66.

Decide whether you want to cover this material in two on Abraham Lincoln prior to introducing the Civil War,
or three class sessions. This lesson covers background so that the students are familiar with concepts such as
on the Civil War, including the state of the nation slavery and freedom. The readings and pictures should
leading up to the war, the causes, and the impact on the help the students understand the new vocabulary. As with
nation. There are eight Civics Test items related to this the other history lessons, the goal for the students is to
topic, so the material covered is somewhat dense for a comprehend and answer the Civics Test items correctly,
beginner class. Covers civics test items 48, 60, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76.

There are three separate lessons on the three branches of government. We recommend starting with the Executive Branch, followed by the Legislative Branch and then the Judicial Branch, as some of the information builds on a previous lesson. Also, students are probably most familiar with the executive branch and they may already know the answers to many of the questions covered in this lesson.

This lesson outlines the importance of Susan B. Anthony and Martin Luther King, Jr. in U.S. history. It also presents information about the civil rights movement and reviews the First Amendment rights. Prior to teaching Fighting for Our Rights, we recommend covering two other USCIS civics lessons first: Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution, and Bill of Rights and Other Amendments. Depending on your schedule, you may also want to cover the lessons on Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War as there is related historical information that would help your students better understand the current lesson. Covers civics test items 6, 77, 84, 85, and 100.

In planning this history lesson, consider whether you wish to cover this material in two, three, or four class sessions. This lesson is designed to learn about George Washington as a man and as a leader. It highlights the impact that Washington made on our country as well as his enduring legacy over time. To teach about George Washington and not weave in more detail about him would be a missed opportunity. Besides, it makes for a richer lesson to teach and to learn. Covers civics test items 28, 69, 70, 93, 94, 100.

There are three separate lessons on the branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. We recommend teaching these lessons in that particular order, as some content builds on the previous lesson. Covers civics test items 13, 37, 38, 39, and 40.

The Thanksgiving unit is divided into three separate lessons, Thanksgiving 1—Pilgrims and American Indians, Thanksgiving 2—The Pilgrim Story and My Immigrant Story, and Thanksgiving 3—Traditions. In planning this first lesson, consider whether you wish to cover this material in one or two class sessions. It introduces the Pilgrims’ arrival and first year in North America as well as the life of the American Indians who helped them. On the handouts, you will find Reading Paragraphs and Word Banks with visuals to help illustrate the teaching points and to engage the students in discussion. There is new vocabulary that your students will not need to know for the Civics Test. For example, the readings cover historical background to the Thanksgiving story but these details are not on the test. The story of the Pilgrims’ experience presented here will be explored further in, “Thanksgiving 2—The Pilgrim Story and My Immigrant Story,” when the students have an opportunity to share their own stories. Covers civics test items 58, 59, and 87.

The Thanksgiving unit is divided into three separate lessons, Thanksgiving 1—Pilgrims and American Indians, Thanksgiving 2—The Pilgrim Story and My Immigrant Story, and Thanksgiving 3—Traditions. In planning this first lesson, consider whether you wish to cover this material in one or two class sessions. It introduces the Pilgrims’ arrival and first year in North America as well as the life of the American Indians who helped them. On the handouts, you will find Reading Paragraphs and Word Banks with visuals to help illustrate the teaching points and to engage the students in discussion. There is new vocabulary that your students will not need to know for the Civics Test. For example, the readings cover historical background to the Thanksgiving story but these details are not on the test. The story of the Pilgrims’ experience presented here will be explored further in, “Thanksgiving 2—The Pilgrim Story and My Immigrant Story,” when the students have an opportunity to share their own stories. Covers civics test items 58, 59, 64, 96, and 100.

The Thanksgiving unit is divided into three separate lessons, Thanksgiving 1—Pilgrims and American Indians, Thanksgiving 2—The Pilgrim Story and My Immigrant Story, and Thanksgiving 3—Traditions. In planning this first lesson, consider whether you wish to cover this material in one or two class sessions. It introduces the Pilgrims’ arrival and first year in North America as well as the life of the American Indians who helped them. On the handouts, you will find Reading Paragraphs and Word Banks with visuals to help illustrate the teaching points and to engage the students in discussion. There is new vocabulary that your students will not need to know for the Civics Test. For example, the readings cover historical background to the Thanksgiving story but these details are not on the test. The story of the Pilgrims’ experience presented here will be explored further in, “Thanksgiving 2—The Pilgrim Story and My Immigrant Story,” when the students have an opportunity to share their own stories. Covers civics test item 100.

In addition to teaching about Thomas Jefferson, this lesson covers background on the War of Independence and the Declaration of Independence. We recommend that you teach the unit on George Washington before introducing this lesson. The readings and pictures should help the students understand the new vocabulary. As with the other history lessons, the goal for the students is to comprehend and answer the Civics Test items correctly, not memorize details about Thomas Jefferson’s life and the War of Independence. Covers civics test items 8, 9, 61, 62, 69, 64, 71, 96, 97, 99, 100.

This lesson introduces basic map-reading skills and directional vocabulary. It orients the students to the geography of the United States in comparison to their native country. The students learn vocabulary to discuss geographic features while practicing the answers to Civics Test questions about rivers, oceans, border states, territories, and capitals. There are suggested teaching strategies for small group and whole class activities to practice the new vocabulary using U.S. wall maps and category games with file folders and sticky notes. For the Civics Test, applicants do not need to locate these places on a map, but they do need to understand their existence and be able to correctly answer questions about them. Lastly, the handout Map Directions for the Literacy Level Writing Practice helps beginners practice spelling and handwriting while using key vocabulary from the lesson. Covers civics test items 44, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94.

This lesson covers the five U.S. wars fought in the 1900s and other recent historical events. We recommend teaching the lesson, U.S. Wars in the 1800s, prior to this one. Take time to emphasize the pronunciation difference between the terms 1800s (eighteen hundreds) and 1900s (nineteen hundreds) so that students can distinguish correctly between the two test items, Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s and Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s. Covers civics test items 11, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, and 100.

This lesson covers the four U.S. wars fought during the 1800s, linking each to other civics content, such as U.S. territories, the national anthem, and the celebration of Memorial Day. We recommend teaching the lesson on the Civil War prior to this one. Covers civics test items 72, 73, 91, 98, and 100.