In this Becoming a Citizen Blog & Video Response activity, students studying the United States citizenship and naturalization process read a primary source of a young woman recounting her experience becoming a United States citizen, as well as watch a fun YouTube Video of natural-born citizens trying to pass a Citizenship Test. Reading and viewing guides check student comprehension, and students reflect on the naturalization process: how difficult it is, and whether natural-born citizens take their citizenship for granted. This resource makes a great enrichment activity (or sub plan!) for middle school Civics, American Government, and even American History students studying United States citizenship!
This resource is compatible with the Florida State Standard for Middle School Civics:
- SS.7.CG.2.1: Define the term “citizen,” and explain the constitutional means of becoming a U.S. citizen.
✯ This Becoming a Citizen Blog & Video Response activity includes:
- QR codes and shortened URLs to access the content.
- Comprehension and reflective questions.
In this activity, students:
✯ Read an article written by a young woman who underwent the Naturalization Process to become a U.S. citizen.
- Includes close-read comprehension questions, including those that ask for textual evidence.
✯ Watch a video where Naturalized Citizens challenge Natural-Born Citizens to answer the questions commonly asked in the Citizenship Test.
- Students answer both comprehension questions (How many questions are on the Citizenship Test? How many must an applicant answer correctly?) as well as introspective questions that make them think about the naturalization process.
- An example reflection question: U.S. News claims that only 39% of natural-born citizens would be able to pass the U.S. Citizenship test. That means that about 2 out of every 3 people would fail. Were you surprised that the natural-born citizens in the video couldn’t answer the questions? Why or why not?
This is an interesting, challenging resource meant to be a little extra enrichment for students that would like to know more about the Naturalization process and really think about the experience of a Naturalized citizen!
This resource comes as a printable, non-editable PDF and includes an Answer Key. A digital version is included through TPT Easel, which can be assigned directly to your Google Classroom or shared with students via a link!
Other Happy Teacher Resources you might enjoy:
✩ Standards-Based Bell Ringers for Civics & American Government | Quarter One
✩ Who is a Citizen? Civics & Citizenship Article & Review for American Government
✩ Who is a Citizen? Civics & Citizenship Matching Activity for American Government
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