USCIS offers lesson plans with instructions and teaching strategies for novice and seasoned ESL instructors preparing students for U.S. citizenship. Lessons include content on American Government, American History, and Integrated Civics covered in the Civics Test as well as language needed for the reading and writing portions of the English Test. Handouts with interactive games and student-centered activities encompass all four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Please also visit themed resources for classroom use and curriculum development and instructional materials. To supplement your lessons, download the Famous Americans 8.5″ x 11″ portraits and flash cards.
All material is from and on https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/teachers/lesson-plans-and-activities
Beginning Level
George Washington lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 28, 69, 70, 93, 94, 100.
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Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 8, 9, 61, 62, 69, 64, 71, 96, 97, 99, 100.
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Benjamin Franklin and the U.S. Constitution lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 1, 2, 3, 12, 13, 14, 65, 66, 67, and 68.
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The Bill of Rights and Other Amendments lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 48, 50, 51, 54, and 66.
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Abraham Lincoln lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 60, 72, 74, 75, and 100.
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The Civil War lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 48, 60, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76.
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The U.S. Wars in the 1800s lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 72, 73, 91, 98, and 100.
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The U.S. History Since 1900 lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 11, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 86, and 100.
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Equality and Freedom lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 6, 77, 84, 85, and 100.
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Your Government and You lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 41, 42, 43, 44, 49, 50, 53, 55, 56, 57, and 94.
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The Executive Branch lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 13, 15, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 45, and 46.
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Download answer key (983 KB)
The Legislative Branch lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 47, and 55.
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The Judicial Branch lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 13, 37, 38, 39, and 40.
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The American Symbols and Celebrations lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 52, 64, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100.
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U.S. Geography lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 44, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94.
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Thanksgiving lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 58, 59, and 87.
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Thanksgiving lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test items 58, 59, 64, 96, and 100.
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Thanksgiving lesson plan and handouts for literacy students and low beginners covering civics test item 100.
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Intermediate Level
The Early America lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 10, 58, 59, and 87.
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The Establishing Independence lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 8, 9, 61, 62, 63, 64, 69, 70, and 99.
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Download answer key (46 KB)
The U.S. Constitution lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 41, 42, 65, 66, 67, and 68.
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Download answer key (93 KB)
The U.S. History in the 1800s lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 60, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, and 76.
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Download answer key (1.06 MB)
The U.S. Geography lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 44, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, and 94.
Download handouts (1.59 MB)
Download answer key (1.19 MB)
The American Symbols and Celebrations lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 52, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100.
Download handouts (383 KB)
Download answer key (53 KB)
The Executive Branch lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 13, 15, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 45, and 46.
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Download answer key (273 KB)
The Legislative Branch lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, and 47.
Download handouts (157 KB)
Download answer key (101 KB)
The Judicial Branch lesson plan and handouts for low intermediate and intermediate learners covering civics test items 12, 13, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 66.
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Download answer key (250 KB)