Quick Start Guide

Quick Start Guide
Welcome to the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit!
The Civics and Citizenship Toolkit is a collection of
educational resources developed by U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS) to help permanent
residents learn more about the United States and prepare
for the naturalization process. Many of the Toolkit’s
products can also serve as supplemental teaching tools
for volunteers and adult educators in a classroom or
community program setting.

resource. This
practical guide offers
recommendations
for organizations
interested in
establishing English
as a Second Language
(ESL) and civics and citizenship classes for immigrants.

This Quick Start Guide provides suggestions on how to
use the Toolkit and its materials in your community. A
detailed listing of each of the items included in the
Toolkit is also provided. Many programs, especially
those new to serving immigrant communities, will
find the publication Expanding ESL, Civics, and Citizenship
Education in Your Community: A Start-Up Guide to be a valuable

As an initial step, we encourage you to review both
this Quick Start Guide and the more detailed Expanding ESL,
Civics, and Citizenship Education in Your Community: A Start-Up
Guide. You will find many uses for the Toolkit both as a
supplement to classroom instruction and as a standalone resource for self-study. To explore some ideas,
choose from the topics below.

Providing Basic Information Developing Content for
to the Immigrant
Classes
Community
Before embarking on a new class or
program, try assessing the needs of
the community and exploring the
resources already available. To guide
your research, browse through the
publication Welcome to the United States:
A Guide for New Immigrants and the
website www.welcometousa.gov to
review topics of special interest for
immigrants. Topics may include:
• Life in the United States
• Education
• Finding a job
• Healthcare
• Immigration and citizenship
• Emergencies
• Starting a business
Consult with other organizations
to learn what services they offer
and see if there are unmet needs in
continued on the next page

Many of the products and
publications included in the Toolkit
can be used to enhance an ESL
and/or citizenship class. Suggestions
include the following activities:
• Use the index provided in Welcome
to the United States: A Guide for New
Immigrants to identify vocabulary
related to life in the United States.
These vocabulary words may also
be useful in preparing students
for the naturalization interview
and test.
• Students can practice their
English skills by reading aloud
the questions and answers found
in the Civics Flash Cards.
• The audio CD accompanying Learn
About the United States: Quick Civics
Lessons offers English language
learners an opportunity to
continued on the next page

Training Staff and
Volunteers
The study aids and multimedia
materials inside the Toolkit can serve
as helpful training resources for
new and experienced volunteers.
Volunteers need appropriate
guidance and tools to perform
effectively. Refer to Expanding ESL,
Civics, and Citizenship Education in Your
Community: A Start-Up Guide for a stepby-step plan to build and support
your volunteer network. Below are
several suggestions on how to train
and motivate volunteers:
• Organize a viewing of the short
films provided in the Toolkit. Lead
a group discussion on how to
teach students the concepts and
information covered in each film.
• Effective citizenship instructors
have a solid understanding of
the fundamentals of U.S. history
and government. Volunteers
continued on the next page

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Providing Basic Information to the Immigrant
Community continued from previous page

Interview and Test will provide insight into one of the
most important steps in the naturalization process.

your community. If you find that there is little or no
knowledge on the resources already available in your
community, consider creating a local guide for new
immigrants as your first project.

• Use the discussion booklet included with A Promise
of Freedom: An Introduction to U.S. History and Civics for
Immigrants to spur classroom discussion on the
importance of citizenship and the U.S. Constitution.

Another suggestion is to host community information
sessions on the topics of interest to immigrants in
partnership with local organizations that already serve
the local community. For example, you could host a
session on one of the following topics:

• Use the Toolkit to create a collection of civics and
citizenship study materials in your program’s library
or reference section.

• Getting settled in the United States

Set aside time to closely review the materials in the
Toolkit. This process may help you come up with your
own ideas to use in ESL and/or citizenship classes.

• Education in the United States
• How to become a U.S. citizen
• How to navigate the local job market
• How to start a small business
Promoting the sessions in advance will be critical for
success. Refer to Expanding ESL, Civics, and Citizenship Education
in Your Community: A Start-Up Guide for ideas on how to
inform the community about your programs.
Developing Content for Classes continued from
previous page
practice listening and speaking while learning about
U.S. history and government.
• Review each of the vocabulary words for the English
reading and writing tests with the class. Following
this exercise, ask students to write sentences using
the vocabulary words and then read the sentences
aloud.
• Use The USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test video
to develop scenarios that could occur during the
naturalization interview. Ask students to act out these
scenarios in front of the class or in small groups.
• Show all three films/presentations included in the
Toolkit—one at the beginning of each class over a
given period—to highlight the important steps
that immigrants must take in their journey toward
U.S. citizenship. A Promise of Freedom: An Introduction to
U.S. History and Civics for Immigrants will help students
understand the fundamental civic concepts that unite
all Americans; Becoming a U.S. Citizen: An Overview of the
Naturalization Process will explain the naturalization
process step-by-step; and The USCIS Naturalization

Training Staff and Volunteers continued from
previous page
should review closely The Citizen’s Almanac, the film A
Promise of Freedom: An Introduction to U.S. History and Civics
for Immigrants, and Learn about the United States: Quick Civics
Lessons to expand their knowledge.
• The film A Promise of Freedom: An Introduction to U.S. History
and Civics for Immigrants includes a discussion booklet
that encourages further study of the civic concepts
addressed in the film. The booklet may serve as
a basic lesson plan for volunteers to use in the
classroom.
• Assign each volunteer to become an “expert”
on one of the chapters from the comprehensive
orientation guide, Welcome to the United States: A Guide
for New Immigrants. Ask each volunteer to provide a
summary to the group. If a student or client has
a question about life in the United States that one
volunteer cannot answer, he or she can then direct
the individual to the most knowledgeable source.
• Ask volunteers to review Expanding ESL, Civics, and
Citizenship Education in Your Community: A Start-Up Guide.
This will allow them to get a better understanding
of how to build an effective program. Hold
brainstorming sessions to review program goals,
ideas, and recommendations.
• Using the civics and citizenship resources in the
Toolkit, ask volunteers to create a special program and
exhibit during patriotic holidays or commemorations
such as the Fourth of July, Constitution Day and
Citizenship Day, Flag Day, etc.

We hope that you find the ideas presented in this Quick Start Guide useful for your program. For additional
information and resources, please visit www.uscis.gov/citizenship.

Civics and Citizenship Toolkit
Products and Publications
The Civics and Citizenship Toolkit contains a variety of educational materials
designed to help permanent residents learn more about the United
States and prepare for the naturalization process. The following items
are included in each copy of the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit. Electronic
versions of these items are available at www.uscis.gov/citizenship unless
otherwise noted.

Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants/
Bienvenidos a los Estados Unidos de América: Guía para inmigrantes
nuevos
Through this landmark publication, USCIS offers a comprehensive guide containing
practical information to help immigrants settle into everyday life in the United States,
as well as basic civics information that introduces new immigrants to the U.S. system
of government. English and Spanish versions are provided in the Toolkit. The guide is
available in additional languages at www.uscis.gov.
Civics Flash Cards
The Civics Flash Cards will help immigrants learn about U.S. history and government
while preparing for the naturalization test. These easy-to-use flash cards contain
each of the 100 civics (history and government) questions and answers on the
naturalization test. Perfect for individual study or for use in the classroom, the Civics
Flash Cards serve as a valuable instruction tool for citizenship preparation.
Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons
Learn About the United States: Quick Civics Lessons contains short lessons based on each of the
100 civics (history and government) questions and answers on the naturalization
test. This additional information will help immigrants learn more about important
concepts in American history and government—moving beyond memorization—as
they prepare for citizenship. An audio CD designed to help immigrants prepare for the
naturalization interview accompanies the booklet.

The Citizen’s Almanac
The Citizen’s Almanac is a collection of America’s most cherished symbols of freedom
and liberty, serving as a modern day lifeline to the rich civic history we all share as
Americans. The booklet includes information on patriotic anthems and symbols,
citizenship rights and responsibilities, the creation of our founding documents,
biographical details on prominent foreign-born Americans, landmark decisions of the
U.S. Supreme Court, and important presidential and historic speeches on citizenship.

Pocket Size Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the
United States
A pocket-size booklet containing the complete text of these two core documents of
American democracy.

Civics and Citizenship Multimedia Presentation
A Promise of Freedom: An Introduction to U.S. History and Civics for Immigrants
This 12-minute film focuses on the history and founding of our nation and the
important rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship. Accompanying the DVD is
a discussion booklet that encourages discussion and review of the basic concepts of
American democracy outlined in the film. A Promise of Freedom is an excellent way to
begin a session on immigration or citizenship. The film is available with English,
Chinese, and Spanish subtitles.
Becoming a U.S. Citizen: An Overview of the Naturalization Process
This 10-minute video for Adobe Flash provides a general overview of the
naturalization process including where to find immigration information and the
general requirements for obtaining U.S. citizenship.
The USCIS Naturalization Interview and Test
This 16-minute video provides an overview of the naturalization process and
testing requirements. The video highlights scenes from the naturalization interview,
including the English and civics (U.S. history and government) portions of the
naturalization test. These simulated situations provide a closer look into the overall
process. Individuals applying for citizenship may use this video as a reference tool to
prepare for the naturalization interview. Teachers and volunteers can use the video to
complement classroom instruction.
Expanding ESL, Civics, and Citizenship Education in Your Community:
A Start-Up Guide
Many community, faith-based, and civic organizations and employers would like to
help immigrants adjust to life in the United States and prepare for citizenship, but do
not know where to begin. Fortunately, the experience and practices of existing ESL,
civics, and citizenship programs can help you get started. This guide offers suggestions
and strategies along with a framework you can adapt to suit your community’s needs
and circumstances. The guide also includes basic recommendations and sample forms
and materials to help begin an ESL and/or citizenship program.

For more information on the Civics and Citizenship Toolkit, including product updates, please visit
www.citizenshiptoolkit.gov.