It is difficult to teach students about President Obama without their having a fundamental understanding of the issues he seeks to address. Geared primarily toward high school teachers, the PBS Teacher Center is one resource that could be used to help prepare lesson plans about President Obama and the issues he intends to address. The following are PBS/NewsHour Extra resources on issues of significance during the 2008 election:

• Teaching the Iraq War
  This site is devoted to teaching about the war. Includes lesson plans for teachers to use. www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/iraq/
  
  
• Financial Crisis Glossary and Class Activity
  This lesson plan is designed to help students understand the current U.S. and global economic crisis. www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/
  teachers/lessonplans/economics/july-dec08/
  economic_glossary.html
  
  
• The Uninsured in America
  This lesson plan is devoted to teaching high school students about healthcare and the plight of the uninsured. www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/
  teachers/lessonplans/health/uninsured/

These Web sites can help students learn more about President Obama and American government:

• Barack Obama's official campaign Web site
  www.barackobama.com
  
  
• On The Issues
  This site provides Barack Obama's positions and voting records on every issue.
  www.ontheissues.org/Barack_Obama.htm
  
  
• Where the Candidates Stand
  Scholastic provides President Obama's stance on key issues, contrasting them with Sen. McCain's.
  http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/
  indepth/election2008/games/candidates_stand/
  issues.htm
  
  
• Get to Know Barack Obama
  This article from Scholastic is geared towards students. http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/collection.jsp?id=398
  
  
• Ben's Guide to U.S. Government For Kids
  This Government-run Web site is designed to teach students about American government. Sections are separated by grade level.
  http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ 
  
  
• Official White House Web site for kids
  www.whitehouse.gov/kids/