25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I Thought I Was Smarter Than a 5th Grader, But Maybe Not, October 27, 2007
This review is from: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?: The Play-at-Home Companion Book to the Hit TV Show! (Paperback)
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5TH GRADER? is a companion book to the hit television game show that allows readers to answer questions like those featured in the show. The book is divided into 75 different quizzes. Just like on the show there are ten categories ranging from earth science, chemistry, math, biology, U.S. history, English, human science, social studies, U.S. geography, world geography, world history, measurements, art, grammar, music, spelling, astronomy, physical education, animal science, physics, ancient history, and dance. The ten questions range from 1st grade to 5th grade level questions. Also each quiz also has a bonus question for the million dollar question.
I love trivia books of every kind. I've seen the show several times and figured I'd pick the book up and see what it would be like. In all honesty, other than the format, the questions aren't that different than many other trivia books you will find around. However, the way the questions are arranged does allow you to play the game at home. The book is also very portable and good to bring on trips. It makes for a good way to pass the time with the family on long drives. Lastly, the book includes an introduction by Jeff Foxworthy. The introduction is rather short, but Foxworthy does share a few comments about the show and his initial impressions about being the host of a trivia game show.
Recommended for fans of the tv show and trivia buffs.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fun--and shocking--book!, August 14, 2009
This review is from: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?: The Play-at-Home Companion Book to the Hit TV Show! (Paperback)
Yikes, I have a master's degree plus enough hours for a second masters, also several certifications, and still missed questions in this book, "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader." Does that mean certain fifth graders are smarter than I am? Possibly, if they are super gifted. What I'm saying is that elementary students--with fifth graders at the pinacle--are closer to this information than parent- and grandparent-aged adults are. More recent means less time to retain and/or lose.
Or am I just making excuses? You be the judge. I've never seen the TV program, but here's how the book is set up: Each quiz begins with material learned, beginning in first grade and going through fifth grade, which is the last grade in elementary schooling.
Sample questions:
1st grade: If you laid three yardsticks and a 12-inch ruler end to end, how long would it be in feet? (Come on, think about it!)
2nd grade: In the word "stone," which letter is silent?
3rd grade: The base is the longest side of an equilateral triangle. True? False?
4th grade: What is the name of the dance that involves the stomping of the heels and clapping of the hands?
Those are just pre-5th grade questions. Let's look at some of the 5th grade questions:
5th: What is the hard shell on the outside of an ant's body called?
5th: Clusters of stars are known as ________?
5th: What is the official currency of Puerto Rico?
5th Density describes the mass of an object divided by the what?
I'm aware of what kids study these days because I work in After School Care in my school and help with homework. Initially, I was totally startled by the level and depth of concepts covered in their classes. I had to ask another teacher to show me how to do the arithmetic because methods are so different (but better).
The types of questions I listed earlier are very much part of the national and local curriculums. It is the students' job to learn and ours to retain (ha!) so we can help.
Just as he is host on the television version, Jeff Foxworthy also wrote the introduction. He knows he knows less than some of the fifth graders on the show (commendable for admitting it). However, he sort of gets the last word: "I was trying to make the class laugh in 5th grade and was getting into trouble for it...now, I'm still trying to make the 5th grade class laugh but I'm getting paid for it!"
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fun for one or family., February 9, 2009
This review is from: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?: The Play-at-Home Companion Book to the Hit TV Show! (Paperback)
We have the hand held game also, but wanted a book for the times when you only have a few minutes, not enough for a whole game; or when several people want to play along. Good for car also as long as the reader isn't the driver of course. A little easy at first, but gets more difficult as you go. Everyone can play at once, one reading out loud and checking answers in the back of the book. Younger players can feel a part of the game by letting them answer the easier questions on every "quiz".
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