Book Review: Match Wits with the Kids
General Knowledge Facts for the Whole Family by Jonathon Green
Sep 15, 2008
Since the premiere in the United States of Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader in February 2007, more than 40 countries have aired similar programs. Adult contestants aim to win increasingly large sums of money by answering questions from the 5th grade curriculum.
While such programs are enjoyable family viewing, they can highlight how much adults have forgotten since their own school days. For subject areas such as geography, history, sciences, literature and mathematics, many adults have discovered the truth of the adage “If you don’t use it, you lose it”, struggling to recall information that was well known at the age of ten.
Match Wits with the Kids
Experienced teacher and author Jonathon Green has written the perfect companion for parents who wish to brush up on their general knowledge. Match Wits with the Kids (Icon, 2008) contains 392 pages of charts, maps, formulae, diagrams, tables, information and practice tests to revise the important facts across nine subject areas.
With information presented in an enjoyable, easy-to-read format, this book is not intended to be a comprehensive reference for any specific subject. Information is grouped into relevant subject chapters with only a brief index. The contents listing offers a summary of the information contained in each chapter.
English and Languages
English: spelling and grammar rules and correct sentence structure as well as idioms, literary terms and an overview of English literature.
Modern Languages: German, French and Spanish languages are covered with common phrases, a pronunciation guide and useful words including numbers, time, colours and directions. A basic map and general facts about each country are also provided.
The Classics: Latin language phrases and grammar, roman numerals and information about Classical civilisations and personalities such as Homer, Hippocrates and Plutarch.
The Sciences
Biology: information on cells, the human body, plants and the classification of living organisms. Genetic inheritance, nutrition charts and the interaction of living things with their environment are also touched upon.
Chemistry: materials and their properties including a periodic table, chemical reactions and geological changes including rock types and earth movements.
Physics: physical processes such as magnetism, energy resources, light, sound and astronomy. A chart of common electrical symbols is included as well as a table comparing the properties of the different planets. The achievements of 70 significant scientists are also listed.
Mathematics, History and Geography
Mathematics: definitions of basic mathematical terminology including fractions, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability.
History: predominantly focused on British history with significant battles, a listing of prime ministers (including the position under its previous title as First Lord of the Treasury), and a summary of British history.
Geography: contains several pages primarily relating to British maps and facts, however a table of countries with their capital cities, diagrams and information about the structure of the globe and information about the weather and water cycle are also included.
An Excellent General Knowledge Overview
While Match Wits with the Kids has an undeniable focus on British geography and history, there is sufficient general knowledge in other areas to compensate for this bias. Australian and New Zealand families in particular may find that this is a small price to pay for a general knowledge book that contains familiar spelling and measurement units.
In the years between attending school and parenting a school-aged child many facts and details well-known during school years go astray. Now is the perfect time to brush up on some basic general knowledge, if for no other reason than to assist children with their homework and improve results at the next trivia night or general knowledge quiz show.
Match Wits with the Kids (ISBN: 978-184831000-1, 392 pages)
