Social Studies Game Show

Why do most South Americans speak Spanish? What do we call major changes to the United States Constitution? Where is the Erie Canal?

These questions all come from a fifth grade Social Studies test. Do you think they’re difficult? Some adults might.

Fox entertainment executives are planning a new game show based on social studies questions, but instead of testing people on how much they know, this game show is designed to show how much parents don’t know about their kids’ homework. The questions will consist of real fifth grade-level test questions.

Is this more TV gone bad? Is it in poor taste? That may depend on the tone of the show and whether it is exploitive or serious in its approach. After all, many adults are engrossed in their lives and jobs and have shoved many of those social studies facts to the back of their heads during the child-raising years. One good feature of the show will be the opportunity it will provide for students to show off their own knowledge. It might also encourage more students to study their social studies notes!

Any comments?