Thanks, that's helpful, Quark. Didn't know about the puzzle questions, but my DD hates 'em, too. She's more creatively gifted, I believe. I think she'd be very hard to identify on a test. In fact, I have a hard time imagining how she will be identified, if at all. My DD is 5 (well, will be in a few days). Will check out those links, looks like she may be too young right now but I'll note it for the future. Big challenges right now are behavioral issues with her related to insane sensitivity/hyper focus on things. Ugh. I don't really know where to turn.

Thanks. In my state, we have no gifted programs in the schools, nor testing for it. The focus is on helping kids with special needs on the other end. So I would not be testing for that - I already know my only hope is homeschooling. My mentor has suggested it (she raised/homeschooled her two gifted children) so that we could apply our children to the Davidson Young program. I also would like to just know for sure. Our pedi was the one who originally cued us in to the fact that our precocious first DD was very likely gifted. We just thought she was entertaining and smart, but now that I've read up on it (and realize that we know basically no other peers who started reading at age 3, memorizing entire books after one read aloud, etc.), that she likely is. I just want 'proof', I guess. I get questioned on my motives a lot, for homeschooling, and I hate throwing around the word 'gifted' (and don't) but in those few cases (I'm thinking of a particularly aggressive, anti homseschooling neighbor/former teacher who regularly questions me), I'd like to just be able to say 'you know what? School isn't going to work for her and here's exactly why.' Thanks for the ideas. I have indeed approached the GDC and there is no one nearby, as far as testers go.

Anyone have any experience using this? I know that the GDC will be my best bet, but we just don't have the financial means to pay for the testing and make the cross-country trip. http://www.talentigniter.com/ruf-estimates-gifted-assessment

Ha, yes, reading library books over and over has been our entire life for 4 years! She memorizes them in entirety. Agree not to push her - I haven't been at all, actually. I just need to know where to turn next - she wants more. As you know, the Bob books aren't too stimulating - she craves books, and interesting ones, which is a hard balance for an early reader. I have a hard time engaging her with Dr. Seuss, Elephant and Piggie, etc, since we've read most of them out loud already and she's not interested in them. I need something less familiar than that, if that makes sense. The Scholastic books sound like the type of thing I'm looking for - thank you for all of your thoughtful responses.

My 4.5 year old DD has completed the Bob book series, through the last 1st grade level Sight Words set. (I think it's the last one, that is). She doesn't have enough confidence in herself to read "real" books, despite the fact that I can find many that I know she could read in our library. She's fully capable, just needs the confidence. Can anyone recommend books that are LIKE the Bob books, but a step up? The Bob books are really quite easy for her, but I don't want to make too big of a leap, either. Just looking for the next logical step to keep her moving forward. Thanks!

I know there is a lot on here about the K12 curriculum, but can anyone tell me exactly how it works? I tried calling their customer service line but felt even more confused when I hung up (and I consider myself fairly intelligent). :001_huh: The biggest question I had was using the curriculum for multiple children. So I understand that I'd pay in full for, say, a year of kindergarten that includes a variety of subjects. When I want to repurchase for my 2nd (and 3rd) child, I'd only need to buy the 'consumables' over again. However, I was told on the phone that each child is required to enroll for online access, which costs $72/month per child. :confused: I see nothing on their website about that 'fee' at all - is this true? The particular gal I spoke with sounded young, and I think I was confusing her with all of my questions. Is this really required if I am purchasing individual courses for independent study, and not for the public school (which is not offered in my state) or private school?

Glad I'm not the only one who can't stand Pinkalicious! Ugh, those books...don't get me started.

Ha, mine too! This was her first book that she memorized (of a long list - which eventually cued us in to the fact that maybe she was not like most kids!).

Exactly what I was thinking - five times doesn't sound like that many, compared to the GABILLION (a real number, I swear) times that I am reading and re-reading our regulars! And those three you mentioned are on the list!

Thanks for the different perspectives. I'm going to look into FIAR - my daughter loves reading and re-reading the same books, so although I could see the tedium for some children, I think this might appeal to my own.

These are all incredibly helpful, thank you. My DD (very precocious, indeed!) is actually not due to enter K this year - she was born just after the cutoff but is more than ready. So I may just wait for the extra year due to circumstances (baby) and do what I can with her with the newborn (and 2 year old) at home. In the meantime, I'm going to look up ALL of your suggestions! And Jenne, I would say we are basically doing everything that you mentioned - certainly enjoying our time! Thanks again, everyone.

My daughter is about to enter kindergarten and I am planning on homeschooling her. She is gifted, I believe, in the areas of language/logic/reasoning (spoke early, read at age 3, has a photographic memory, etc.). I think she is probably average in the areas of math and science. What can I do for her to encourage a love of learning in her? She has not attended any pre-k prior to this; we have been doing "work" at home. Can anyone suggest some challenging but enjoyable curric. for this age? My homeschooling mentor, and a mother to two gifted children herself, has strongly encouraged the K12 curriculum, but the costs can be high. I have two children (soon to be 3) and at some point, I will be buying curriculum for all three at the same time. I'm so new to this that I don't know if many curric. can be reused for consecutive children. K12, for example, does not appear to be that way (but I could be wrong). After doing my own research (and reading A Well Trained Mind), I am more inclined to take this approach anyway (rather than K12). I like the idea of picking/choosing the-best-of in a variety of areas. Any insight you have to any of these issues I'm thinking about as I approach homeschooling would be very much appreciated.