This is great advice. I am going to try to see what I can come up with. I think it will tough as it's not something I have ever thought about. I've just always known that he did different things than all of his friends and classmates. However,I think I think I remember more instances that they would recognize from when he was younger then now. But I'll rack my brain as best I can. Again thanks as this has really given me some insight as it sounds like your daughter is very much like my son.

Jules

Re: portfolio, we used one for a child just turning five. It included grade three workbook pages done in the child's own printing, artwork samples, video of unrehearsed reading of Shakespeare, and video of the child talking informally about a family history project. I think what you include will need to cater to your child's strengths, whatever they may be.

Consider what it is about your child that makes you (and others) say "wow!" Then find a way to capture that factor.

Lorel, great advice! I love the "wow" factor. I will get my recorder going this week to capture DD5's moments of genius. :-)

Good luck!

Jules,
We too got a letter similar to that and have been dragging our feet getting together a portfolio because of figuring out what to submit. (We are not organized so it is a struggle to find all of her "wow" stuff)
But, thanks for posting this again, because with all of the responses you got I have gotten motivated again to get the portfolio finished and sent in as soon as possible.
Good luck to you!

Drexel University has a math forum where they offer complex story problems on a subscription basis. The child can attempt the problem and submit it with supporting work and get an answer whether it is right or wrong complete with a Drexel student providing feedback.

They offer a trial:

http://mathforum.org/products/store/demoAccount.htm

For a nine year old, I would say perhaps you could video record him opening up a problem and working through it. They offer challenging story problems at the pre-algebra and algebra level.

Our DYS DD also got this letter and was later admitted to the DYS program, so my advice to you is to follow up with more portfolio materials or the other testing they are asking for.

Good luck.

Neato

Oh, even better, here's a link to sample problems:

http://mathforum.org/pow/teacher/samples.html

Well, we finally got our portfolio of supporting work organized and got it in the mail yesterday.
I ended up emailing and asking about DD's art stuff and was told that yes, it could be included in the portfolio.
So, now it's back to the waiting.......

Good luck. Hang in there, the waiting is hard.

Good luck!