Hi--I am new to this forum, but not new to gifted education and all that goes with it. We have been through many of the same experiences that you described.

I am a retired teacher and I never expected teachers to be intimidated by our son's intelligence. I've always loved learning and was fascinated when a student would tell me something new (if in doubt, I asked them to find out more...).

When our son took in a model of the solar system that he had painted accurately for show and tell at age 6, his teacher talked to me and commented that he knew more about the planets than she did--not in awe or as a compliment, but more like she felt foolish and a little annoyed. I've never understood that--there is a place for everyone. I am very grateful that my surgeon is gifted, but he couldn't fix my car....This is part of the socialization concept that we share with our son.

We had many times of balking and disliking school in our son's early elementary years. After he was tested, he was accelerated for science for two years, but then it wasn't possible because of the distance of the other building.

In third grade, I contacted a nearby college whose Honors College students then began mentoring gifted children. His mentors were wonderful--chemistry, geology, mechanical engineering, astronomy, computer science and on and on. He loved it and the only requirement was that they did something "cool" in that subject and the college student would share their knowledge (which I did not have). I am way out of physics, but I have learned a lot! I watched one day to make sure he was paying attention to his mentor. He was 8 years old and she was doing a lecture with diagrams on DNA and RNA (biochemistry major). He was sitting as still and engrossed as possible. I was thrilled and amazed. Later, she told me that he finally asked a question and she was elated. She said that every question she asked him, he understood and knew. She said "Finally! Something he didn't get". This didn't happen in the regular third grade class....

Mentors worked very well until he finished fourth grade. Fifth grade teachers in that school district and nearby ones refused to allow mentors...I knew he would never make it without mentors--just doing repetitive worksheets and hearing about topics he already understood (and that teacher would get upset about if he knew more than they did--like knowing the moons of Mars...happened).

This was time to home school and it was time for me to retire. We are members of a wonderful group of parents that are homeschooling their gifted children (parents are engineers, doctor, teachers, lawyers, a pilot, business owners and on and on). We have great field trips. He loves seeing these kids. His first comment to me on the first trip was "These kids understand what I'm talking about".

We have been doing this for almost 5 years and our son loves it. Each year, I ask if he wants to go back to "school-school" and he always replies 'NO!'

We use the internet for endless resources including AP books that are online for free from colleges. We've found some amazing sites as well as a list of topics to guide us when needed. He is also at the age where he self instructs--especially in computer science. He's taught me about Irfanview this year and I enjoy it! Most of what he's doing --level design, using 3DS Max, creating portals, tessellations, Audacity and other 'stuff', I don't understand. But I don't need to. He does....I guide the day with chores and academics (literature, algebra and geometry, geography, history--had a great time with the election)before
he can do independent computer science. He even has contact with kids from other states and countries (cautious, of course) that play games together, answer questions about each other's weather, terrain etc, exchange webcam photos--like the snow in our yard to a friend in Florida, exchange other info about the area (no address or full names, of course), and have talked online with a microphone (that's geography history, civics and socializing, too).

While we don't have mentors now (he's 14 and the college has told us that he is 'too advanced' for a Honors College mentor), we do go to the college for events. Last fall we went to the college to the Grad Students' Open House for Computer Science and Engineering (which he loves). They were kind enough to allow us. In small groups, we visited Embodied Intelligence Lab, Biometric Research, and Media Technology Lab. Each place had an explanation and demonstrations. He really loved this. I had no clue, but enjoyed his chance to interact with others that shared his love of learning.

Next, we are going to the same college to meet with a professor in cellular biology (we are doing AP Biology--book, great websites and book online from a college). The professor does research in bacteria, fungi and mold and will also show us around the bioenergy research lab.

Soooooo-----as far as homeschooling goes, saying that socialization is missing in home school is plain, old lame. The truth in my opinion is that kids in the U.S. are grouped together by age for the ease of the school system and our archaic methods of memorizing trivia for a test as opposed to understanding a concept, of not using technology as much as we should and the way we don't do more to help them investigate a career or occupation.

My last year of teaching was in fourth grade. My students ranged from reading at a first grade level to reading at a high school level. If the difference is that great in intellectual ability, how can it be the same in maturity for socializing? If same age doesn't matter, than socializing with all ages is what counts.

A very talented young teacher heard that I was retiring and going to home school our son. He asked if I wasn't concerned about socialization...I replied that if we could only work with people our own age than he and I never could have worked together--I'm old enough to be his mother... He nodded, grinned and said he had never thought of it that way.

In this world, socialization really means knowing how to appreciate, be kind to others, to get to know others and work with people of all ages. When you take your child to a family reunion, that is socializing. Shopping is too Going to the library is... Having a friend over is...So is every trip to a wonderful college or museum or whatever your child loves (planetarium, rocketry, Bug House, the list is endless...). That's socializing--not sitting in your seat doing papers with no talking.

OK, I'm off my soapbox and sorry if I am too long, but I wanted to share that I have taught and I am still teaching so I have experienced both sides. I am also learning--- he's is so far above me that I'm "along to the ride" and I guide--writing with "stick and clay tablet" instead of typing is a challenge for him.

Do what is best for your child and then look up the many famous scientists, statesman/woman, poets, authors, inventors and more that were homeschooled. It will help you know.

Good luck and yes, you can pull your child out from school and put them back if needed. In our state, we didn't even have to fill out any papers.

Karen