I also hope I didn't offend you by impling a child who doesn't test off the charts isn't entitled to enrichment. I was just more saying that I was afraid the district would use it against us if she didn't.
I was offended, but it was based on a misunderstanding. You really sounded to me like you weren't sure. Believe me, it takes a tremendous amount of courage and determination for any parent to 'cross the line' and ask a school to provide for an unrecognized need. It's much hard to do this when you aren't sure within yourself if your child is 'gifted enough' to make waves. Many of us here struggle with this very issue - even in the face of 'way out there' IQ scores. For those of us socialized to the female role, our minds always seem to present us with 'good reasons' to pipe down. It really is ok to disagree with experts and repeat yourself over and over and over again until they see things your way. I'm delighted that you explained yourself - Thanks so much for not walking away. Don't worry, I still like you and want the best for your family.
Since you've mentioned that you get misunderstood a lot face to face, perhaps it's worthwhile to use this forum as a way to 'metacognate' on your communication skills. Here's what I did for the first 3 years while posting here: Write in stages - make a vent first draft, then reread, grouping similar ideas together, ask myself 'what might another person think I'm saying?' 'what is my topic sentence?' 'Could this hurt someone's feelings?' 'Could I use spacing/paragraphs/color/fonts more to help people read my posts?'
We don't need you to do this - the back and forth takes care of most misunderstandings - but we parents of gifted have SO few people that we can talk plainly with that we get out of the habit of sharing our thoughts at all - and this isn't always just in the area of childraising! The point is that I am so glad you posted, and think your DD is great and want you all to have what is right. For all I know, you are raising my future Daughter in Law!
The MAP tests are great news. All you really have to do is convinse your school to give your DD the exact same MAP that they give the 3rd graders. Then sit back and watch the fun begin! Their jaws are going to drop. Say, "I know, it's unusual, she is an unusual girl....please, for the sake of any child who ever suprised you....give her that MAP test. If she doesn't know anything on it, then it will only take 5 minutes or so. It will go a long way towards setting this Mother's Heart to rest."
Who could resist that?
Then you get some 3rd grade Math workbooks and have her do enough pages that the knows what a 'divided by' sign means (both of them) etc.
Let her know that a MAP test has basic 'Artificial Intelligence' so that while she is taking the test, the test computer is trying to figure out what she knows and doesn't know. Because of this, the longer the test wants to spend with her, the more suprised it is and the more information it is gathering. Let her know that it's important to guess and keep going no matter how long it takes. Interesting test, no?
In the meantime I would read the Iowa Accleration Scale Manual (should be availible for around 30$) just for future reference. I would request an individual IQ from the school, or hire an outside tester if money is ok so you can continue to learn about your DD. But all that pales beside getting the school to give that MAP. I don't know if they can give it this month, or you have to wait until they give it to the 3rd graders. If you have to wait, then keep seeing what you can do inside the classroom such a 'send in your own Math and Spelling worksheets' to substitute for the coloring pages.
Also, it's totally normal for a kid not to be able to advocate for themselves until around age 10. Even the kids that do are ususally ignored. It is sweet if you can have her write a letter in her own handwriting about what she likes and doesn't like about school, and what she wishes school was like, for you to bring to the meeting.
As far as chapter books, your school is normal, what is impressive is that when you made the request, they complied. That is a win. Of course it would be better if they 'got' your family, but flexibility is the next best thing.
Love and More Love,
Grinity
