Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Had My 4-Year Old Take the Woodcock Johnson

Pandabear, I'm curious, why didn't the psychologist do an IQ test?[/quote]

I didn't do it because of the expense. I felt like achievement was what was more important and the expense was less to just run the WJ.

I'd be curious to know if there is a way to "guess at IQ" based on the WJ. We may do IQ testing later, but not soon.

By all means she needs to learn the concepts - so sweetie - let's take the word curious - and we can spend one week on each of those letter sounds so we know you comprehend how you managed to read the word.

Sorry. Snappish. I think scoring a two two-years up for one grade is move is a reasonable stance. So shouldn't that be explored. I do wish 1/2 day home schooling was an option.

You could probably use 'moderately gifted' instead; I think that is a better term - 'mildly' seems to somehow take away from the fact that they are, truly, gifted.


Sounds to me like he is getting the concepts (those are the abstract things) but may not have all the terminology. A whole different ballpark. He does need to be exposed to the right terms, but certainly not with the level of repetition he will encounter in a regular classroom. Gack!
I think this would really not be good.
Continue to look into this further, go with your gut. (and maybe more testing, as suggested )

A quick note about homeschooling if you decide to go that route: you can make it as structured or as unstructured as you and your child prefer.

We're eclectic, so there are some things we do that are structured just exactly like school--for example, the homeschool group he meets with once a week for 3 classes with paid teachers! including math homework!--and some that are borderline unschooling (so no structure at all). But "school at home," with a strict schedule, homework and even bells ringing to convey time to change subjects, is completely possible. It's all up to you.

I won't go on and on about it, but if you're considering homeschooling and want to talk specifics, just say the word. I don't push homeschooling on anyone, but I do try to correct myths and misconceptions when I see them. (There are a lot of them!) Lack of structure is a misconception, I'm afraid.

I assume she meant that NY doesn't allow part time homeschooling (some subjects in PS and some at home). Otherwise you are free to homeschool when and how you feel within your state regulations. You may be required to teach certain number of hours or/and days per year but nobody will make you teach at certain time or even certain number of hours per day.

Lots of states provides special educational services even to homeschoolers, as far as I know NY is one of them.

Tracey, is your son currently at school(K or 1) or did you keep him back?