Nathan has been accepted. Adam was frustrated and wouldn't even take the test, so I think I will have him retake it a little bit later today. I watched Nate take the test - and he was really thinking hard. He said he really liked this kind of math, where it wasn't all problems. He does need to work on logic skills... so I'll be looking for something to help with that.

So, now I need to send in the financial aid form and see if we can get some financial aid.

Wow, that looks really neat. I had to google EPGY, as I had never heard of it. Is it really expensive?

What do you see as the benefit for your son doing this program? Is there something much better than what you are able to do yourself with him?

The program is $500/3 mos. So, expensive. BUT... we were able to get financial assistance - which brought it down to under $200/3 mos. The biggest benefit is that he is getting challenged. Everything I have given him, he eats up and flies through. He needs to be challenged with different ways of thinking, which most math curricula don't do. They aren't geared towards children who need the extra higher thinking skills, kwim? Also, he has a tutor from Stanford, which I am sure will be invaluable especially as he gets older. I do plan on this for the long haul. Also, it will be a good thing to have in his records for if he eventually wants to attend college. Heck, when he is ready, he can do college level courses through them, too!

He is doing this in addition to Math U See and Teaching Textbooks. I cannot keep enough math/thinking skills materials around the house for him.

Is he just taking the math class or all that are offered? Is his tutor on line, on the phone, or do you actually see this person? Sounds interesting, and yes, very good for his resume!

He's only taking the 3-4th grade math course. They start them at 'grade level' and then they go at their own pace, so he could move on to 5th-6th grade math when he completes the 3-4. If it takes 2 months, that is fine, if it takes a year, that's fine. It works on concepts in each 'strand' (geometry, integers, etc) and when they show competency in a concept on each strand they move on to the next concept in that strand. So if he has trouble getting a certain concept, it brings up problems on that concept until he 'gets' it. But if he understands something right away, there are only 5 of any type of problem. If they get 80% right, then they move on... if they don't, then the problems are interspersed and reintroduced until they 'get' it.

The tutor is online and over the phone. There is a virtual classroom where they can talk and use a virtual whiteboard. It's pretty cool. They also have online classes that he can take anytime - with other kids all over the world who are enrolled in this. Those are extras.... sometimes they are a class of just math games, or a particular math concept.

Each week we'll get a report from his online tutor outlining his progress. If Nate is having trouble in an area, the tutor can see that by his answers, and can offer more help. And any questions Nathan has can go to the tutor and he will email him back with an answer.

That sounds fantastic! How fun for your son! I love the idea of quickly moving on when you "get" something.

How did you find out about this program?

It sounds like a great fit, Heather. I have it on the back burner to look into if it seems like our current plan isn't working for Sam. Let us know how it goes.

Tara

How did you find out about this program?

Maybe Heather knew about it before, but I think it was when I mentioned it. I know about it because it's kind of local for me (Stanford, at least), and it's been mentioned on local parenting lists (just "regular" as well as on the East Bay Gifted list).

I still haven't faxed in my FA form. Oops.

I had heard about it a couple of years ago - but we were in such a state of instability as a family, I put it off until we had some answers. We're finally at a much more stable place now. BUT... I had forgotten about it and Heather's post reminded me. THANK YOU HEATHER!!!

I originally heard about it (as well as the ones through John Hopkins and Northwestern) from my mother. She's a special education supervisor in Ohio - and she runs the county's gifted program. She has been pulling for school districts to get in on these programs for some of the kids she works with (well... she's the administrator, but she comes up with plans along with the school's gifted teacher). She is ALWAYS sending me information. But... the time was right this time. So, I looked at all 3 - and decided we would try Stanford first. I think we will eventually look at the others to make a plan during high school. BUT - Nathan's 'giftedness' is only in math, it's not global like some kids. So he's right on grade/age level for LA concepts, but the math is where he needs so much more. So... now he's doing 3 math programs.

Oh... the EPGY program has a default of 20 minutes time set into it. I had his tutor change it to 45 minutes. He was getting frustrated because he would get on a roll and the program would just quit on him. So, it's at 45 mintues now, and he's been doing 2 sessions a day (along with 2 TT lessons/day and a couple of MUS lessons a week).

He's enjoying it... and I know it is good stuff.

I know Northwestern has a summer program, but they have an online program, too? I'd love to know more about that (I feel an attachment there, since both DH and I graduated from NU :) )

Yeah, they have the Center for Talent Development. Here's the link: CTD - Center for Talent Development, Northwestern University (http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/)