Preperation for GT testing for 1st grader

[Anonymous]

I have a first grader and was wondering if there are any parents out there who can share some advice regarding helping him prepared for GT testing next Fall. I do not want to freak him out and give him anxiety but also want him to be comfortable taking the test. I am trying to think of activities this summer to help prepare him as well as to solidify his work during the previous year. Any advice, study guides or stories would be of help. He is my first child so I am just starting to understand the public school system.

[Anonymous]

My advice, as someone who has been around freaked out 2nd graders - don't talk about the CogAT!!!! I will not forget the 2nd grade student last fall who told us he was worried about the CogAT and had been practicing all summer. Do all the fun, enriching stuff you always do every summer. The CogAT has a practice test the teachers give before the "real" thing. Between that, having taken the NNAT, he will be fine. Let him be a kid and DON'T talk about it!!!

[Anonymous]

Honestly, we moved to VA from MD where they had no real gifted classes in ES - DS was given the COGAT and ITBS - pretty much cold -and was put in the gifted center the next year. If you have to prep a kid that may not be the right spot. Just because a kid isn't 'gifted' doesn't mean he isn't smart.

[Anonymous]

Don't be mad if he doesn't pass. He obviously didn't come from the brightest bulb on the porch. You spelled preparation wrong :/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a first grader and was wondering if there are any parents out there who can share some advice regarding helping him prepared for GT testing next Fall. I do not want to freak him out and give him anxiety but also want him to be comfortable taking the test. I am trying to think of activities this summer to help prepare him as well as to solidify his work during the previous year. Any advice, study guides or stories would be of help. He is my first child so I am just starting to understand the public school system.

Oh, for crying out loud.

Either your kid is gifted or he is not (he probably is not). You don't "prepare" for these tests, and if you think you can, then you acknowledge your snowflake isn't truly gifted and you're trying to get some benefit that isn't intended for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My advice, as someone who has been around freaked out 2nd graders - don't talk about the CogAT!!!! I will not forget the 2nd grade student last fall who told us he was worried about the CogAT and had been practicing all summer. Do all the fun, enriching stuff you always do every summer. The CogAT has a practice test the teachers give before the "real" thing. Between that, having taken the NNAT, he will be fine. Let him be a kid and DON'T talk about it!!!

I wish the Fairfax County School Board would read this forum and decide to kill the joke of a GT program in FFX.

[Anonymous]

On a more serious note. Tests do matter. I've noticed the kids who do sports, Te Kwon Do kwon do or other activities that constantly evaluate their performance are much more comfortable and relaxed. My son seems to enjoy tests.

Even as an adult I see people with test anxiety and they do not do well. They complain a lot about the unfairness of tests. “fun” situations that have tests are a great help eliminating the stress and allowing them to do well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't be mad if he doesn't pass. He obviously didn't come from the brightest bulb on the porch. You spelled preparation wrong :/

+1

[Anonymous]

There is no such thing as GT testing, and no pass-fail criteria. All kids in FCPS take the NNAT in the first grade, and the CogAT in the second grade to help the county identify issues in children. That includes kids that have cognitive issues and kids that are smarter. There is no score that will make your child gifted, because that is not what the tests are measuring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no such thing as GT testing, and no pass-fail criteria. All kids in FCPS take the NNAT in the first grade, and the CogAT in the second grade to help the county identify issues in children. That includes kids that have cognitive issues and kids that are smarter. There is no score that will make your child gifted, because that is not what the tests are measuring.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no such thing as GT testing, and no pass-fail criteria. All kids in FCPS take the NNAT in the first grade, and the CogAT in the second grade to help the county identify issues in children. That includes kids that have cognitive issues and kids that are smarter. There is no score that will make your child gifted, because that is not what the tests are measuring.

What's the difference between smarter and gifted?

[Anonymous]

I ain't gifted, but I know that I'm smarter than you!

See?

[Anonymous]

I don't think so.


gift·ed (gftd)
adj.
1. Endowed with great natural ability, intelligence, or talent


smart (smärt)
adj. smart·er, smart·est
1.
a. Characterized by sharp quick thought; bright. See Synonyms at intelligent.

[Anonymous]

Sooo.. if you are smarter than me, you must be gifted.
I'm smarter and more gifted than you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's the difference between smarter and gifted?

http://www.tag-tenn.org/comparison.html