That's roughly what we hear, too, Kcab-- my pet theory (and DD's) is that this problem is largely one of high school micromanagement policies that dictate too much about projects, and lack of authenticity in project construction, leading to motivational problems galore. Honestly, who DOES want to spend that kind of time on something that has SO little educational value?? This would explain my DD's decision to title a "newspaper" that she had to construct for AP English the 'Nutzlose-Arbeit Times.' Sadly, it went right over the teacher's head.
But that brings me to another helpful tip-- with HG+ kids, let them be a little subversive to blow off some steam over stuff like that, maybe even help them figure out how to thumb their nose at the ASSIGNMENT, but stay on the right side of the teacher. Hey-- maybe it applies to all kids, I don't know-- I just know it's essential to give HG+ high schoolers some kind of agency regarding this sort of thing. The workload is really heavy, and it's really heavy with time-wasters, truth be told.
DD doesn't mind doing a project that isn't stupid.
