My DS 7 is also in a mid-year skip to 2nd. He's been in 2nd since January and is just wrapping up his "honeymoon" period :-) From your description, they could be twins. Mine is full of big ideas but doesn't want to put them on paper, loves to tinker but doesn't finish and overall, just wants to "be" rather than "do" if that makes sense.
He was also working on independent contract work in class. He was slow to start, slow to finish and dragging his feet. When it came down to it, he felt like he was being punished because the other kids were working together doing stuff and he was doing boring worksheets in the corner. The teacher changed up his work and made it a little more research based and he is enjoying it and working well again. She is very flexible, however, and very in tune to the kids in her class.
Independent learning in a classroom is a very difficult thing for kids and teachers. It's easier at home when you don't have to wonder what the other kids are doing, how much longer till the teacher pays attention to you, how long till lunch/recess/library/home. I think it takes a lot of effort on the teacher and the child's part for it to really work well.
