Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion DS will not do his school work - help!

Hi -

DS10 is in 5th grade, in the gifted reading program and accelerated math, and always tests in high 90s on standardized tests. BUT, he refuses to do the assigned work (either in the alloted time in school or at home). His grades have taken a complete nosedive (most recent was an "F" on the last gifted reading unit). He told his gifted teacher that he had already read and understood the book (which he did), so he didn't see why he had to answer questions about it!

In school he reads or draws instead of doing his work. The teachers will tell him to go to the "homework" room intead of recess, but he just doesn't go and no one makes him. At home, he gets frustrated and teary over homework. Many times he either conveniently "forgets" it at school or outright lies and tells us he already did it or does not have to do it. He would rather fight about it for an hour, than take the 20 minutes it would take to actually do it.

Neither threats nor rewards have worked so far and he doesn't seem to care about the grades. We are at our wits end, every night and all weekend is a constant battle about doing the work and we are all miserable. In the end, he has to take responsibility for his own actions - we cannot do it for him.

I'm hoping someone has had a similar experience and can offer some suggestions!

Thanks,
Marjie

When DS started refusing to do school work last year (2nd grade) that was one of the first signs that we had entered a CRISIS. The refusal to do work was shortly following by throwing the work on the floor, running out of the classroom, hiding from teachers, etc, etc. It was very, very bad, to say the least.

I would, as soon as is possible, schedule a meeting with the teacher, school counselor, principal (or v.p.) as well as any GT coordinator your school has. You guys need to have a pow-wow right away!!!

Is your kiddo in therapy of any kind? Since starting cognitive behavior therapy my son's behavior is like night and day. It's pretty amazing, honestly. I don't know if you kid is 2e like mine, but I think it's clear your child is at the end of his rope with school and needs some help!