When do boys get motivated??

[houseofboys]

I know this probably is horrible generalisation and loads of boys are motivated, but my son and a few others I know in year 2/3 are quite happy to be on the bottom table for things because it means 'they get the easy work'. We're from a reasonably academic family and I find it really frustrating that my yr2 DS (nearly 7) is happy to languish on bottom table for maths (he's on top for reading and history type work which interest him). I just don't know how to motivate him to do his best as I'm pretty sure he's not doing it. At home for example his writing is ok when I'm leaning over him - at school its dire. I feel like he does what he can get away with. His teacher says he rushes to get the work done so its over and he can have choosing time.
I feel a bit guilty posting this for being harsh on him but I'm just very frustrated! Does it ring any bells with anyone else?

Oh yes.

DS is 10, and can be an idle little so and so. About the only thing we have found that helps is having a teacher he actually likes. So two years out of the 6 he has been at Primary school, then.

If he put half the effort into his school work that he manages to put into sodding computer games he would be sailing through school. His life's ambition is to write computer games - 'or maybe just test them Mummy'. Great - I have a child who will do a PhD on Nintendo.

And no, it would not cheer me up to discover that somebody already has!

I'm afraid I can't help but I do sympathise. My DS is 7 and in Yr2. School is always boring, he hates anything to do with literacy, art, music, writing and books generally. So - no progress in any of these areas literally for 12 months. He won't read books at home and getting him to do the extremely small amounts of homework set is a minefield. He likes maths - so on top table there. Also likes PE and playtime - so he puts up with school for these events and isn't badly behaved or disruptive - he's just bone idle. Am too mean to have got him a Nintendo yet but can imagine the purchase will rapidly result in the same situation as with neversaydie's DS.

If it helps neversaydie the UK has one of the largest gaming development industries in the world and this part of the economy is only set to grow! The UK will need gaming experts in the future to maintain our progress in this area!

Do they ever?

DS is 13 and I am still waiting!

Nagging - tried, didn't work
Bribing - tried, didn't work
teachers having a go - tried, didn't work.

If there is an easy option DS will certainly find it and weasle out of anything remotely involving motivating himself.

Oh, unless it has anything to do with rugby, football, cricket, golf, tennis, or a ball of any sort, shape, size, discription.

sorry to say this, but my brother still has no motivation..........at 18