how can you motivate a 12 year old boy to get better grades?

Question

he is high average to superior in educational testing but his grades are A-D. His teacher says he is lazy. He doesn't apply himself on homework or classwork. Never has homework because he does it in school. I know he can get A's or B's but don't know how to help him to improve.

Answer 1

$$$$....Can be very modivating

Answer 2

Has he maintained A's and B's before? Are his grade beginning to slip or has he always had these marks? Does he have a lousy teacher? A lot of stress? My 12 year old son 's marks are starting to slided. He has a horrid teacher. (This is my third year dealing with her).
We have put an agenda into place, he has to have all upcoming assignments and tests written in it, has it signed by the teacher and then we review and sign it every evening. He now must spend a half an hour on school work every evening, whether or not he has homework and we have been working on different strategies to keep him organized. His desk must be kept clean, as well as his bedroom. Homework is done in the dining room where he can ask questions and receive immediate attention should he need it. In my sons case, most of the problem is he is just not organized. He is the youngest in grade seven, he just turned 12 in December and he comes from a long line of disorganized people. His teacher is of little help and actually frustrates both of us with her "Ask someone who knows" attitude. I am hoping this is just a phase and will soon be out grown. I am interested to see what kind of responses your question receive. Good luck

Answer 3

First of all there are 2 sides to every story. Listen to what
he has to say and take notes. Ask questions.
Ask him what needs to happen at school in the classroom for a positive change. Maybe he needs to be
placed in a different classroom away from the teacher that
has labeled him lazy! Second, maybe he needs to be placed in a gifted class where he will be challenged.Third,
have you talked to the school counselor about your concerns and the school counselor could talk to your grandson and ask school counselor to observe him in the classroom. Fourth, has your grandson gone through a traumatic event in his life and has not gone through professional counseling to deal with the trauma? If this is the case, he is acting out! Fifth, explain to him that his job
is to go to school everyday and do his personal best to prepare him for a future. He needs to fill out assignment book everyday, bring home completed classwork and homework to be checked over everyday at home. This is
not open to discussion or negotiation. There will be consequences for failure to follow this direction. For example, send him to bed 1 hour earlier, take away the phone, no playtime, no games, no Television, no eating out etc. Place this plan in operation for an entire grading
period and see if he gets the message that you mean business. He'll have a tantrum but just ignore him. He will not have a life until he turns this around! Do not give in no matter what he says or does! You are the adult and he is the child! Sixth, children do not need to be paid for good grades because he is living under your roof and you feed him, clothe him, provide his health needs! Seventh, he is old enough to be doing chores around the house on a daily basis. He is not a guest but a member of the household! Teach him to wash his own clothes!

Answer 4

Mom, is that you?

Good grief that boy sounds so much like me when I was in school. Most of my grades were Cs and Ds and I graduated high school with a 1.8 GPA.

Here's the problem, there was nothing they could say or do that would prod me to do better. I was lazy and at the time I didn't care about school. The only reason I even went to school was because I liked Art and Band.

I did got to college 6 years after high school and my last year there I had a 3.2 GPA.

As I learned in college, if you want someone to do something they won't then take something they truly love away from them and don't give it back till they have done what you want. If he has a Xbox, take it away till he improves, if he likes going out with his buddies ground him until homework is done. Never threaten him with more than you will do and NEVER go back on the punishment (for lack of a better word) that you have given to him. Find out what home work his teachers have given to him and make him do the work or no treats (Xbox etc., etc.)

I wish you good luck from someone who was there.

Answer 5

I have a 12 year old son with the same issues. I use the old tried and true method of taking away the things he loves the most when he gets a grade below a C and I also reward with cash for A's and B's. People have many things to say about this but my son has made honor roll every time since implementing this a few years ago. I can't complain.

Good luck!!

Answer 6

Normally its down to self belief and self asteem. If you can get him to do just one piece of work at a high standard, then when he gets a good grade for it, then that will give him the boost and motivation to go for it.

It worked for me. This will only work though if he has done the work totally by himself. Otherwise, he'll always think he cant accomplish anything to a high standard on his own.

When he does get a good grade he needs to be shown how proud and how much you respect his achievement each time.

I was the same, but since I started to believe in myself i have achieved many triumphant things in work\academic and personal life.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Of course you could bribe him..... But his problem probably is that he is bored. With his permission, talk to the school counselor about options, maybe participation in a high school class or two. He knows he can slide by without even trying, so why bother. I went through high school algebra without ever studying -- I read novels during class -- I passed the tests by dint of logic, not knowledge of algebra. I also left high school after my junior year for college as an early entrant. Consider talking to your son about that as a goal.

Answer 8

You need to find a way to intrinsicly motivate him. (that means have him get good grades because he wants to, not because you give him 20 per A) I got straight D's in middle school but got A's and B's in high school and a 3.97 in college because I knew that middle school didn't count for anything and I was not motivated. When I got to high school my motivation was to get into a good college, and college, my motivation was to get a good job. Find out what your son wants to do with his life (that means talking to him) show him how he can get there, and show the importance of school.
If you can't show him, try having someone else do it. One of my friends wanted to be a dirtbike rider and thought that he didn't have to go to school. So his mom had him talk to dirtbike riders, and they all told him that "you have to work other jobs, and you need to do well in school." So if you have to, go to the source of his motivation so that he believes school is important, do it.

Answer 9

If he gets gets high grades on tests, it sounds likes he is doing fine. Tests measure how much of a subject you understand right? So obviously he understands whats going on. You should be proud he is so smart.

Answer 10

well he can't be lazy if he finishes his homework in school, he is obviously doing more than other kids and quicker!! I do think you need to chk what goes on at school, if theres anything troubling him there, i am not sure if money is a motivator here...i think you need to get to the root of it...

Answer 11

Show him a hobo and tell him if your grades dont improve this is what you will grow up to be :p no but really im only 16 and im motivated when i have something to look forward to i play Runescape and if i get bad grades my mom does not let me online lol but im pretty much dumb i just try REALLLLY hard