[mallory4]

Some things you could try:

One is to have a family meeting and sit down with him at a time that is not homework time, so there aren't any angry feelings or frustration involved, and ask him what he thinks the plan should be, since the school requires him to do the work and everyone is unhappy with how things are going now. He might come up with some good ideas.

Something that worked with one of my kids ( a daydreaming dawdler) was setting the timer, so they know there is an end point to the homework session--if they aren't done in half an hour (or however long would be an appropriate amount of time) then they just have to turn it in the way it is, and accept the consequences from the teacher.

Don't know what the tv/computer/gameboy situation is for him, but I know some of my friends have gotten homework hassles out of the way simply by saying "No gameboy until homework is finished and checked" and voila! their boy does the work. I don't think this would help if the work is too hard for him and he can't easily do it just by making up his mind to do so, but from what you are saying it seems that motivation, not ability, is the problem.

You might also try changing the time when homework happens--some kids do better and quicker if they work before dinner and know that dinner won't arrive until the homework is finished, checked and put away, and that leaves after-dinner time for playing and family time. Other kids really need time after school to de-stress and get renergized and will work more efficiently if they wait until later before starting.

Last but not least, you could try rewarding him. I am not one to reward kids for things that really they should be doing of their own accord, but if he really isn't struggling with the material and it is just too dull for him, I don't think there is anything wrong with adding some external motivation. If he enjoys TV or computer time, he could earn segments of time by completing his work quickly and/or without complaining. Or if he needs a more immediate reward, he could have a treat (A couple of cookies, a few M&M's, etc.) for every subject that he completes in time and without hassles.

And, last but not least, you don't say how new he is, or what his life was like before, but obviously he could be having issues with adjusting to a new family and a new school, and it may help him just to have that acknowledged and sympathized with. We moved to a new area when I was in grade 5, where all the work was stuff I had learned in my old school in grades 3 and 4, so I remember just how annoying it was to me to have to redo it. I was a big pain, too, and I hadn't just got a new family in the bargain.

I hope things only improve with time.