[kay]

First, I haven't been able to find the post adoption parenting board - does anyone know if it still exists, and if so, where?

In the meantime, I'll vent a little here. My 11 year old son has been with me about 2 1/2 years. He did fairly well in elementary school, where he was as near as I could tell (no letter grades, just ok or not ok, basically) a low average student. He's really struggling this year in middle school. He's never learned how to study, and thinks that if he does the work once, no matter how shoddily, he's done, and should never have to look at it again. Tonight he brought home a science test that he'd gotten 27% on for me to sign - "you're just supposed to sign it, Mom!" and had a fit when I insisted he get out his book and answer the questions correctly. He maintains he hates school and hates learning. He's actually quite bright, and enjoys learning, but he certainly does hate studying! Although he is a slow reader, he is improving, and there's no learning disability that has been determined.

Any tried and true tips on how to teach good study skills? I'm tired of the tantrums every time I insist that he take his time and do his best work. Back to school night is this week, so I'll be discussing this with his teachers, too - but I know a lot of you have been fighting this particular battle. Any ideas?