Getting Teens to "Do School"

How can you get your teens to just do their schoolwork already?

Monthly gathering with my teens and college kids in 2007.

Last week I asked you to be a detective. What did you discover?

Parents tell me all the time that their teens have no interesting thoughts. I like to remind them: the thoughts they think about are interesting to your teen.

The way your kids care about their interests is the same pathway to caring about academics. Let’s talk about it!

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The myth of independent learning

Usually when a parent asks me how to “get their teen” to do their schoolwork, they picture a scenario like this:

The teen hops down the stairs, gathers a stack of books, and then happily installs themself at the kitchen table. They follow the lesson plan and work without complaint for a length of time that the adult deems “appropriate”—moving from subject to subject. The work the teen completes is neatly written and reflects attention to detail.

Progress is apparent because the teen is making it through a text at a steady pace. The parent is reassured that the teen will, in fact, have a transcript of approved coursework to present to college admissions. This high school student behavior reassures the parent that they have raised a young adult who will continue to be a college student who is independent, careful, and thoughtful about learning.

How does that description hit you? Is this what you expect (even secretly or unconsciously)?

Does it match how you learned as a teen or college student? Does it seem reasonable?

When I read the description back to myself, I chuckled. As a teen, I did my homework on the floor, lying on my stomach, sometimes with the radio at full volume. I could be seen whipping through homework at lunch that I forgot to do the night before, due the next class period.

As a college student, I would sometimes study patiently over a course of weeks, and other times, cram for a test at the last minute. I liked forming small study groups for big exams—much more motivating than sitting alone in the library. I definitely relied on coffee and snacks.

How about you?

Our mistaken goal

The goal of so many home educators is to get their teens to “learn independently.” By independent, they mean working without constant prodding.

Parents are weary by the time their youngster has made it to thirteen. Can’t this more mature child study and learn without a parent hovering nearby, reminding them to stay focused? Seems so reasonable! It’s also a fantasy.

The best homeschools for high school create conditions that promote internal motivation to learn. Most people are motivated to learn when they have a reason to study a subject, and a context that provides support and collaboration.

How do we do that at home?