Kids not doing school/homework

My boys are 11 and 12.  Very different yet some of the same problems.  They are not doing their school/home work.  I have tried everything.  Talking with the teachers, psychiatrist, punishment, yelling, not yelling, talking, explaining what a future of lazyness would bring.  We even use assignment books, though most of the time they come home blank.  Dad is military and away some, but not constantly so they do have structure.  I can't seem to get through.  My 11 year old is a loner, very quiet and has a remarkable memory (but selective memory).  Loves history and science, excellent in math (though grades do not show this).  My 12 year old is very verbal and wants to be where everyone else is.  Wants to get into sports, but hasn't made any of the teams yet.  Plays bass for the school stringed band.  They don't have any behavior problems really.  They don't talk back to me or their dad, they don't get introuble at school, they are well mannered.  Just can't understand how to get them to do their work.  


This discussion is related to 13yr. old son isn't doing his school work....

[margypops]

What do they do after school when they should be doing their homework? do they sit and look at each other or are they sat doing nothing in their room? Dont let them do anything else, no TV, no Computer, no games,no firends,  till homework is done, make it a priority and enforce it, if they are bored enough they may get their homework  so they can get into more enjoyable stuff before dinner and bed.

[Natta1980]

Agree with margypops - set up a reward system, and do not let them to get to preffered activities until they finish their homework.

Get the rewarded for succesfull homework, you can then slowly fade it out.

[mom2joshnlauren]

My daughter is 13 and up until recently was a straight A honor roll student. She has never brought home anything less than a B her entire academic life. HOWEVER, she is now NOT doing her homework. Her grades are dropping to C's and D's because she is forgetting to turn in assignments and not studying for tests and quiz's. She is also in all advanced honor classes and I my initial thoughts were the classes were too hard for her but now I am finding out that she is just being lazy and not doing the work.
What is it with this age?