Gabe and School

This would NOT be my Gabe.

Gabe likes to go to school.

Gabe LOVES to take the bus to school.

Gabe does NOT like to do his work at school.

I asked him one day why it takes him so long to do his work.

His simple reply was that he wants to do what he wants to do, not what the teacher wants him to do.

OOY!!

How do you get your kid to want to do the work, to want to learn and get better at things?

I want him to do well. I want him to enjoy school. I don't want to always be harping at him either.

Any ideas?