"To Do" {School} Jar

I'm not sure if it's the weather or me or him or exactly what it is, but lately anything school related has been met with major resistance-- like Oh My Word!  Well, it depends on the day and what exactly I am asking him to do but on a whole, getting my son to do anything without some serious drama is far and few between right now.

Thinking maybe it was because *I* was telling Tyler it was "time to do X" (be it read, math, phonics), I made a "To Do" School Jar.  

I used an empty glass jar I had on our shelves and "prettied" it up with paper, ribbon, and buttons.  Then on several large wooden craft sticks I wrote the subjects we do for school.  Not every stick is in the jar everyday; for instance, when it's Math day for Five in a Row, the Math U See stick will not be put in the jar.  And school stuff is done when all the sticks have been pulled out, which answers the "Are we done yet" question!

This hasn't solved the problem, but I think he enjoys being able to have some control in what gets done at the moment.  And since he has to pick, it makes the whole process unpredictable yet fun.  

What are your tips/ tricks you use to get your child to do school stuff without the drama?  

I'd love to hear!!