I think there are two kinds of boredom when learning theory, or anything musicology.... one is that the kids get bored because they find the work too easy, not challenging enough so they are turned off by it, the other case is when something is a little too difficult f or them and they switch off...
I have a student who's learning theory from me and he is a very clever boy. He loves maths but hates english lessons or anything to do with writing, literature, memorising etc...basically words, so obviously he has trouble concerntrating in theory lessons. I know the work is a little too difficult for him and he doesnt get the results he wants when we do some test papers for revision, just to get an idea what he'll get in his theory exams.... The problem is he is pretty careless, have concentration problems and easily distracted...the other thing is if it was one-on-one individual lessons I can definetely make theory fun for him, concentrating on his weaknesses (key signatures, intervals, melody writing...) with games and puzzles.. I can make fun exercises up no problems, however, I am teaching group theory lessons (2 to 4 kids at the same time) so I can not distribute my time so flexibly because I need to give equal attention to all the kids' work and interests. I am after some ideas on how to make theory fun for him as well as not bore the other students in the group (because they are finding the work not so difficult)....To make matters worse, their parents still want their "group" lessons for healthy competition, friends etc so I can't really seperate them.