This is my friend Griffin. 

He loves to make things with his hands, read books about adventures, and talk to interesting people. He's just started the fourth grade. 

Griffin is inspired by nature, words, and play. He is confident and curious, and he loves to learn.

Griffin is excited about the things he's been learning in school, especially in science and reading. His teacher, Mrs. Shell, sees Griffin as a leader in the class and wants to encourage his curiosity, but she's concerned that he's not paying attention during lessons because he likes to doodle. 

One day in class while Mrs. Shell is reading to the whole class, she notices that Hank is doodling again, and from the front of the class she exclaims:

“Griffin! Pay attention, this is not art class. Can you please stop doodling?”

Imagine you are in Griffin's shoes. How might you feel?

I'm angry!  go to page 12

I'm confused... go to page 16

I'm embarassed! go to page 8

"I'm embarrassed! I thought I was keeping up with the lesson, but I guess I wasn't doing a good enough job. 

I don't want anyone to think I don't care. I'm going to try and be a better student."

Griffin decides to stop doodling to please Mrs. Shell. He tries his best to stay focused during lessons, but he feels bored and restless without something to keep his hands busy. 

He feels disconnected from his creativity and struggles to express himself without these outlets. 

Griffin's mom notices that he's been withdrawn lately and more quiet about school. She asks him if anything's bothering him, and he decides to open up...

Go to page 18

"I'm angry! Mrs. Shell doesn't know what she's talking about. 

I was listening to the lesson, so why is it so bad to doodle if I'm not bothering anyone? Shouldn't my teacher want me to do the things that I'm good at? This isn't fair. "

Griffin decides to ignore Mrs. Shell and keeps doodling during class. He participates less and less in class, and he is more and more disconnected from his teacher and classmates.

He starts to see school as a place where he’s always doing something wrong. 

Griffin's mom notices that he's been withdrawn lately and more quiet about school. She asks him if anything's bothering him, and he decides to open up...

Go to page 18

"I'm confused...I don't see why I can't doodle and be a good student at the same time. 

I always prove that I'm listening when Mrs. Shell asks questions, doodling is just something I want to do for myself."

Griffin tells his mom about Mrs. Shell getting upset. She reminds Griffin that she loves his doodles, and that he can still be a good student while doodling. 

She also explains that Mrs. Shell might have her own opinions about how Griffin should behave, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true.

She encourages Griffin to talk to his teacher and explain how doodling is important to him.

Griffin learns that he is allowed to push back against people's opinions of him when they don't feel true. 

Fast forward a few years and Griffin is now in middle school. He has been getting along great with his teachers and is making lots of new friends. In class, he has been really enjoying discussing his thoughts with his peers. 

At the same time, he has been struggling with completing homework on time and the assignments are starting to pile up.

If you were Griffin, how might you feel about missing homework?

I'm stressed... go to page 24

Homework doesn't really matter... go to page 28

I need to talk to someone... go to page 32

"I'm so stressed--why did I let it get this far?! Now I'll need to work all day every day in order to catch up... 

I'll have to skip lacrosse practice and put away my sketchbook. I guess I just haven't been working hard enough. I wish I was a better student"

Griffin stops going to lacrosse practice, tells his friends he can’t hang out after school, and puts away his sketchbook for a month to focus on his assignments. 

This causes more and more pressure on him as he isolates himself from the fun and creativity that used to give him a break from school.

Without the activities that keep him balanced, his self-worth starts being solely connected to his performance as a student. 

Griffin's English teacher notices him falling asleep in class and asks the guidance counselor to talk to him. 

Go to page 34

"Homework doesn't really matter...my teachers are just assigning me busy work, and clearly I understand what's happening in class.

I already know that school isn't my thing, so I don't know why I'd try to make up the work."

Griffin stops participating in class discussions since it feels like there’s no point. He avoids making up the homework and is not responsive to his teacher telling him that he is at risk of failing the class. 

Griffin's English teacher doesn't know how else to get through to him. He asks the school guidance counselor to talk to him to understand how they can better support him.

Go to page 34

"I need to talk to someone who can help me navigate this. When I'm in class, I feel present and ready to discuss. It's just keeping track of things outside of class that's hard. 

I'm not trying to be disrespectful by not handing in homework, I just need some help staying organized."