WHERE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS...
Effortlessly
manage the tricky
social environment
in middle school
so they could be
more academically
successful
Honestly
appreciate
differences
Consistently step
up to leadership
opportunities and
step out of social
drama
Wholeheartedly
compete with
integrity
INTRODUCING ATHENA’S
PATH & HERO’S PURSUIT:
Simply solve their
own problems
instead of
relying on adults,
or peers, to
intervene
Respectfuly
respond to
criticism
“These programs have made a tremendous positive
influence on our middle school students. This has been one
of the best things that we have ever used to respond to the
unique developmental needs of students.” – Denise Watts,
Athena’s Path (for girls) and Hero’s Pursuit
former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Area Superintendent.
(for boys) are semester long elective classes
Newly appointed director of Project L.I.F.T.
developed by Michelle Icard, creator of the
“Michelle’s program [Hero’s Pursuit] is exactly the type of work I
website MichelleintheMiddle.com as well as
other national curricula for adolescents. Since
the programs’ inception in 2004, over 25 schools
have implemented the classes with dramatic
results for students.
hoped will be done for boys. “ – Michael Thompson, PhD., author of 8
books on child development including Raising Cain
“I have been amazed by the
change in students from the
beginning of the year to the end.
This has been a great addition
to our school life” – Sarah Kilby,
Middle School Counselor, Charlotte
Latin School
MichelleInTheMiddle.com
[email protected] |
middleschoolrelief |
@michelleicard | 704.779-6696
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS...
Purchase a site license. The first year cost is $2500 and each yearly renewal is
only $500. Once you register, you will receive a curriculum package including
instructor’s manuals and a training DVD, as well as access to the Teacher
Only portion of our website with new lessons each year and optional teacher
conference calls.
Schedule Athena’s Path & Hero’s Pursuit as an elective period or guidance
component for students
Select teachers and provide them with a copy of our training DVD.
Enjoy the benefits of a student body that is more engaged, responsible,
empathetic, and resilient in middle school!
I know boys would just as soon get a tooth pulled as have a discussion, so I’ve divided the lessons in Hero’s
Pursuit between Working Out and Hanging Out. In Working Out, the boys play a game or do an activity related
to the lesson theme. In Hanging Out, they process what they learned during the activity. Yeah, they’re having a
discussion. They just don’t realize it.
In Athena’s Path, the hands down favorite lesson of students and teachers is called Dealing with Criticism, when
girls learn to differentiate constructive from mean-spirited criticism, then brainstorm positive responses to criticism
and practice using them before the group. This is a game changer for hallway, bus, and bathroom cut-downs.
One of my favorite Hero’s Pursuit lessons involves the Box of Fear. Each boy anonymously writes his worst fear on
an index card and drops it in the box. The fears range anywhere from “snakes” to “heights” to “bullies” to “my
dad”.
Then each boy pulls a card from the box and justifies to the group why the thing on the card is a legitimate
fear. The group realizes everyone has fears and each boy hears the other guys validate his own.
Every lesson in Athena’s Path & Hero’s Pursuit ends with a Thirteen30 moment. It’s my way of showing kids
whether you’re thirteen or thirty or any other age on the spectrum, the stuff you go through in middle school isn’t
that different from what we go through as adults. You have a bully in gym? I have one at work. In the Thirteen30
moment, teachers share their experiences with the lesson topic. It’s a great way to model vulnerability, build
solidarity, and show students these things are not just happening to them (a common middle school belief).
I think the most valuable lesson in both programs is called Creative Problem Solving. In this one, students learn a
five-step process for solving any problem that comes their way. It’s all about thinking outside of the box and seeing
possibilities instead of obstacles. It works!
The instructor’s manuals for both programs come with enough lessons for 5th – 8th grade with a recommended
track for each grade level, but you can customize the course by picking lessons that suit your students best.
Some schools use older students as classroom assistants during Athena’s Path & Hero’s Pursuit. Nothing says
“credibility” to a middle schooler like a high school or college student who isn’t super old, like 30.
MichelleInTheMiddle.com | [email protected] |
middleschoolrelief |
@michelleicard | 704.779-6696