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:
Athena’s Path (for girls) and Hero’s Pursuit
(for boys) are semester long elective classes
developed by Michelle Icard, creator of the
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, former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Area Superintendent.
Newly appointed director of Project L.I.F.T.
website MichelleintheMiddle.com as well
“Michelle’s program [Hero’s Pursuit] is exactly the
type of work I hoped will be done for boys.“
as other national curricula for adolescents.
Michael Thompson, PhD., author of 8 books on child
development including Raising Cain
Since the programs’ inception in 2004, over
25 schools have implemented the classes with
dramatic results for students.
“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
HOW
DOES IT
WORK?
MichelleInTheMiddle.com
[email protected] |
middleschoolrelief |
@michelleicard | 704.779-6696
THIS IS HOW IT WORKS...
1
Purchase your manuals for $199 each. Be sure to purchase enough for each
teacher to have their own so they can make personal notes for each lesson.
2
Schedule Athena’s Path & Hero’s Pursuit as an elective period or guidance
component for students
3
Select teachers and provide them with a copy of our training DVD.
4
Enjoy the benefits of a student body that is more engaged, responsible,
empathetic, and resilient in middle school!
7 Things I Want You To Know About Athena’s Path & Hero’s Pursuit
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