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Secular Curriculum
Teacher at
Hopped Up History
Hey y'all, I’m Janelle—your guide to making history hands-on, engaging, and unforgettable!
History doesn’t have to be a list of dates and dusty events; in my classes, it’s a chance to step into the shoes of emperors, explorers, and revolutionaries. Why? Because middle schoolers are concrete thinkers—they need to see history to connect with it. That’s where hands-on projects and interactive activities come in. From building civilizations to simulating alliances, my goal is to make history stick by making it real.
When it comes to my high school classes, I embrace a unique approach that goes beyond the standard teaching methods. In addition to striving to build strong relationships and relatability with my learners, my goal is to ignite their curiosity right from the beginning through captivating hooks. For me, history extends far beyond a mere collection of dates and events; it encompasses the fascinating exploration of the motives that drove countries, civilizations, and empires to make pivotal choices. I facilitate meaningful discussions that encourage students to think critically, analyze historical contexts, and form their own well-informed opinions. My aim is to empower them to delve into the lessons we can glean from the past and comprehend the profound relevance of history in shaping our lives today.
For high school learners, we dig deeper. I start with captivating hooks to ignite curiosity, then guide discussions that ask why civilizations made pivotal choices. Together, we explore how history’s lessons shape the world today, empowering students to think critically and form their own perspectives.
And while high schoolers might say that simulations and hands-on activities are “lame,” I’ve learned they secretly enjoy them! That’s why, from time to time, we sneak those interactive elements into high school courses too—because who says learning can’t be fun at any age?
With a BA in Political Science (Comparative Politics) and an M.Ed. in Secondary Social Sciences, plus edTPA certification, I bring over a decade of teaching experience to my classes. I specialize in comparative governments, world and US history, and love adding creative twists—think of it like sneaking veggies into dessert.
When I’m not teaching, I’m a mom to three kids (including twins!) and two crazy puppies, Luna Mae and Hessie Jo. I live in Alabama, love Cajun food, Harry Potter, football, gardening, and—of course—traveling to historical places.
Let’s make history come alive together—one project, simulation, and “aha!” moment at a time!
Is getting your learner to dive into history harder than taming a woolly mammoth? This self-paced course is here to make history engaging, exciting, and unforgettable. Here, they won’t just study history—they’ll experience it!
Hopped Up History
Guide your tribe from the Paleolithic to ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia in this 3-day camp! Face thrilling survival challenges & make critical decisions to evolve from prehistoric tribe to a flourishing civilization!
Hopped Up History
Embark on a journey through history with immersive simulations and creative projects! Learners transform into Viking raiders, medieval kings, Ottoman advisors, and French revolutionaries as they explore feudal Europe, the Islamic Golden Age & more!
Hopped Up History
This high school economics class brings real-world concepts to life. Learners will explore key economic principles through a final project, analyzing their favorite celebrities or companies to better understand supply, demand, and market forces.
Hopped Up History
Step into the Viking Age in this 3-day camp! Become 9th-century Norsemen, navigating strategy simulation as raiders, traders, and explorers. Hands-on gameplay, reflections, and a Kahoot quiz bring Viking history to life like never before!
Hopped Up History
Uncover the untold stories of global resistance movements, from the Civil Rights era to the Zapatista Uprising. Delve into espionage, activism, and the unsung heroes who transformed our world in this captivating and thought-provoking course.
Hopped Up History
Is getting your learner to explore the medieval world harder than defending a castle during a siege? Journey through Europe, Asia, Mesoamerica & West Africa with immersive simulations & creative projects —no armor required!
Hopped Up History
Step into modern history! Learners dive into the Industrial Revolution, WWI, WWII, and the Cold War through immersive simulations, hands-on projects, and creative challenges, discovering how these key events have shaped the world we live in today.
Hopped Up History
Is your learner fascinated by the stories hidden in everyday words? Or curious about how ancient history shaped the way we speak today? They’ll become linguistic detectives, uncovering the origins of language with the Greeks, Romans & Vikings!
Hopped Up History
Is getting your learner excited about the Vikings harder than steering a longship through a storm? ⚔️ This self-paced mini-unit takes them from the fall of Rome to the Viking Age with immersive activities and hands-on learning—no shield-wall required
Hopped Up History
Step into the Viking Age with this immersive educational simulation designed for secondary learners. Perfect for middle and high school students, this simulation brings history to life through interactive decision-making and critical thinking.
Hopped Up HistoryDownloadable
Does your learner love adventure but shy away from traditional history classes? In this camp, they’re not just learners—they’re adventurers! They’ll take on the role of a prehistoric leader, guiding their tribe from survival to thriving as a village,
Hopped Up HistoryDownloadable
Who really sparked World War I? Was the Treaty of Versailles right to blame Germany? In this interactive quiz, learners step into the chaos of pre-war diplomacy, unravel key events, and weigh the evidence to decide who they think lit the fuse.
Hopped Up HistoryDownloadable
Experience the French Revolution through the eyes of Alexandre Dumas! In this engaging simulation, make critical decisions as a military leader navigating the Reign of Terror, confronting moral challenges, and shaping the future of Revolutionary Fran
Hopped Up HistoryDownloadable
Guide your tribe from the Paleolithic era to ancient Mesopotamia in Part 1 of Prehistory to Ancient Times: Surviving the Ages. Tackle survival challenges, make critical decisions & lead your tribe from early humans to a thriving civilization!
Hopped Up HistoryDownloadable
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