Enthusiast of all things historical
Hey y’all, I’m Janelle—founder of Hopped Up History Education LLC and the creator of all the interactive simulations and scenario-based curriculum you’ll find here. I’m passionate about helping learners see the past not just as something to memorize, but something to experience.
History isn’t just a collection of dates and events—it’s full of decisions, dilemmas, and drama. In my classes, learners don’t just read about the past; they become historical figures, stepping into the shoes of emperors, warriors, revolutionaries, and explorers in my “choose your own adventure”-style simulations. Every choice they make shapes the story, just like it did for real people in history.
Middle schoolers are concrete thinkers—they need to see and do to connect. That’s why my classes are packed with hands-on projects, interactive storytelling, and collaborative decision-making. From building ancient civilizations to navigating Cold War diplomacy, every lesson is designed to engage their curiosity while building historical thinking skills.
💬 Parent feedback:
“Mrs. Janelle is a fantastic teacher that makes history fun! They do a lot of games and simulations to learn about different civilizations. You may start to question if they’re learning anything while having so much fun, but I can assure you, when my daughter did her final project I was blown away by all she had learned! Highly recommend!”
For high school students, we go even deeper—exploring how political, economic, and cultural forces influenced major historical turning points. We open with curiosity-driven questions and close with critical thinking. And while some teens may act “too cool” for simulations, I’ve found they secretly love them.
A little more about me...
I hold a BA in Political Science (Comparative Politics) and an M.Ed. in Secondary Social Sciences. I’m certified through edTPA and bring over a decade of experience in both classroom and online education. My teaching blends academic rigor with creativity—think of it like sneaking veggies into dessert: students are having fun, but they’re absorbing complex concepts without even realizing it.
When I’m not teaching, I’m a mother to an awesome kid and two energetic dogs, Luna Mae and Hessie Jo. I call Alabama home, and I love Cajun food, Harry Potter, football, gardening, and visiting historical sites with my family.
Let’s make history come alive—one simulation, decision, and “aha!” moment at a time!
Pursuing Progress Over Perfection
Martha Jackson is a seasoned English teacher with over 15 years of experience teaching middle and high school students in public schools, homeschool communities, and online. She holds a BA in English and previously held a Florida teaching certificate for grades 6–12 ELA.
Martha specializes in helping teens grow as readers, writers, and thinkers through literature that challenges, inspires, and connects to broader historical themes. Her classes are a natural fit with Hopped Up History’s curriculum—many of her book selections align with the eras and ideas we explore in our history simulations.
Whether she’s guiding students through literary analysis or helping them craft a strong thesis, Martha brings warmth, clarity, and structure to every class. Learners build skills they can use for school—and for life.
💬 What parents are saying:
“This section of the Contemporary Classics series was incredible, just like the rest of Ms. Martha's classes! The books managed to balance being vivid and fascinating while also explaining significant historical topics from the 20th century. Not only that, but class discussions helped everyone understand all the extra details a skim-reader would miss. The homework and projects were fun and engaging instead of the never-ending, boring drawl found in so many other classes. In summary, I can't recommend this class enough--it is absolutely a must-join!”
— Parent & student review
Well, the simple answer is that middle schoolers are concrete thinkers. They haven't fully developed the ability to think in abstract terms yet, which typically starts forming during high school. Consequently, if middle schoolers can't see something in its concrete form, they struggle to relate to it and it doesn't stick in their minds. That's where hands-on projects become invaluable for middle schoolers. They need to witness something done concretely before they can actively participate in discussions and truly grasp the concepts. That's why hands-on learning activities are so vital for this age group.
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.
Yes, you will have continued access to all course materials for 1 year after enrollment. This allows you to review the content and any feedback provided by the instructor.
For self-paced courses, you will have access to teacher interaction for the duration of the lessons, which varies by course. Please see individual course descriptions to determine the length of teacher interaction.
Live classes and tutoring sessions are conducted online via Zoom. After booking a session, you’ll receive a link to join the meeting at the scheduled time.
Live group class meetings cannot be rescheduled. If you need to reschedule a tutoring session, please notify me at least 24 hours in advance.
Yes, I am currently an approved ESA vendor for Alabama, Arizona, Braintree Academy, Florida, Louisiana, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. I am also pending approval in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Wyoming.
If there’s a specific program you'd like me to be approved for, please feel free to reach out. I’m always open to exploring new opportunities to expand my offerings.
If you need to take a break from your self-paced course, you can do so at any time. Your progress will be saved, and you can return to the course when you’re ready, as long as it’s within the 120-day access period.
If you need to withdraw from a class, you can receive a full refund if you cancel up to ten days before the class's start date. After that period, refunds may not be available, but you can contact me to discuss your situation. Please contact me directly to initiate the refund process.
Yes, sibling discounts are available for families enrolling multiple children in per-learner subscription plans, such as Structured Scholar: Live Edition or Self-Paced Standalone Courses.
Please contact me directly to discuss available discount options and how they can be applied to your enrollment. I’m happy to help make these courses more accessible for families with multiple learners.
Note: The Homeschool History Essentials and Self-Paced Scholar Memberships are family plans and already include access for all learners in your household.
To enroll, simply visit the course page, select the course you’re interested in, and complete the checkout process. Once enrolled, you’ll receive access to the course materials.
Yes, my courses can be taken in any order based on your preferences and needs. However, I highly recommend taking them in chronological order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. This sequencing allows you to trace the evolution of ideas, events, and societies over time, fostering a more coherent and interconnected understanding of history.
Most courses do not have prerequisites, but some may recommend a basic understanding of the subject matter. Each course description will indicate if prior knowledge or preparation is suggested.
While my courses can be taken in any order, I highly recommend following a chronological sequence for a deeper, more connected understanding of world history. Here’s the best path:
Ancient World History: Early Civilizations
Ancient World History: Classical Era
Medieval World History: Europe, Asia & the Islamic World
Early Modern World History: Renaissance to Revolutions
Modern World History: Industry to World Wars
Modern World History: Cold War Era & Beyond
Following this order helps learners see the evolution of ideas, societies, and historical events over time, creating a cohesive and engaging learning experience.
That said, you’re free to start wherever fits your interests and learning goals—history should be flexible and fun!
Punctuality is strongly encouraged to ensure a smooth progression of the class. While late arrivals are allowed to join and participate from the moment they arrive, please note that due to time constraints, we cannot restart simulations or catch up on missed activities. Arriving on time helps maximize the learning experience for everyone.
Active participation is crucial for meaningful engagement and learning in my classes. I encourage learners to contribute to discussions, share their perspectives, and ask questions. While the chat feature can be used for quick questions or clarifications, in-depth discussions should be reserved for our face-to-face interactions to promote critical thinking.
My classes thrive on active student interaction and participation. The teaching methods include simulations and critical thinking activities designed to engage and inspire. If active participation proves challenging, we may transition to a lecture format to ensure all essential material is covered. I encourage all learners to actively participate, share their thoughts, and contribute to creating a dynamic and enriching learning environment.
Group projects are not required in this course. All assignments and projects are designed to be completed individually, though peer feedback and interaction are encouraged.
For live courses, materials will be provided in advance of each session and may also be distributed during the live meetings. Access to live class materials may continue for the duration of the course and may include additional resources for further study.
For self-paced courses, all materials, including videos, handouts, and assignments, will be accessible as soon as you enroll. You’ll have access to these materials for 120-days.
While financial aid is not currently offered, payment plans and partial or full scholarship opportunities may be available. Please contact me for more information on payment options and scholarships.
Some courses may require the purchase of textbooks or specific materials, which will be noted in the course description. Most digital materials and resources are provided at no additional cost.
For questions or support, you can contact the instructor via email. If you’re enrolled in a membership, you can also connect through the community discussion area.
Optional 1:1 tutoring sessions are available for purchase.
Discounted support sessions are offered specifically for learners in self-paced classes.
Feedback on assignments will be provided regularly, typically before you move on to the next topic. Feedback will be sent out on Mondays and Thursdays. If you need additional support or have questions, feel free to reach out anytime.
Yes, upon request, you can receive a certificate of completion once you finish the course. This is especially useful if you need to provide documentation for homeschool records or other educational purposes.
Yes, if you’d like to receive a letter grade, progress report, or other forms of assessment, please let me know. These requests can be accommodated upon request and can be requested via email.
If you encounter any technical issues, please contact me as soon as possible. I'm here to help troubleshoot any problems so you can continue with your coursework without interruption.
You’ll need a reliable internet connection, a computer or tablet, and access to Zoo,. Additionally, you may need access to a printer for some assignments.
If you experience technical issues during a live class or tutoring session, please try reconnecting. If the issue persists, contact me immediately so we can troubleshoot or reschedule if necessary.
Feedback is always welcome! You can provide feedback through email. Your suggestions help improve the course for future learners.