Hello, my name is Janae Martin and I am so excited to begin my second year year here at Hickory Ridge! 

I was born and raised in northern Michigan and graduated from Central Michigan University. While at CMU I majored in secondary social studies education with an emphasis in political science. I also hold a history minor.  In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors, traveling, and learning about our nation and our worlds history. 

This semester I have the exciting opportunity to teach both American History II and a history elective course titled Holocaust and Genocide. 

Course Overview American History II:

The study of American History II is designed as a survey course and a continuation of the Civics and Economics and American History I curriculum. After the study of American History I, this survey course will begin with Post Civil War/Reconstruction Era up to modern day. Throughout the competency goals, there will be some overlap of time periods to allow for teacher flexibility and to address the complexity of the issues and events. The focus of this course provides students with a framework for studying political, social, economic, and cultural issues, and for analyzing the impact these issues have had on American society and the world. This course goes beyond memorization of isolated facts to the development of higher-level thinking skills, encouraging students to make historical assessments, evaluations and discoveries.

Course Overview Holocaust and Genocide:

Mass violence, torture, and mistreatment of human beings are continuing aspects of humanity. This course will provide students with a greater understanding of the psychological, sociological, cultural, and political roots of Genocide, human cruelty, and mass violence. This half year course begins with an in depth analysis of the Holocaust, first looking at the term "Genocide" and then looking at the major flash points of this conflict, including a history of anti-Semitism, Jewish life before the Holocaust, Hitler's rise to power, Jews in Germany and Europe, World War II, Poland and the death camps, the Final Solution, resistance and rescue, the U.S.' response, liberation, and the Nuremberg Trials. The course will then transition in applying the concepts and factors that make the environment ripe for a Genocide and apply them to case studies of Genocide globally. Students will discuss other global genocides such as Armenia and Rwanda. Ultimately, this course seeks to uncover the various themes and patterns of Genocides, honor those who have been lost in ethnic conflict, and remember their history and legacy in order to prevent this pattern from occurring again.  

Schedule 

1st Period: American History II

2nd Period: Prep 

3rd Period: Holocaust and Genocide 

4th Period: Holocaust and Genocide