Former Baltimore Teacher Creates Curriculum; Goddard & Nobel Learning Systems To Use Nationally
Baltimore, MD-Former teacher, Angelica Menefee, announces that her Towson-based company, Trampoline, has national received contracts for its creative learning programs from Goddard Systems, Inc,. and Nobel Learning Communities, Inc.
After great success with Trampoline's Spanish program, Goddard asked Trampoline to customize the etiquette program?creating the Goddard Guide to Getting Along. They then added Trampoline's art history program, a Sports Mix program, and a World Cultures and Geography program. As a result, all new franchises in the Goddard system utilize five of the Baltimore-company's programs.
Goddard was named "#1 Childcare Franchise in the United States" by Entrepreneur magazine for the sixth consecutive year in January 2007, and was named one of the "Top 50 Worldwide Up and Comers" by Franchise Times.
Nobel Learning Communities, a national network of more than 150 private schools, hired Trampoline to create a custom Spanish program for students ages two to five.
The program differs from other traditional language courses, in that Spanish is used alongside English in all aspects of the students' educational experience, from singing songs to learning math concepts and playing games.
According to Osborne F. Abbey, Jr., Ed.D., vice president of education for Nobel, "We developed our new language program to introduce students to Spanish, in a similar way to how they learn about the English language." Nobel introduces languages to young children, based on extensive research that indicates children have a natural ability to learn languages at an early age, and that children who speak multiple languages are more creative and reach higher levels of cognitive development earlier than those children learning only one. (ERIC Educational Reports, 1986; Helena Hamayan).
The Nobel curriculum tips and advice for parents?encouraging them to reinforce the Spanish that is being taught in the classroom through creative projects that reinforce vocabulary.
Trampoline, which was founded in 2004 by Angelica Menefee (a former Baltimore County teacher), develops learning programs for pre-schoolers and elementary-aged children in various subject areas, including: foreign languages (Spanish, German, Italian, French) and culture, art history, etiquette, sports, and world cultures and geography. The company also customizes programs, and also offers consulting services and classroom supplies to educators.
According to Ms. Menefee, "Our programs are unique in that they are designed for any teacher to use, even if the teacher has no experience or training in the subject. The modular framework includes creative lesson plans that make teaching easy and learning fun. The intent is to inspire children to learn so they become well-rounded and enjoy learning at a young age, setting habits for life.
Currently, Trampoline's programs have been presented to more than 45,000 students in 38 states. Visit www.TrampolineLearning.com.
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