Successful Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing with Zoo-phonics
About Zoo-phonics Academy
Zoo-phonics Academy programs focus on developing children’s English listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Our children first begin by learning the sounds and body signals from “a” to “z” in order to quickly master phonemic awareness. The use of body signals connecting to the 26 animals is a kinesthetic method which makes learning the alphabet easy, brings fun and excitement into the classroom, and motivates children to learn.
About Zoo-phonics©
Zoo-phonics was developed by two elementary school teachers in California, U.S.A. in the early 1980s and is used in many preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools around the world. In June, 2001, a non-profit organization called “Educators for Phonemic Awareness” chose Zoo-phonics as No.1 program in efficiency of learning, fullness of curriculum, and cost effectiveness, after spending two years to test 170 language arts programs in the U.S. In addition, in January, 2011, Zoo-phonics won a “Learning Magazine 2011 Teachers’ Choice for the Classroom Award” which is a very prestigious and very well recognized award in the educational market in the U.S.
courses
International School (Age 2 to 6 years)
At Zoo-phonics Academy International School we provide a fully integrated preschool curriculum for children 2 to 4 years of age and kindergarten curriculum for children 4 to 6 years of age. Our programs are designed to promote each child’s physical, social, emotional, academic and cognitive skills development. There are two classes in our preschool program; Missy Mouse Class for children aged 2 to 3, and Robby Rabbit Class for children aged 3 to 4. The Deedee Deer Class is our kindergarten program for children aged 4 to 6. Children are placed in level appropriate classes and move up to the next class based on detailed assessments. Children are academically stimulated and encouraged to participate in class discussion as they progress through the program. And as they gain self-confidence, they expand and develop their creativity, social skills, and self-esteem.
Missy Mouse Class(Age 2 to 3 years)
3 – 5 days per week (Monday – Friday)
9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Half Day) / 9:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. (Full Day)
Children over 2 years of age are eligible to enter the Missy Mouse program. This is a small class with a 5 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Children who are apart from their mothers for the first time will receive plenty of individual, warm attention and care from the teachers helping them to adjust to their new environment and routines at school.
Children at this age rapidly build language, motor, and social skills. Our curriculum emphasizes English language arts to first develop children’s listening and speaking ability. Through Zoo-phonics, children develop their phonemic awareness of the 26 letters of the alphabet, which in turn helps them to build a solid foundation for their future reading and spelling skills. We also introduce math concepts including numbers, shapes, and sorting. In Learning Centers connected to monthly themes, children participate in hands-on activities and interact with other children while developing their social skills, such as cooperation, sharing and taking turns. The Song and movement is also a large part of the program and its benefits are indispensable to children of this age.
Robby Rabbit Class(Age 3 to 4 years)
5 days per week (Monday – Friday)
9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Half Day) / 9:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. (Full Day)
The Robby Rabbit program, the second year in the preschool, is for 3 to 4 year old children or children of equivalent level. Children at this age are improving their coordination and are beginning to combine ideas and learn more complex games, all while learning about themselves and each other. Our teachers provide plenty of individual attention to support each child’s unique needs.
Our comprehensive curriculums introduce language arts, math, science, social studies, music, arts, and physical education. Monthly thematic programs motivate and challenge children to learn and develop curiosity and self-direction. With continuous emphasis on language arts by Zoo-phonics, the children will gain phonological awareness skills and begin to combine single sounds into groups to start reading words and short-sentences, and finally on to early literacy Zoo-phonics mini-books. Math lessons will introduce and develop concepts such as numbers, geometry, and measurement through our original math curriculum and plenty of hands-on activities and games. A healthy dose of running, jumping, and dancing during P.E. and play time in the park will keep their bodies active and energetic.
Deedee Deer Class(Age 4 to 6 years)
5 days per week (Monday – Friday)
9:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. (Full Day)
The Deedee Deer Class is a two-year comprehensive academic program for children aged 4 to 6 years old, and who have completed the one-year Robby Rabbit curriculum or equivalent level. Our program helps children build brain power prior to beginning elementary education by supporting the development of judgment, perception, memory, reasoning, critical thinking, and language through a comprehensive curriculum and hands-on activities. The teacher conducts the class in a playful and enjoyable manner since this is an important time in a child’s life to strive to develop a love of learning in their students.
The curriculum is built upon the core areas of language arts, math, science, social studies, music, arts and physical education. Children continue to expand their knowledge in a variety of topics through monthly thematic learning centers while increasing their ability to discuss these topics in English. While learning advanced phonics patterns with the Zoo-phonics’ method, children will start working on literacy with our Home-Reader program. When children complete the first year kindergarten program they will continue to develop their reading comprehension and vocabulary through books, writing journals, and learning center activities, which is equivalent to the U.S. first grade program. During math studies, children will rapidly build their comprehension of large numbers, number operations, geometry, measurements, and more. They will make new friends and gain the confidence, self-esteem, and negotiating skills necessary for a lifetime of healthy relationships.
– schedule –
| 時間 | 内容 |
|---|---|
| 09:30 | Arrival Time |
| 09:30 – 09:45 | Morning Activities |
| 09:45 – 10:00 | Greeting / Attendance |
| 10:00 – 10:20 | Circle Time (Songs / finger plays) Calendar Circle (Month, day, weather, season) |
| 10:20 – 10:50 | Language Arts by Zoo-phonics© Phonemic Awareness / Phonics Games & Activities |
| 10:50 – 11:50 | Snack Time and Free Play or Outdoor Play |
| 11:50 – 12:20 | Learning Center following monthly themes (Math, Music, Arts & Crafts, Cooking, etc.) |
| 12:20 – 12:30 | Story Time |
| 12:30 | Pick-up Time (Half Day) |
| Continue to Full Day Program | |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch and Free Play |
| 13:30 – 14:15 | Afternoon Learning Center (Phonics games, Fine motor skill development, Math, Crafts) |
| 14:15 – 14:30 | Story Time and Class Report |
| 14:30 | Pick-up Time (Full Day) |
Kindergarten ESL Class
– Kindergarten English Class (Age 3 to 6 years) –
Our Kindergarten English Program is a weekly 85 minute English language program developed for children of kindergarten age. Our qualified and experienced English speaking teachers manage classes of up to 8 children. Our program incorporates key components of our highly acclaimed preschool curriculum based on the Zoo-phonics language arts program and kinesthetic method. Classes are organized into four grades based on ability, so children are assured of getting the most from the program, effectively targeting all the core skills of hearing, speaking, reading and writing. Our program’s activities are broad in range: song & rhythmic body movement, introduction of theme-based vocabulary and conversation during circle-time, use of our distinctive and effective language arts program using our internally developed Zoo-phonics textbooks, followed by our arts-and-crafts or story time period. Kindergarten English Classes are suitable for children of all abilities, from beginner to advanced level. In addition, we have fun-filled educational programs available at Summer School and Spring School.
Elementary ESL Class
– Elementary English Class (1st to 6th Grade) –
The Elementary English Program is a weekly 55 minute English language program developed for children of elementary school age from grades 1 to 6. Qualified and experienced English speaking teachers instruct classes of up to 8 students. Classes are organized into six grades based on ability, so children are assured of getting the most out of the program, effectively targeting all the core skills of hearing, speaking, reading and writing. In the first half of the class phonics concepts are introduced through Zoo-phonics’ unique kinesthetic method and original materials. In the later half, textbooks are used that emphasize the Total Physical Response (TPR) method, chants and games, and vocabulary drills, which reinforce concepts and sentence structures, giving children opportunities to use and speak English.
– Advanced English Class (1st to 6th Grade) –
Advanced English Classes are designed for returnees or children who graduated from our international kindergarten, and who desire to further develop their English language ability while they study at a Japanese elementary school. Class sizes up to 8 students. We offer two types of courses; a ‘Conversation Class’ and a ‘Grammar Class’, with each course consisting of four grades levels based on ability. We recommend children to take both courses. To join the Advanced English Class, students will first be assessed by the teacher on their conversational skills, and reading and writing abilities.
Contact
Please contact each school for more information.
