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.
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.
Our mission is to provide children the best care and education possible. We provide a safe, caring, and stimulating learning environment where we structure our curriculum around four key elements of social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development to ensure the growth of the whole child. It is our goal to teach to the whole child by encouraging self-discovery, a love of learning, to care for others as well as well as oneself, and an empathy and appreciation of the diversity we see in other people, cultures and customs. Ultimately, we hope that our expert care and comprehensive curriculum will give our children the confidence to become successful, life-long learners. The merits of our school are as follows;
●Individual personalities and abilities are valued and conscientious, personalized guidance is given that match needs.
●Age/level-appropriate small-sized classes follow academic targets and monthly themes in a full year comprehensive curriculum.
●Many hands-on activities and games included in our academic curriculum which all children will enjoy and be eager to learn.
●Guidance and coaching discipline and manners during life at school: greetings, decision making, self-help skills, cleaning up after oneself, and showing consideration for others.
1 – 5 days per week (Monday – Friday)
9:30 a.m. – 14:00 p.m. (4.5 hours)
Children over 2 years of age are eligible to enter the Allie 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.
| 9:30 | Arrival Morning Activities |
|---|---|
| 9:50 | Greeting & Attendance |
| 10:00 | Circle Time, Music & Movement Calendar Circle (month, day, weather, season) |
| 10:30 | Toilet Time & Drink Time (milk or fruit juice) |
| 10:50 | Zoo-phonics Lesson |
| 11:20 | Outdoor/Group Game |
| 12:00 | Lunch/Toilet/Free Play |
| 12:50 | Learning Center following monthly themes |
| 13:20 | Music – songs and rhythmic |
| 13:40 | Story Time |
| 13:50 | Get ready to go home |
| 14:00 | Pick-up Time |
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.
he 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.
We offer to students, who have studied with us for more than a year, an opportunity to participate in United Nations Associations Test of English for children (“Kokuren Eiken Junior Test”).
Zoo-phonics Academy offers exciting educational activities for children of kindergarten age during spring and summer holidays. Detailed information on each program, including dates and availability, will be displayed on the ‘News’ page leading up to the beginning of each season.
