Otay Ranch Academy for the Arts (ORAA) 1st-grade teacher, Jeannette Fetterhoff, integrates the “Zoophonics” program in her daily teaching. Zoophonics created a character, “Zoophonia” that Mrs. Fetterhoff recently portrayed in her class right down to the accent, wig, and costume. “Zoophonia” is the keeper of the phonics zoo. Mrs. Fetterhoff took on her character in a creative and entertaining way to teach students all about phonics.
Tami Foster, site facilitator, described her character portrayal as “amazing.” Mrs. Fetterhoff shared the following story of her introducing the character to her students:
Mrs. Fetterhoff told her class she had a dentist appointment and that her sister, Zoophonia, was going to substitute for her. Zoophonia, like Mrs. Fetterhoff, is from Texas. She lives on a ranch with the Zoophonics animals. She arrived to substitute for Mrs. Fetterhoff in the morning and was in the classroom until Mrs. Fetterhoff’s return at 12:30.
Zoophonia shared her Allie Alligator and Robby Rabbit puppets with Mrs. Fetterhoff’s class. She read the book Texas Mother Goose, sang Jump Rope Rap and led the class in creating an Elmer Elephant art project.
Though her visit was short this time, Mrs. Fetterhoff assures us that Zoophonia enjoyed her time at Otay Ranch and will return for a longer stay as soon as possible.
