BUENA PARK, CA – Whitaker School second-grade teacher Jennifer Feeney is sparking creativity and academic interest in her students by creating engrossing activities during at-home learning sessions.

Feeney, a 22-year veteran of the Buena Park School District, said she’s found major success with online learning by following one simple rule: make learning fun.

Feeney’s weekly routine for her students includes scavenger hunts on Tuesdays, physical wellness activities on Wednesdays and Virtual Spirit Day participation on Thursdays.

Feeney then shows her student’s work on ParentSquare, a communication platform for parents, as a means to share individual achievement and academic rigor throughout the community.

“I try to do something fun every single day, something that sparks my student’s interest,” Feeney said. “It’s all about getting them interested in participation and then getting their parents to see that they’re still learning.”

Feeney said her scavenger hunts will soon include themes such as item names that rhyme, characters from popular children’s novels and science topics.

“I miss being with my students,” Feeney said. “I miss their smiles, being around them and watching their faces light up when they get their ‘a-ha’ moment of realization. However, distance learning work is getting better every day as more and more of my students and their parents and participating.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

041320_BUENAPARK_ONLINE1: Whitaker School second-grade teacher Jennifer Feeney sits at her home computer as she prepares to create online lessons to engage and excite her students during at-home learning sessions.

041320_BUENAPARK_ONLINE2: A Whitaker School second-grader proudly showcases the various colorful items he found during an at-home scavenger hunt lesson. The activity was created by second grade teacher Jennifer Feeney to ensure that students are having fun while practicing distance learning.