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ABOUT GROUNDHOG DAY
According to folklore, on February 2nd when the groundhog comes out of its burrow, we can predict something about the weather. If the day is sunny and the groundhog can see its shadow, we are in for six more weeks of winter. But if the day is cloudy and the groundhog cannot see its shadow, then spring will soon arrive. |
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GROUNDHOG PICTURE
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For a ‘groundhog”, glue a small brown pompom onto a piece of white construction paper. (or glue on a small circle cut from brown fabric or brown cardboard. |
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When the glue has dried, invite your child to draw a picture on the paper incorporating the groundhog anyway she wishes. |
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Display her finished creation for everyone to admire. |
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GROUNDHOG POP-UP FINGER PUPPET
This puppet is made with an egg carton cup and your finger. |
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Cut an egg cup out of an egg carton. |
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Let your child turn the cup into a “groundhog” burrow by painting it brown. (A drop of dishwashing liquid added to the paint will help it adhere to a plastic-foam cup.) |
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Poke a hole in the bottom of the cup, and use a washable marker to draw a “groundhog face” on your child’s finger. |
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Then have him insert his groundhog finger puppet up through the hole in the burrow and pop it up and down.
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GROUNDHOG POP-UP STICK PUPPET
This puppet is made with a paper cup and a large craft stick.
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Using marking pens, help your child draw a groundhog face on the top of a craft stick. |
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Then take a paper cup and make a slit across the bottom. |
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Turn the cup upright and have your child stick the groundhog up through the slit on the bottom. |
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Have your child move her groundhog up to pop out of the cup and down to hide. |
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GROUNDHOG HEADBANDS
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Give your child a 5” brown circle and two 1” brown ovals and some glue. |
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Have your child glue the two ovals on the top of the brown circle for ears. |
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Next, using marking pens, help your child make a groundhog face on his circle. |
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Next, give your child a 2” x 20” strip of brown paper. |
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Have him glue his groundhog face in the middle of the paper strip. |
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Help your child make a headband by wrapping it around his head and taping it in place. |
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You child can use his headband when he pretends to be a groundhog. |
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GROUNDHOG TUNNEL
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Using blankets and chairs, build a tunnel for your children to crawl through. |
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Turn down the lights and when your child comes out of the tunnel, shine the light on him so he can see his shadow. |
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GROUP TUNNEL
This game is for a group of children.
* Dim room lights.
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BASKET TUNNEL
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Set out a large basket or box. |
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Let your children take turns being the groundhog. |
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Help the child into the basket and have them crouch down. |
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This is fun to do while singing the song “Where Is Groundhog”. |
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PREDICTING WEATHER
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After telling your child the story of Groundhog Day, take him outdoors and let him pretend to be the groundhog. |
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Can he see his shadow or not? What does this “predict” about the upcoming weather?
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SIGNS OF WINTER, SIGNS OF SPRING
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Talk with your child about signs of winter, such as snowflakes, icicles, and bare trees. |
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Talk with your child about signs of spring, such as warm breezes, blooming flowers and baby animals. |
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Write each sign on a separate index card. |
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Place a long piece of yarn on your carpet. |
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Designate one side of the yarn as Winter Signs and the other side as Spring Signs.Then read each card to your child, and help her decide on which side of the yarn to place it. |
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Finally, read through the cards listed under Winter Signs and those listed under Spring Signs. |
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SHADOW FUN
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Remove the shade from a lamp and shine the bright light on a wall. |
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Have your child stand facing the wall with the light behind him. |
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Invite him to experiment with making shadows on the wall using his fingers, hands, and whole body. |
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Let him also try making shadows with various objects, such as torys or kitchen gadgets that have distinctive shapes.
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MEASURING SHADOWS
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Have your child take a favorite object outside on a sunny day. |
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Give him a ruler and show him how to measure the length of the shadow that the object makes. |
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If you want you can have your child measure the same object several times during the day and notice how as the sun moves the length of the shadow changes. |
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GROUNDHOG GREENS
Groundhogs love to nibble on greens.
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At snack time let your child help wash and dry a few fresh spinach leaves plus several leaves of lettuce. |
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Then let her tear the leaves into small pieces and toss them with a favorite dressing for the two of you to enjoy. |
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I’M A LITTLE GROUNDHOG
Tune: “I’m A Little Teapot”
I’m a little groundhog
On my special day.
If I see my shadow,
Then winter will stay.
If I do not see it,
Spring will soon be here,
And all the pretty flowers
Will be blooming far and near.
Heather McPhail
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WHERE IS GROUNDHOG?
Tune: “Frere Jacques”
Where is Groundhog?
Where is Groundhog”
Here I am!
Here I am!
Popping up to say
Happy Groundhog Day.
Here I am! Here I am!
Elizabeth Scofield
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DOWN IN HIS BURROW
Down in his burrow, the groundhog sleeps.
Then he wakes up and takes a peek.
He sees his shadow and back he goes
Six more weeks of winter to go!
Jean Warren
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SPRING IS COMING
Tune: “Frere Jacques”
Spring is coming.
Spring is coming.
This I know
No more snow.
Little groundhog came to say
Spring for sure is on it’s way.
Now I know
Flowers will grow!
Jean Warren
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