Ground Hog Day

Crafts and Activities

Groundhog's Home

Find a box large enough for a child to crawl in and let them decorate it like a groundhog's home. Paint it , draw trees on it, etc.. Then let them pretend to be groundhogs crawling in and out of their "hole".

Groundhog Puppets

Using brown construction paper, cut groundhog faces about 1 1/2 in across.

Spread glue on face and attach thin wisps of cotton to represent fur.

Glue on paper eyes, nose and mouth. Attach to a popsicle stick. Cut a slit in the bottom of a sm paper cup and have the children push the bottom of the stick into it. Show the children how to make the groundhog appear and disappear.

Using these puppets, sing any song and have the children act out the movements.

Shadows can also become part of the lesson. Let a child pretend to be a groundhog and "pop" out of a cardboard box. Light directed at the "groundhog" will produce his shadow. One time the child can see his shadow and "pop" back down and another time he will not see it so the "groundhog" stays up to "play".

Groundhog Puppets

Let the children use felt-tip markers to draw groundhog faces on the top halves of tongue depressors. Give them each a small paper cup with a slit in the bottom. Have them push the bottoms of their tongue depressors through the slits in their cups. Show them how to move their sticks up and down to make their groundhogs appear and disappear.

If I Were A Groundhog

Have the children draw pictures of what they would do if they were groundhogs and saw their shadows. Ask them to describe their pictures as you write down their stories on their papers.

Groundhog Mask

Have children color a paper plate brown and then cut out holes for the children's eyes. Cut a nose and mouth from construction paper and glue on plate. Punch a hole on each side of the plate and attach yarn and tie around each child's head.

Brown Playdough

Mix up a batch of brown playdough and sculpt groundhogs.

Groundhog Tunnel Game

Have the children line up in a row. (If there are a lot of children, have them line up in two rows.) To form a tunnel, have them stand close together with their legs apart. Let the last person in the row be the groundhog. Have the first groundhog through the tunnel on his or her stomach. When the groundhog reaches the end of the tunnel, have him or her stand up and become a part of the tunnel while a new groundhog starts wiggling through.

Shadow Tag

Let the children play shadow tag on a sunny day. Choose a child to be "it". Have "it" try to step on another child's shadow. Then "it" steps on someone's shadow, that child becomes the next "it".

Shadow making

Explain to the children that shadows are caused by objects that get in the way of the sun or a bright light. Shine the light from a film projector, a slide projector or a lamp on a bare wall. Turn off the lights in the room. Let the children stand in front of the bright light and experiment with making their own shadows. Ask them to make big shadows, little shadows, animal shadows and moving shadows.

Mr. Groundhog

Let the children take turns being Mr. Groundhog popping out of his hole (a larger cardboard box) Hint: Arrange your room so that you can create or take away a shadow. Overhead lights would eliminate a shadow and a low light aimed directly at the "groundhog" would create a shadow.

Groundhog Tunnel

Cut a hole in each end of a large cardboard box. Have children crawl in one end and out the other end.

Groundhog Maze

Set up a maze in the classroom by using tables and chairs. Children can pretend they are groundhogs crawling through their tunnels.

Groundhog Lunches

Groundhogs like to nibble on grasses and other greens that grow near their burrows. For "groundhog lunches" let the children help make watercress and romaine lettuce salads to eat with a favorite dressing.

Shadow Cookies

Give children two different types of cookie dough. (Refrigerated sugar and chocolate chips cookie dough would work well.) Let them make two balls and push them into each other. Then have them flatten the cookies and bake them to create a shadow cookie.

Making Shadows

Using chocolate chips and butterscotch or peanut butter chips, let the children create shadows. Using the light colored chips have them make a small shape, and next to it, use the darker chips to create it's shadow. The shadow may be larger than the original shape.

Groundhog Stew

4 lbs. beef for stew, cut in 1 1/2" cubes

1 lb. carrots sliced

2 1/2 lbs. potatoes, quartered

1/2 lb celery, chunks

1 onion diced

In large pan, cook the beef in water until it is almost done. Add vegetables and cook until tender. Two envelopes of brown gravy mix can be added for extra flavor.

Food With Holes

Since groundhogs are known for poking out of holes, let children sample some foods with holes such as donuts, bagels, or swiss cheese.

Shadows

Have the children make their own "shadows" out of black bulletin board paper. I send each "shadow" home with the children with the following letter:

Daycare Parents:

Let me introduce myself, I am ____________'s Shadow. My name is Flat _________________. I would really enjoy it if you would send me through the mail, to one of your family members or friends that live out of town. Please ask them to take me to two or three points of interest around their town and take a picture of me. (They can use tape and tape me up or prop me up against something. Get creative!!) I would also appreciate a picture of me with them and one with __________________ and their family. I also have a “mini- journal” that I would like someone to write about where I’ve gone and all of my adventures. You can send this letter with me, so it can help explain. After that, please have them fold me up and send me, the journal, and the pictures back to ____________________ by March 10th. At that time, I will get with ______________________ and their class and talk about my adventures, read my journal and look at my pictures. Other Flat Kids are going to other places and getting their pictures taken, I can’t wait to find out where I’m going!!!

Thanks for taking care of me!

Signed,

Flat _________________________

PS: If you have any questions about this fun project, please let Sharon (____________'s teacher) know! She’ll be more than happy to help!

Talk about shadows Big, small, alike, different, making one at night, on a cloudy day, etc. Make shadows with blocks and a flashlight or anything with a flashlight.

Make a groundhog:

Collect several 2 liter bottles

Wrap brown construction paper around the bottle and tape it closed

Use wiggly eyes, crayons, construction paper, pom poms, etc. to make the groundhog

When done slide it off the bottle.

Book List

Geoffrey Groundhog Predicts the Weather by Bruce Koscielniak

Will Spring Be Early or Will Spring Be Late? Crockett Johnson, (Harper, 1959)

Shadow magic, Danata Montanari & Giovanna Mantegazza, (Universe Publishing, 1994)

Bear Shadow, Frank Asch, (Prentice Hall, 1985)

Wake Up Groundhog, Carol Cohan, (Crown, 1975)

Groundhog's Day at the Doctor, Judy Delton, (Parents, 1981)

Shadow, Gomi, (Heian, 1981)

My Shadow and I, Patty Wolcott, (Addison-Wesley, 1975)

Songs and Fingerplays

Mr. Groundhog

(Tune: "Frere Jacques")

Mr. Groundhog, Mr. Groundhog,

Take a peek, Take a peek.

If you see your shadow

The weather will be awful

For six more weeks, six more weeks.

See My Shadow

(Tune: "Frere Jacques")

See my shadow, See my shadow

Move this way, Move this way

Doing things that I do,

Doing things that I do

Follow me, Follow me

Groundhog Rhyme

(Tune: "Baa Baa Black sheep")

Groundhog, Groundhog

Will you come out?

Yes Sir, Yes Sir

If the sun is not about

Groundhog, Groundhog

The sun is shining Bright

Then I'll hop back in and curl up tight

I'm a Little Groundhog

(tune: "I'm a Little Teapot")

I'm a little groundhog short and stout,

February second I will come out.

If I see my shadow they will shout,

"Six weeks more winter without doubt!"

Here's a Little Groundhog

(Tune: "I'm a little teapot"

Here's a little groundhog, furry and brown,

He's popping up to look around.

If he sees his shadow, down he'll go.

Then six more weeks of winter - Oh No!!

Groundhog, Groundhog

(Tune: "Baa Baa Black Sheep")

Groundhog, Groundhog, popping up today.

Groundhog, Groundhog, can you play?

If you see your shadow, hide away.

If there is no shadow, you can stay.

Groundhog, Groundhog, popping up today.

Groundhog, Groundhog, can you play?

Mr. Groundhog

(Tune: "London Bridges")

Mr. Groundhog down below

Pop up through the fluffy snow

See his shadow watch him go.

Winter's here to stay

OH NO!!!

Mr. Groundhog down below

pops up through the fluffy snow

Wide awake he wants to play

Spring is on it's way

Hurray!!!

It's Shadow Time!

(Tune: "Itsy-bitsy Spider")

The Furry Little Groundhog

Goes in his hole to sleep

Through the cold winter's

Snow and Ice so deep!

In February

He stretches to and fro

Does the furry little groundhog

Get scared by his shadow?

The Little Groundhog

(Tune: "Pop goes the Weasel")

Sleeping, sleeping in the ground,

All winter long,

The little Groundhog sleeps so sound.

Snore! Goes the Groundhog.

Sleeping, sleeping in the ground,

All winter long,

The little groundhog stretches and wakes.

Pop! Goes the groundhog.

He rubs his eyes, and looks around

What does he see? He sees the sun so bright and warm

Pop! goes the Groundhog.

He's sleeping, sleeping in the ground,

All winter long,

The little groundhog sleeps so sound,

Snore! Goes the groundhog.

Look All Around

(Tune: "I'm a Little Teapot" )

See the little groundhog,

Furry and Brown

See the little groundhog,

Look all around.

If he sees his shadow, down he goes.

There's more winter,

Little Groundhog knows.

Little Groundhog

(Tune:“Little White Duck)

There's a little groundhog

Who lives in the ground,

A little groundhog

Who likes to look around.

She comes outside on Groundhog's Day

If she sees her shadow, then she runs away.

There's a little groundhog,

Who loves to stay and play

When spring's on its way.

Can you Play?

(Tune: Frere Jacques)

Little Groundhog, little groundhog,

Can you play, can you play?

Popping up your head,

Popping up your head,

Can you play? Don't run away.

Little Groundhog, Little groundhog,

Can you play, can you play?

Running all around,

On the cold hard ground

Can you play? Please, please stay!

Little groundhog, little groundhog,

Can you play, can you play?

You can't see your shadow,

You can't see your shadow,

Here comes spring, hip hurray!

I'm a Little Groundhog

(Tune: “I’m a Little Teapot”)

I'm a little groundhog,

Furry and Brown.

When winter comes

I sleep underground.

I'm curled up

As cozy as can be.

When it's spring,

Please wake me!

Nine Little Groundhogs

(Tune: “Ten Little Indians”)

One little, two little,

Three little groundhogs,

Four little, five little,

Six little groundhogs,

Seven little, eight little

, Nine little groundhogs,

Sleeping down under the ground.

What Is a Shadow

(Finger Play)

If I walk, my shadow walks. (Use two fingers, in walking motion)

If I run, my shadow runs (Same fingers in running motion)

And when I stand still, as you can see (Same fingers, standing still)

My shadow stands beside me. (Use first two fingers on other hand and stand beside the first two fingers)

When I hop, my shadow hops, (First two fingers, hopping)

When I jump, my shadow jumps (Same fingers, jump)

And when I sit still, as you can see, (same fingers, bend at knuckles to sit.)

My shadow sits beside of me, (Use as before, both sets of fingers sitting beside each other. )

Mr. Groundhog

(Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”)

Mr. Groundhog in the ground.

Pop your head up, look around.

Do you see your shadow?

Look up high and look down low.

Mr. Groundhog in the ground.

Pop your head up, look around.

Groundhog Song

(Tune:"Oh, My Darling Clementine" )

Mr. Groundhog, Mr. Groundhog,

Where are you today?

Mr. Groundhog, Mr. Groundhog,

Are you coming out to play?

If your shadow you do see,

Will you run away and hide?

Then more days of winter

We'll expect to see outside.

Groundhog

(Tune:"Camptown Races")

Who is scared of his shadow?

Groundhog, Groundhog!

Who can make the winter go?

That's the groundhog, too.

If his shadow shows,

Six more weeks of snow.

Little groundhog, do not fear,

Spring will soon be here.

I'm A Little Groundhog

(Tune:"I'm A Little Teapot")

I'm a little groundhog, it's my day.

Wake and stretch; go out and play.

Down in my burrow, down so deep,

Time to wake up, from my long winter's sleep.

Grumble, grumble, scratch, scratch, (dramatic action)

Grunt, grunt, yawn.

I'll eat my breakfast in your front lawn.

I'm a little groundhog, it's my day.

Wake and stretch; go out and play.

FIVE GROUNDHOGS

(Finger Play)

The first groundhog digs a home in the fall,

And curls up all winter rolled up like a ball.

The second groundhog comes out of his lair.

On February second to get some fresh air.

The third groundhog looks up at the sun.

He then sees his shadow and goes on the run.

The fourth groundhog at his dark shadow peeks,

He goes into his deep home for six more weeks.

The fifth groundhog hopes that skies will be gray

So that he'll know that spring's on its way.

Wake Up Song

(Tune:"Twinkle Twinkle Little Star")

Wake up, Groundhog. Time to see

What the weather's Going to be.

Time to stretch, Time to think,

Time to eat, And time to drink.

Wake up Groundhog, Time to see

What the weather's Going to be!

Groundhog Groundhog

(Tune:Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star")

Groundhog, groundhog, come and play.

It's a warm and sunny day.

It's too nice to stay inside

Wake up now and come outside.

If your shadow comes with you,

He can do the things we do!

Groundhog Song

(Tune:Oh, My Darling Clementine)

Mr. Groundhog, Mr. Groundhog,

Where are you today?

Mr. Grounghog, Mr. Groundhog,

Are you coming out to play?

If your shadow you do see,

Will you run away and hide?

Then more days of winter

We'll expect to see outside.

Groundhog

(Tune: Camptown Races)

Who is scared of his shadow?

Groundhog, Groundhog!

Who can make the winter go?

That's the groundhog, too.

If his shadow shows,

Six more weeks of snow.

Little groundhog, do not fear,

Spring will soon be here.

FIVE GROUNDHOGS

The first groundhog digs a home in the fall,

And curls up all winter rolled up like a ball.

The second groundhog comes out of his lair.

On February second to get some fresh air.

The third groundhog looks up at the sun.

He then sees his shadow and goes on the run.

The fourth groundhog at his dark shadow peeks,

He goes into his deep home for six more weeks.

The fifth groundhog hopes that skies will be gray

So that he'll know that spring's on its way.

Wake Up Song

Tune: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star)

Wake up, Groundhog.

Time to see

What the weather's

Going to be.

Time to stretch,

Time to think,

Time to eat,

And time to drink.

Wake up Groundhog,

Time to see

What the weather's

Going to be!

See My Shadow

(Tune: "Frere Jacques")

See my shadow, See my shadow

Move this way, Move this way

Doing things that I do, Doing things that I do

Follow me, Follow me

Groundhog Rhyme

(Tune: "Baa Baa Black Sheep")

Groundhog, Groundhog

Will you come out?

Yes Sir, Yes Sir

If the sun is not about

Groundhog, Groundhog

The sun is shining Bright

Then I'll hop back in and curl up tight

I'm a Little Groundhog

(Tune: "I'm a Little Teapot")

I'm a little groundhog short and stout,

February second I will come out.

If I see my shadow they will shout,

"Six weeks more winter without doubt!"

Groundhog, Groundhog

(Tune: "Baa Baa Black Sheep")

Groundhog, Groundhog, popping up today.

Groundhog, Groundhog, can you play?

If you see your shadow, hide away.

If there is no shadow, you can stay.

Groundhog, Groundhog, popping up today.

Groundhog, Groundhog, can you play?

Hey, Mr. Groundhog!

(Tune: "Frere Jacques") Sleeping groundhog, sleeping groundhog.

Today's the day, today's the day!

Tell us please if spring's near.

Or will winter stay here?

Come out and stay, come out and stay!

The Groundhog Came Out Of His Hole

(Tune: “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow”)

The Groundhog Came Out of His Hole

The Groundhog came out of his hole

The Groundhog came out of his hole

The Groundhog came out of his hole

To see if spring was here

To see if spring was here

To see if spring was here

The only thing he saw

The only thing he saw

The only thing he saw

Was his shadow looking at him!

Teaching Procedure:

1. Ask the class if they know the tune to the song "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" or the song "The Bear Went Over the Mountain".

2. Sing entire song with singing voice. Make sure the steady speaking voice goes up and down.

3. Ask the class what types of movements can be used for each line. (Groundhog, hole, see, spring, saw, and shadow) Use different body parts to show the movements and work with a partner.

4. Sing the song using the different movements. Have the class sing the song without help.

5. Ask the class if there are other themes and words that one can use to make the song different.

6. Have the class do a different theme using the same tune of the song.