Groundhog Day

Crafts

*make silhouettes of the children
*pop-up groundhog puppets - make a pompom groundhog and attach to a popsicle stick with a hot glue gun; poke the stick through the bottom of a dixie or styrofoam cup so the groundhog puppet can pop out of his hole
*make silhouette pictures by cutting an image and pasting the "shadow" image under it

Science

*experiment making and observing shadows
*make a sun dial

Dramatic Play

*add groundhog ears to the dramatic play area

Circle Time

*Groundhog's Day is Finally Here
*Jolly Little Groundhog
*Groundhog Poem
*See My Shadow
*I'm A Little Groundhog

*Gretchan Groundhog, It's Your Day
*Shadows
*Groundhog Day

*Shadow guessing game - use a projector or flashlight to make animals with your hands and children guess what they are. Children can take turns making their own hand shadow puppets

Water & Sand Play

*add plastic groundhogs to the sand table so children can dig holes for him to pop out of

Outdoor Play

*Shadow Tag - person who is "it" tries to touch or jump on another person's shadow. Once a shadow has been caught, that person now becomes the shadow chaser

Field Trips / Special Days

*go on an adventure walk looking for shadows
*have a Groundhog's Day Party

Songs

Groundhog's Day is Finally Here

(sung to: Green Acres Theme)

Groundhog's Day is finally here
Springtime may soon be near
Warm weather's just around the bend
Hide that shadow just give me that sunshine, friend!

Jolly Little Groundhog

Jolly little groundhog
As happy as can be
He'll be waking up soon
To see what he can see.
We hope the sky is cloudy
And out our friend will stay
For then we'll know for sure
That spring is on its way.

Printouts

Related Sites

Preschool Education's music and songs for Groundhog's Day.

Child Fun

Crafts for Kids

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