February 2nd is Groundhog's Day. A groundhog is also known as a woodchuck. Every year on this day, we wait for the groundhog to come out to check for his shadow. Legend has it that if he comes out and sees his shadow, he gets scared and goes back underground for more hibernating - meaning six more weeks of Winter weather. If he doesn't see his shadow and isn't scared to come out to play, then we're in for spring weather very soon.
This legend dates back to the late 1800's when the German immigrants came to the U.S. and brought the legend with them.
The groundhog is a member of the rodent family and is a cousin of the prairie dog and beaver.
1)Talk to the children about "shadows". Go outside to use the sun to make your shadow, or an indoor light works as well. A fun thing to do is make the room as dark as possible and then use a flashlight to make shadows and shadow puppets on the walls and ceilings.
2)Have the children color a small picture of a groundhog. Glue it onto a popsicle stick. Put him into a styrofoam cup sticking the stick through the bottom of the cup. Then the children can pretend the cup is his burrow and use the stick to pop him in and out of it.
3)Fingerplay with the groundhogs.
Furry little groundhog
Hiding in your hole.
Please come out to see us.
It's really not that cold.
And if you see your shadow
Don't get scared and hide.
Come out with us and play awhile
Before you go back inside!
