GROUNDHOG DAY activities
Make a 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 grounghog's crawling in and out of their "hole"
Groundhog Puppets (from Totline)
Using brown construction paper, cut groundhog faces about 1 1/2 in across.
Spread glue on face and attach thin whisps 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 this song and have the children act out the
movements.
HERE'S A LITTLE GROUNDHOG
sung to "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!
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, GROUNDHOG
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?
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 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.
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.
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".
Mr. Groundhog
Let the children take turns being Mr. Grounghog 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.
Resource; Early Childhood, Themes Through the Year, by, Teacher Created
Materials
Look all around
Sung to: 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.
Nine Little Groundhogs
Sung to: 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.
Have fun singing this song with loud voices, with "inside voices", with
whisper voices, and then with "lip" voices (lips move but no sound comes out).
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
Sung to 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.
Little Groundhog
Sung to 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?
Sung to: Frere Jacques
Little Goundhog, 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
Sung to: 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!
Groundhog Song
Sung to: 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.
Here's a Little Groundhog
Sung to: I'm a Little Teapot
Here's a little groundhog, furry and brown.
He's coming up to look around.
If he sees his shadow, down he'll go ---
Then six more weeks of winter--oh, no!
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 grounghogs are known for poking out of holes, let children sample some
foods with holes such as donuts, bagels, or swiss cheese.
Groundhog
(sung to: 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.
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
Find a groundhog shape and make a paper bag puppet
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!
Sing this song to the tune of "Pop goes the Weasel." The children
will all curl up on the floor and "snore" and "pop" as the song
indicates.
THE LITTLE GROUNDHOG
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.
*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.
See My Shadow
Sung to: "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
Sung to: "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
sung to: "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
Sung to: "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
Sung to: "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
Sung to: "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!
Sung to: "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 original author unknown
Sung to: "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
Sung to: "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
Sung to: "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?
Sung to: 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!
Submitted by: Cheryl original author unknown
I'm a Little Groundhog
Sung to: "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
Sung to: "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
Sung to: 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
Sung to: "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
Sung to: "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
Sung to: "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.
click on AMAZON TO ORDER BOOKS
Click to view archives of sharing
© 1997 send a message to owner of sharing