Groundhog Day Information to use with your students

Perhaps, you'd like to share the following with your students on the Monday after Groundhog Day.
Groundhog Day is Sunday, February 2nd

Groundhog Day is Sunday,February 2nd. Its a time when people look to a groundhog to find out whether or not we will be having six more weeks of winter. The idea dates back hundreds of years when people looked to hibernating animals such as badgers, hedgehogs and bears to see when they might wake up from their winter sleep. According to the tradition, if the animals saw its shadow, winter would last several more weeks. If it didnt see its shadow, spring would be soon arriving.
When Europeans, especially the Germans, came to the United States, they brought the tradition. The groundhog became the animals of choice as it hibernated and looked something like the European hedgehog. Groundhog Day started back in the 1880s with the first official celebration on February 2, 1887. The most famous groundhog weather forecaster is Punxsutawney Phil, of Punxsutawney, PA. On February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil , who lives at the Punxsutawney Library is taken to Gobbler Knob and placed in a heated burrow underneath a simulated tree stump on the stage near where hundreds have gathered. At 7:25 if Punxsutawney Phil comes out to make his weather prediction. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesnt see his shadow, spring is on its way!
Did you know that the groundhog, also called woodchuck, is a relatives of the squirrel? Learn some additional Fun facts about groundhogs at this link::http://www.groundhog.org/groundhog-day/fun-facts/

Extension activities:
Pretend you are Punxsutawney Phil.Tell about your big day. What did you hear? What did you see? How did you feel being in the limelight?

Learn about the country of Germany: https://www.timeforkids.com/destination/germany

Read more about the groundhog. Draw/color a picture and write 5 facts learned about the groundhog( in complete sentences). https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/g/groundhog/

The Groundhog isnt the only creature in nature that is used to help forecast weather.Can spiders predict a sunny day? My mother-in-law told me that if you see spiders hanging up their wash(making webs) early on a summer morning, its a sign of a beautiful summer day. See chimney smoke going straight up on a winters day? Another sign of nice weather. But, if you see ants building mounds, its a sign of rain. Same with birds roosting on electrical wires, another sign of coming rain. There are lots of weather folklore. Being observant to nature, can help you predict the days weather, without a weatherman. Illustrate a weather folklore:http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-folklore.htm

Gail Hennessey

http://www.gailhennessey.com

Please check out my resources:

2014 Winter Games: http://www.edworldexchange.com/?q=node/465

Learn about the country of Russia, the host of the games:http://edworldexchange.com/?q=product/russia-country-focuswebquestextensions/2093660849

Learn about China for Chinese New Year:https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Country-in-Focus-China-A-WebquestExtension-Activities-1085517