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Groundhog Order of events
Read the sentence. Number them in chronological order. Create an image to go with the story.
If the Groundhog does not see his shadow and stays outside, warm weather is coming.
People gather to watch the Groundhog on February second.
Then he looks for his shadow.
The Groundhog comes out of his hole.
But if he sees his shadow, the Groundhog will run back into his hole.
This means we will have six more weeks of cold weather.
Download the complete lesson.
How many words can you make?
How many words can you make using the letters in "Happy Groundhog Day" and Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania"?Give this a try on your own or download the word docs below.
How Many Words in Groundhog Day
How Many Words in Punxsutawney, PA
RHYME TIME - For Better or Verse
(A Poetic History of Groundhog Day)
By Terry A. Fye (used by permission)
Let us tell you the story of Punxsutawney Phil -
The world’s greatest groundhog, the king of the hill.
He predicts the weather and he’s known everywhere;
Look for him February 2nd-and he’ll be there.
Phil crawls out of the burrow on his special day.
Will there be winter or spring?-Oh, what will he say?
If he sees his shadow, look for more ice and snow!
But spring’s-a-coming when there’s no black shadow.
Many thousands of people clap, smile, and cheer
And they have fun Groundhog Day every year.
How’d this little brown animal become such a star?
To find the answer, you don’t have to go far.
Travel to Jefferson County in the Keystone State
Head to Punxsutawney where we all celebrate.
Near town there’s a big hill called Gobbler’s Knob,
Where Phil does his famous forecasting job.
Long before people came here to build log homes
The fields were the places where woodchucks roamed.
They shared the land with Indians who were here first;
But, when white people came, the tribes of natives dispersed.
Still the groundhogs kept digging their underground rooms;
Where they would scamper when the hunters’ guns boomed.
Pioneer settlers watched animals to learn about weather;
Some critters were smart, but the groundhog was better.
Did you know Punxs’y Phil’s been here since 1886 -
Not just in winter but also at the summer picnics.
Only a few men knew the groundhog could tell about spring,
But, more and more people wanted to be part of the thing.
So little by little, Phil’s fame grew and grew
And so did the crowds-up to 30,000 it’s true!
Bill Murray made a movie they call “Groundhog Day!”
Now the world wants to know where Punxs’y Phil stays.
On February 2nd, the Inner Circle wears tall hats and black suits
They let Phil tell the weather, and then everyone salutes!
Phil returns to his cozy apartment in the groundhog zoo;
If you stop at the window, he just might wave back at you!
In the weather capital of the world, the groundhog’s supreme.
Come visit him in Punxsutawney and find out what we mean!
Download Rhyme Time
Groundhog Day Number Plot (Easy)
Groundhog Number Plot (Medium)
Paw Number Plot (Easy)
Groundhog Cookie Recipe
2 cups sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup soft butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg yolk
1 egg, slightly beaten
Currants or raisins
Sift together first seven ingredients. Set aside. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Blend in molasses and yolk. Stir in flour mixture and mix well. Form into a ball.
Wrap in plastic wrap. Chill overnight, several nights, or freeze.
Place small amounts of dough on a sheet of plastic wrap, and cover with plastic wrap. Roll 1/8 inch thick. Cut out cookies with lightly floured cutter.
Place cookies on greased baking sheet. Brush with slightly beaten egg. Decorate with currants or raisin eyes. Repeat until all dough is used.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in a preheated 350-degree oven. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet. Makes 72 or more medium-sized groundhogs.
Download the recipe.
Groundhog Day Powerpoint: Why is groundhog day a special day?
By Dr. Andrea K. McClainDownload the Groundhog Day Powerpoint.
Suggested Reading List
Books About Groundhogs & Groundhog Day
Mr. Groundhog Wants the Day Off, by Pat Stemper Vojta, 2010
Substitute Groundhog by Pat Miller, 2010
Groundhog Day by Lynn Peppas, 2010
Groundhog Weather School by Joan Holub, 2009
Gracie’s Groundhog Day Surprise, by Kristi Butler, 2009
Ten Grouchy Groundhogs by Kathryn Heling and
Deborah Hembrook, 2009
Double Trouble Groundhog Day by Bethany Roberts, 2008
Groundhog Day by Gail Gibbons, 2007
Groundhog Willie’s Shadow by Barbara Bienbaum, 2006
Punxsutawney Phyllis by Susanna LeonardHill, 2006
Groundhog Gets A Say by Pamela Curtis Swallow, 2005
Groundhog Day by Margaret McNamara, 2005
The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun by Wendie Old, 2004
Groundhog Phil’s Message by Barbara Bienbaum, 2004
Groundhog Day by Marc Tayler Nobleman, 2004
Go To Sleep Groundhog by Judy Cox, 2004
Groundhog Day by Michelle Aki Becker, 2003
How Groundhog’s Garden Grew by Lynne Cherry, 2003
Groundhog Day by Betsy Lewin, 2000
Geoffrey Groundhog Predicts the Weather by Bruce Koscielniak, 1998
Gretchen Groundhog, It’s Your Day! By Abby Levine, 1998
Groundhog Day by Janie Soaht Gill, 1997
Golly, It’s Groundhog Day by Jill Hierstein-Morris, 1997
It’s Groundhog Day by Steven Kroll, 1987
Groundhog’s Day at the Doctor by Judy Delton, 1981
Download the reading list.
Groundhog Wonderland Song
(to the tune of "Winter Wonderland")
From: Holiday Ideas for Youth Groups, Wayne Rice & Mike Yaconelli, Youth Specialties, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Groundhogs hoot, are you listening?
'Neath the sun, all is glist'ning
A real warm light we're happy tonight
Waitin' in a Groundhog wonderland.
In the field, we're watching for the Groundhog.
We've been waiting for this day all year.
Do you think that he will see his shadow?
And will we know if springtime's almost here?
Later on, while we're eating
What we got on Groundhog Day
We'll share all our sacks
Of good Groundhog snacks
Waitin' in a Groundhog wonderland.
I'm Dreaming of the Great Groundhog Song
(to the tune of "White Christmas")
From: Holiday Ideas for Youth Groups, Wayne Rice & Mike Yaconelli, Youth Specialties, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan
I'm dreaming of the Great Groundhog
Just like I do this time each year
When he brings nice weather
And brings us together
To wait for him to appear.
I'm dreaming of the Great Groundhog
With every groundhog card I write.
May your Groundhog's Day be bright
When the Great Groundhog visits you tonight.
Song List
For music/poetry that was submitted during the Merchandise Fair go to:
Marilyn Ferguson: www.marilynspoetry.com
Lana Dalton: lanapdalton@mac.com
“Up At the Knob”
(to the tune of "Up On The Housetop)
Words by: Kathy Bish
Version 1: If Phil does not see his shadow
Up at the Knob the groundhogs pause
Sitting up and showing claws.
Is there a shadow her today?
If not spring is on the way.
Cheer, Cheer, Cheer
Spring is here!
Cheer, Cheer, Cheer
Spring is here!
Up at the Knob it is so clear
We're waiting for Springtime to appear!
Version 2: If Phil sees his shadow
Up at the Knob the groundhog's pause
Sitting up and showing claws.
"I see my shadow." says old Phil
Six more weeks of winter chill.
Boo, hoo, hoo,
We're so blue!
Boo, hoo, hoo,
We're so blue!
Up at the Knob when shadows come
Six more weeks till we have sun!
“Gobbler's Knob”
Tune: Jingle Bells
Words by Kathy Bish
Gobbler's Knob, Gobbler's Knob, Home of Punxsy Phil.If his shadow he does see we'll have more winter still.
Gobbler's Knob, Gobbler's Knob, Home of Punxsy Phil.
If no shadow does appear, we'll cheer, oh yes we will!
“Old Phil, The Punxsy Groundhog”
(Tune: Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer [words by Kathy Bish])
Old Phil, the Punxsy Groundhog,
has a very special job;
He watches for his shadow,
every year on Gobbler's Knob.
Thousands of screaming people,
Make the trek this time each year.
Up to the Knob they travel,
waiting for Phil to appear.
If his shadow he does see, winter's here to stay.
If no shadow does appear,
that means spring will soon be here.
Then all the screaming people,
go upon their merry way,
Giving Phil peace and quiet,
'till next year on Groundhog Day!
