Seeking His Shadow: It's Groundhog Day!

Tomorrow we will celebrate Groundhog Day at the Whales, Tales and Sails program at the New Bedford Whaling Historic Park. Below you will find some of the fun songs and fingerplays. I found them on many sites throughout the Internet, without attribution. Feel free to use them in your work.

I couldn’t find a groundhog flannel board so I decided to make my own. This is the result of my very first flannel board attempt.

Not too shabby, although now, I have renewed appreciation for everyone who makes them. I used one of the groundhogs from this template to make my own. http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/m-fivelittlegroundhogs.htm 

BEGINNERS TIPS FOR MAKING FLANNEL BOARDS

Regular scissors weren’t cutting the felt very well so I did some research on the best type of scissors to use. I came across A picture of a pair for sale on a site England but of course I didn’t have the time to order them. Lo and behold, the other day I walked into Job Lot and there they were, for a mere $5.00. They work like a charm and I am going to go back to by a few more pairs. I think they are so pretty!

I also found that the felt had a tendency to slip. I tried anchoring with paper clips, no luck.  Then I read an idea on line about anchoring it to sandpaper. I cut out the template with sandpaper, placed the felt on top of it, flipped it over so I could see the template and voila! Easy, breezy!

FINGERPLAY

Five Little Groundhogs

The first little groundhog digs a home in the fall,
And curls up all winter rolled up like a ball.
The second little groundhog comes out of his lair,
On February second to get some fresh air.
The third little groundhog looks up at the sun,
He then sees his shadow and goes on the run.
The fourth little groundhog at his dark shadow peeks,
He goes back to his burrow for six more weeks.
The fifth little groundhog hopes that skies will be gray,
So that he will know that spring is on its way.
 

The Little Groundhog  (sung to "Pop goes the Weasel.")
The children will all curl up on the floor and "snore" and "pop" as the song indicates.

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 short and brown.
All winter long I sleep underground.
On February second I peek out then,
If I see my shadow, I go in my hole again.

I’m a little groundhog short and brown.
All winter long I sleep underground.
If I see no shadow on that February Day,
Winter’s over and I shout hooray!

Can You Play? (Tune: 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!

Nine Little Groundhogs (Tune: 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.
Sing with loud voices, with "inside voices", with whisper voices, & then with "lip" voices (lips move but no sound comes out)

And if your looking for some stories, crafts and curriculum, head over to this blog post I wrote in 2011.
Me and My Shadow
http://karenchace.blogspot.com/2011/01/me-and-my-shadow-its-groundhog-day.html

Karen Chace 2013 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.