How do you explain Groundhog Day to kindergarteners?

How do you explain Groundhog Day to kindergarteners?

Groundhog Day is the day when people look to the groundhog to predict the weather for the next six weeks. Folklore says that if the sun is shining when the ground hog comes out of his burrow, then the groundhog will go back into its burrow and we will have winter for six more weeks.

What is the background of Groundhog Day?

Groundhog Day has its roots in the ancient Christian tradition of Candlemas, when clergy would bless and distribute candles needed for winter. The candles represented how long and cold the winter would be. Germans expanded on this concept by selecting an animal—the hedgehog—as a means of predicting weather.

What is Groundhog Day for preschoolers?

There is a legend about the groundhog. It states that they come out of their homes on February 2nd to see if winter is over. If they see their shadow, it scares them and they go back to their homes and sleep for another 6 weeks. If they don’t see their shadow, they stay above ground and winter is almost over!

What is Groundhog Day lesson?

1. Without consequences, nothing matters. It’s maybe the most profound lesson that Groundhog Day offers, and it’s a good one to reflect on, even if it’s one of the most basic principles of being a well-adjusted human.

How do you teach Groundhog Day to preschoolers?

Lead a discussion and ask children if a groundhog really can predict the weather. Make any of these groundhog weather prediction activities. On February 2, Groundhog Day, let children bring a stuffed toy to school. Explain to children that the name of the famous weather predicting groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil.

Was Groundhog Day an original idea?

Originating in a philosophical text, the original idea for Groundhog Day came to screenwriter Danny Rubin and director Harold Ramis from the book The Gay Science, an iconic work from German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche where the writer describes a man living the same day over and over.

How did the groundhog tradition start?

Many of Pennsylvania’s early settlers were German, and they brought this tradition with them, switching the hedgehog for the groundhog, which could be more easily found in their new home, according to the Punxsutawney site. In 1886, the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper printed the first news of a Groundhog Day observance.

How is Groundhog Day Celebrated at work?

How to Celebrate Groundhog Day at Your Senior Facility

1. Host a Punxsutawney Phil Breakfast.
2. Make Sock Puppets With the Grandkids.
3. Organize a Peanut Party.
4. Make Your Own Snow.
5. Teach a Shadow Puppet Exercise.
6. Host a Groundhog Day Movie Marathon.

Where do groundhogs live?

Habitat: Groundhogs are most commonly found along forest edges, meadows, open fields, roads and streams. They sometimes also live in dense forests. Although groundhogs dig deep and extensive burrow systems, they are also good swimmers and can climb tall shrubs and trees.

How do you observe Groundhog Day?

Visit Punxsutawney for the annual Groundhog Day Celebration. People gather upon Gobbler’s Knob at the crack of dawn to watch for Punxsutawney Phil to come out of his burrow. If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If not, spring is on the way!