my shadow

Monday was Groundhog Day. My favorite activity to do is to make a groundhog puppet and go outside to find a shadow. The kids love it. It really helps them understand the concept of shadows.

After making a paperbag puppet we went outside and
I let them try to find their groundhog's shaddow. They were all running around with puppets. It was sunny and COLD!

After a few minutes we lined up with the sun in our faces, and no shadow. Then we turned to the side, and eventually with the sun on our backs, which created the groundhog shadow. We then talked about how shadows are made, and why the groundhog does not always see his shadow. You know the real Groundhog PHIL.

Today we were wrapping up our Winter Animal unit by making a little booklet called Chilly Changes. They had to color, and match animals with their winter HABITAT. There were birds, bears, rabbits and yes a groundhog. When we got to that page one of my boys said "My groundhog went outside at home and saw his shadow" It, made me feel so good that they actually played with their puppet at home, and connected the learning from one activity to the next. That is what it is all about.

Happy Groundhogs!!!!!