Groundhog's Day

In this Remarkable Idea, students will learn about Groundhog's Day, create their own groundhogs, and eat a Groundhog Day treat.

This activity addresses:

  • Social Skills
  • Fine Motor
  • Functional Skills
  • Alternative methods of access

What you need:

  • BIG or LITTLEmack
  • Jelly Bean switch
  • PowerLink 4
  • Toilet paper roll (1 for each student)
  • Construction paper/cardstock (brown, green, white, black)
  • Black marker
  • Glue
  • Craft sticks/popsicle sticks (1 for each student)
  • Desk lamp with flexible head/Flashlight
  • Electric mixer
  • Instant chocolate pudding
  • Mixing bowl
  • Small plastic cups/bowls
  • Vanilla wafers
  • Sliced almonds (can be omitted for allergies)
  • Brown decorating gel

Preparation:

  1. Use groundhog template page to cut out pieces for groundhogs from brown, white, and black construction paper or print groundhog template page on cardstock and cut out pieces.
  2. Record information about Groundhog Day to a BIG or LITTLEmack.
  3. Cut green construction paper in half so you have two 8.5 x 5.5 pieces (1 for each student). Make 1 inch cuts along one end. The green paper will be wrapped around the toilet paper rolls as grass with the strips sticking up over the top of the tube.

What to do: Groundhog Day Activity

  1. Select a student to tell the class about Groundhog Day.
  2. Pass out the pieces for each student to make their groundhog and assist them in gluing the pieces together. Insert the craft stick between the two body pieces.
  3. Give each student a toilet paper roll and a piece of green construction paper. Assist students as necessary with wrapping the paper around the tube and gluing it on.
  4. Once finished students will be able to hold the craft stick and make their groundhog pop out of the ground (toilet paper roll).
  5. Connect the desk lamp and a Jelly Bean switch to the PowerLink 4. Place the lamp facing towards a wall so students can take turns making their groundhog pop out of the ground to see if their groundhog sees their shadow. Students rotate between activating “the sun” and playing with their groundhogs.

Groundhog Day Treat – Vanilla Wafer Groundhogs in Mud

  1. Connect the electric mixer and a Jelly Bean switch to a PowerLink 4.
  2. Follow instructions for the instant pudding, allow students to activate the mixer. (Children should not be allowed near the mixer.)
  3. Pour the pudding into cups.
  4. Give each student a vanilla wafer and two sliced almonds.
  5. Use the decorating gel to draw a face on the vanilla wafer groundhog.
  6. Use the decorating gel as an adhesive to attach the ears (almond slices).
  7. Place your groundhog in the “mud” and enjoy.

Script:

“February 2nd is Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day is the day where the groundhog is supposed to come out of hibernation and poke his head out of the ground. If the groundhog sees his shadow he will go back into his burrow and we will have six more weeks of winter. If the groundhog does not see his shadow that means spring is on its way. The most famous groundhog is Punxsutawney Phil from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Today we will make our own groundhogs and we can see if they see their shadow or not.”

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