I don’t know why, but I just think Groundhog Day is fun.  I don’t spend a lot of teaching time on it, but I do like to read my class a story or two and talk about shadows and winter.  Even that is pretty funny, because here in Arizona it will be in the upper 70’s and beautiful this week.  December is our fall, January is more like winter, and February is more like spring. Then it gets HOT!

It just so happens that I am the proud owner of my very own groundhog.  Yep. And he only comes out this time of year. You can’t wake him early, because if you do… he gets pretty cranky!

The past few years he has spent Groundhog’s Day in kindergarten. Two years ago, my daughter’s teacher thought of the idea to put him outside and let the kids see if he can see their shadow. (I was like- why didn’t I think of that?)  He likes to go back each year and see her.  I think he likes her class better than mine!

I’ve had this little guy for a few years.  It is a puppet made by Folkmanis. He is soft and cuddly, and the kids love him.  I will usually read a little Groundhog story and break him out.  These are a few of my favorite go-to books: