A blog about our learning adventures.
On April 24, 2011, we got to show Kiki, our Australian visitor, how we celebrate Easter. Here she is posing with some colored eggs.
We’ve also created a Popplet about how we (and others in the United States) celebrate Easter.
Please visit James’ blog to hear what he has to say about how we celebrate Easter. Maggie has also written a post on her blog as well. They would enjoy getting comments.
Do you have any special Easter traditions?
Photo by: Aaron E. Silvers
About the Tradition
The first Groundhog Day was celebrated by German settlers in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania 125 years ago. The Germans carried on a tradition that began in Roman times which relied on hedgehogs to determine how long the winter season would remain. The settlers decided to use a groundhog instead of a hedgehog.
Weather Prophet Extraordinary
It seems the groundhog they assigned to this special task was not an ordinary groundhog. It is widely believed that he can predict the weather! This famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary, is awakened every year on February 2nd to make his long anticipated prediction. As tradition holds, if “Phil” sees his shadow then we will endure six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow then we will see an early spring.
The Verdict
As you may be aware, we have been getting LOTS of snow here in Massachusetts! We were anxiously awaiting Phil’s prediction and fortunately for us he did NOT see his shadow! (Watch a video of the 2011 event here)
Why do you think the German settlers used a groundhog instead of a hedgehog?
Is February 2nd a special holiday for you?
Can you tell the difference between a hedgehog and a groundhog?
Photo by: Sarah McManiman
Photo by: NapaneeGal
My students have drawn pictures to celebrate Groundhog Day. Click on the thumbnails to hear the students talk about their pictures.
Listen to Maggie
Listen to Delia
Listen to James
All photographs available under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
We put together this VoiceThread to share our Christmas traditions with you. It is a Flash application so it may not be visible to you. We would be happy to Skype with your school if you are interested in learning about our traditions. If you sign up for VoiceThread’s free membership, you will be able leave comments within the application by voice, or typing. We invite you to leave comments about your Christmas traditions as well. Happy Holidays!
