When you know better, you do better!
That’s exactly what this post is all about! I revamped the Groundhog Products I had at TeachersPayTeachers. Four have become two!!! I enclosed more graphics and a more detailed explanation of how to used the items. The poem and proofreading activities are based on the event itself and not a particular book.
I always found it quite challenging trying to explain to kiddos that great weather on February 2nd meant not so great weather would continue. But what’s not to love about Punxsutawney Phil!
I love this poem. I have no idea who the author is, so if you know, please advise. I would like to give them credit. With the poem, we could focus on what makes shadows and why he played or ran away.
Sunny bright skies bring shadows and frightens him back into his burrow– Winter will last longer. Cloudy rainy skies mean no shadows to frighten the Groundhog, so off to play he will go—Early Spring.
Me 🙂 after finding this poem, Yeah!!!
The Product
Groundhog Day!
Who comes up from his hole in the ground?
If there’s no shadow, he runs to play.
If he sees his shadow, he runs away.
This all happens on Groundhog Day!
Rebuild the Poem
33 Vocabulary Cards: Use the vocabulary cards to introduce the poem. Place cards in a pocket chart or in view of the students, read through, and discuss what the poem could be about. Vocabulary cards are provided in smaller font size so that kiddos can build the poem themselves or with partners.
Writing the Poem
Determine which writing paper fits your kiddos’ needs.
7 Paper Choice Combinations
**Tracing– key vocabulary to the poem or entire poem
**Font Sizes– font size 36 pt.
**Writing Lines– “Headline/midline/baseline” writing lines, Single writing lines, or blank.
Strip/ Label for Writing Journals instructions and poem to be cut out and glued onto a blank sheet or in a Writing Journal/Notebook for completion.
Be prepared to hear this poem in your sleep after you teach it to your kiddos. I do every year. 😉
All activities offer a choice of color or blackline clip art.
Proofreading
Can you find the mistakes and correct them?
Demonstrate their knowledge of…
Capitalization
beginning of a sentence, months, and names
Punctuation
end usage of “.” or “?” and commas in the date
Pronouns
his not her
Subject / Verb Agreement
are/is need/needs predicts/predict
Compound Words
ground hog/ groundhog
Correct year
Three Versions for completion. Two styles of writing paper with lines and font size 28 pt. on all choices. One with “headline-mid-line-baseline writing lines and the other with single lines. The third option is the Proofreading Strip which is to be cut out and glued onto a blank sheet or in a Writing Journal/Notebook for completion.
Reflection
After completion of the Proofreading Activity, reflect with the kiddos using these questions:
1. How many of the 17 mistakes, did you find?
2. Can you explain why the mistakes needed correction?
3. Did you know immediately how to correct it?
The Poem and Proofreading Strips
Awards
Who doesn’t love an award, an acknowledgement of a job well done??? Anyone you know??? So treat your Super Groundhog Proofreaders!!
Well, that’s it. Four products have become two. I’m pretty proud of the way they’ve turned out. I hope you find the poem and proofreading useful with your kiddos!
Until next time,
