Groundhog Day Shadow Science

Every February 2, Canadians ask a groundhog about the weather. This pack uses that fun tradition to teach real science: what a shadow is, why it changes length through the day, and why a shadow cannot forecast spring. Students read a short text about Wiarton Willie, Shubenacadie Sam and Balzac Billy, sort statements into fact and folklore, then go outside (or use a flashlight) to measure a shadow in centimetres at three times of day.

Everything is set for a Canadian winter. The outdoor investigation works with snow on the ground, and the full indoor flashlight version is ready for cloudy days and very cold days in the Prairies and the North. Teacher notes give the timing, set-up, safety and differentiation.

Curriculum codes on the pages are Ontario Grade 1 (Strands A, C and E); the pack also fits Alberta Grade 1 (seasons) and Grade 2 (light, Earth and Sun) and BC Grade 1.

Inside: teacher notes, a reading, a cut-and-paste sort, the outdoor investigation, the indoor flashlight investigation, a class prediction graph, a shadow-puppet activity, a three-page emergent-reader book, exit tickets and an answer key that describes the expected pattern. Print on any printer in black and white. The free sample is the teacher notes and the reading.