GROUNDHOG DAY Ancient Superstitions There's an ancient expression, "If Candlemas be bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year." Many of the ancient cultures believed that certain weather conditions at one time of the year could affect weather conditions at another. They also believed that certain animals had magical abilities. The ancient Egyptians, for example, believed that cats could protect their homes. The ancient Celts believed that groundhogs could predict the weather. There is no truth in this. It's just an old myth. But it's a delightful old myth.   In modern times, people pulled out the old legend from the ancient Celts and created Groundhog Day! A school in Punxsutawney (USA) has created a wonderful site, called Hogtivities: A complete Groundhog Day Celebration which includes the history of Groundhog Day, and instructions for some unique and fun games you can play at your school. Here is a list of free online activities for kids to make Groundhog Day an occasion to remember:     For Kids Groundhog Day Hogtivities Our Beloved Groundhog History of Groundhog Day  How much wood could a woodchuck chuck?  Measuring Shadows Groundhog Snowball Game  For Teachers  Free Groundhog Day Presentations in PowerPoint format Groundhog Day Poems (CanTeach) Groundhog Poem and Picture to Color (reproducible) Groundhog Day Songs (set to familiar tunes) Great Groundhogs (one day unit for K-2) Read Write Think Groundhog Day Tongue Twisters - Gus the Groundhog gathered goodies from Gayle's garden Groundhog Day (Teaching Heart) Day of the Shadow! (worksheets, lesson ideas) Stormfax Almanac Come to the Groundhog Day Party (Ed World) Make a Groundhog Day Hat Groundhog Coloring Book Project Groundhog February Groundhog Weather Watch      All Rights Reserved Counter start date January 2006     Have a great year!