The groundhog of North America is also known as the woodchuck, a marmot, and even the whistle-pig. It is related to squirrels although it can weigh 4 ½-to-14 pounds and be sixteen-to-thirty two inches long. Groundhogs are a grizzled brown with fur that is both reddish and blackish. Because they have legs that are short for its body, the animal waddles or sways from side-to-side as it moves.
According to Enature, the name woodchuck comes from a Cree Indian word, wuchak, which referred to several animals of similar size. The name woodchuck has nothing to do with the animal living in the woods, although it can; it is also found in pastures, meadows, and old fields.
Preschool Lesson Activities about Hibernation
Hibernation is very different from sleeping. These demonstrations will show children the conditions associated with hibernation. First, fill one bottle with what that is roughly 97 degrees Fahrenheit and the other with water that is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Pass the two bottles around to the children.
The warmer bottle represents the normal body temperature of a woodchuck during its active seasons in summer and early fall. The colder bottle is close to the temperature of the groundhog’s body during hibernation.
Next, clap hands quickly to one hundred within one minute (or, fifty times in thirty seconds) – this is the heart rate of a woodchuck during normal activity. Explain to the children that you will next show them how slow the animal’s heart rate drops during hibernation – four times in a minute. Allow some dramatics while waiting the long seconds between heart beats.
Hibernation Games
The slowed body functions of the groundhog allow it to maintain a heavy layer of fat, which provides warmth and an energy source for the animal during hibernation. During hibernation, the woodchuck stays underground.
Spread out a blanket or sheet on the ground. Tell the children that most groundhogs hibernate from October to April. You will call out the months and when the children hear “October” they will crawl under the blanket and when you say “April” they can crawl out and move around.
Start out by saying, “May, during this month baby woodchucks are born. June, you are eating lots of grass and getting fat. July, you are eating and eating. August, you eat lots of grass and clover and continue to get fatter and fatter. September, the leaves are changing color and the sun is setting earlier, you grab mouthfuls of still-green grass."
October! Hibernate. November: you are completely still. December, you are hibernating and don’t move at all. January. February. March. You are still deep asleep and you don’t even hear the patter of rain on the ground over your head. April! Wake up and look for grass and green plants that you can eat.
Teachers may want to go through the year once again.
Preschool Activities
If alarmed, a groundhog gives a loud whistle followed by a softer one. It runs to its burrow from which it peeks out. Play a game similar to “Mr. Bear Are You Awake?” in which It is a red fox and the children are woodchucks. The children can call out, “Do you see a fox?” to which the fox answers “yes” or “no.” If the answer is “no” the woodchucks move closer. If the fox says, “yes” then the woodchucks can make a loud sound and run to their burrow (safe base).
These active preschool games and activities teach children about some of the behaviors associated with groundhogs while introducing the conditions of true hibernation. Add in a picture book, Shadow Activities for Kids, and a craft to round out a lesson plan for woodchucks.
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