Grow in Grace

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. II Peter 3:18

Did the groundhog see his shadow in your area? Just to make sure we got an accurate assessment, my kids pretended to be groundhogs. We ran outside in our shirt sleeves to look for shadows. At first it seemed we would not see it, but as we started in from the cold, the sun came out and splashed shadows everywhere across the playground. We all gave a shout because here in SC we love the news of more snow. 

This week, I want to share Groundhog Day in Amazing Grace Acres, by Kristi Butler and illustrated by my friend Samantha Bell, published by Guardian Angel Publishing,Inc. Gracie the groundhog has been chosen to predict the weather this year. Her brother, Grover, is jealous. He tries to find a way to trick Gracie and steal the show for himself. Groundhog Day in Amazing Grace Acres not only explains the traditions of Groundhog Day but also addresses issues children as well as adults face each day - jealousy, anger, repentance, and forgiveness. 

Around here, we're looking forward to six more weeks of winter. Think I'll hunker down with the groundhogs a few more weeks. 

Hey Kids:

What's the groundhog's prediction for your area? 

Groundhog Day is half-way through winter. This year spring officially begins March 20. Is the bad weather almost over? 

Here's some ways to have fun checking the accuracy of your area groundhog.

• Mark the calendar with a warm sun or a cold snowflake or a blustery wind.
• Keep a journal, noting the highs and lows for each day.
• Note the day you begin to see flowers push up through the winter mud. Draw them on your calendar or in your journal.
• Make a graph of the cod days and the warm days. Cold could be blue and warm could be yellow.

What can we do with the information? 

• Count the days of cold weather.
• Now count the days of warm weather.
• Which one has the most?
• Add the days together.
• Now you can make a fraction    Cold Days/Total        Warm Days/Total
• Divide the Total into the Cold Days and then divide the Total into the Warm Days. Now you have a percentage. 
• What percent of the days were cold? Warm?

Can the groundhog really predict the weather? What's your conclusion?
I'd love to hear how your charting and journaling is progressing. 

Please check back in six weeks with your complete findings and I'll share mine as well.

Blessings,

Gail