Early or Late Spring?
Thousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent, people in the part of Europe where Germany is today, believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops.
This tradition was brought over to North America, predominantly to Pennsylvania in the United States, where it was the groundhog, not the badger, which made these “predictions”.
According to folklore, if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2 it will return to its burrow, indicating that there will be six more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow, then spring is on the way.
The Groundhog Day concept first became popular in Canada in 1956 when Wiarton Willie became a household name for his early February weather predictions. Wiarton’s Groundhog Day festival grew as Willie’s fame increased. It became one of the largest winter festivals in Bruce County, Canada.
There are also other groundhogs in different parts of Canada. For example, Shubenacadie Sam is reportedly the first groundhog in the country to stick its head out on Groundhog Day. Other groundhogs include: Gary the Groundhog in Ontario, Brandon Bob in Manitoba and Balzac Billy in Alberta.
Kennedy, Ava and I will be watching what Van Island Violet does on Vancouver Island and we’re all hoping she sees her shadow and winter stays! We are hoping for some snow this year!
Our class voted overwhelmingly, 18 to 4, that she would see her shadow and winter would stay. Can’t wait to see!
Posted in Community Events
Thank you to all the students who created questions to our Think Math answer this week:
The answer is 15 snowmen playing in a snowstorm. 
20 snowmen playing. 4 went on vacation. 1 melted. How many left? ~ Alisa
20 snowmen playing in the snow. 5 got cold. How many left? ~ Bella
20 snowmen. 5 ran away to eat pizza. How many left? ~ Gwenda
15 snowmen playing in a snowstorm. 1 ran away to drink coffee then 1 came back. How many left? ~ John
20 snowmen were playing in the snow. 5 went home to eat hot dogs. How many left? ~ Eva
30 snowmen playing in the sun. 15 melted and then it started to snow. How many left? ~ Hunter
17 snowmen playing in a snowstorm. 2 ran away to read a book. How many left? ~ Melvin
20 snowmen playing in a super snowstorm. 10 of them are inside a house drinking a hot chocolate and watching TV. How many snowmen are playing in a super snowstorm? ~ Bosco
30 snowmen playing in the snow. 15 quit. How many left? ~ George
Here’s this week’s answer! Good Luck Grade 3s! Remember there are as many different correct answers as there are students in our class! I can’t wait to share the answers next Monday!
Posted in THINK MATH
Click on the photo to learn more about our friend, Melvin!Posted in Star of the Week
Thank you to all the students who created questions to our Think Math answer this week:
The answer is 22 snowflakes on children’s tongues. 
198 kids had snowflakes on their tongues. 176 ate them. How many are left having snowflakes on their tongues? ~ Jordan
22 kids outside putting their tongues out. All caught snowflakes. How many snowflakes on kids’ tongues? ~ Alisa
67 snowflakes on children’s tongues. 45 went to Mississippi. How many are left? ~ Kenza
32 snowflakes. 10 melted. How many left? ~ Devon
Snowflakes falling. 11 kids catching snowflakes. Each kids caught 2 snowflakes. How many snowflakes on their tongues? ~ Eva
100 snowflakes. 11 of them went to Mexico. 67 landed on the ground. How many snowflakes on children’s tongues? ~ Gwenda
Here’s next week’s answer! Good Luck Grade 3s! Remember there are as many different correct answers as there are students in our class! I can’t wait to share the answers next Monday!
Posted in THINK MATH
ADMISSION: $2 or 1 non-perishable Food Bank donation/person.
Thurs., Jan. 29th, 2026
Doors open at 5:30pm
Movie starts at 6:00pm
Nelson School Gym
~ FOR SALE: hotdogs, popcorn, drinks
~ ENTER GYM FROM PLAYGROUND
~ ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED
Posted in Community Events, School Events
Each week I will posting the spelling words of the week in the column to the left.
I will start posting spelling games that your child is learning in class beginning next week.
If you click on the SPELLING tab above, there are dozens of different ways to help make practicing spelling words fun!
Posted in Spelling
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