ReadWriteThink: February 2, 2009: Today is Groundhog Day.

February 2, 2009

		Groundhog Day is observed each year on February 2. The famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil is pulled from his simulated burrow in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to make the most anticipated weather forecast of the year. The legend says that if the groundhog sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If Punxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow, spring is just around the corner. image © 2009 www.clipart.com

Today is Groundhog Day.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITY

Observe Groundhog Day in your classroom with your own shadow-watching activity.

Begin by bringing in a stuffed animal to stand in as the “groundhog.” Have students select a name—something catchy—such as “Fairview Fred” or “Springfield Sal.” Then plan a Groundhog Day celebration by choosing a location on school grounds and inviting other classes to attend the event.

Model your celebration after the annual event in Punxsutawney by including a variety of activities such as a scavenger hunt, storytelling, and games. Punxsutawney residents always include music in their celebration. Invite your school’s band or chorus to provide live entertainment. At a predetermined time, have your “groundhog” look for his shadow, and then make the official announcement.

Later, have students watch or listen to news reports describing what happens in Punxsutawney on Groundhog Day and compare it with their predictions. Then, watch the calendar to see if your forecast is accurate!

Lesson Plans

Weather: A Journey in Nonfiction
In this lesson for grades K–2, students use nonfiction texts to answer weather questions. They work in groups to create and publish short reports.

Animal Study: From Fiction to Facts
Use this lesson to help young students explore selected fiction and nonfiction literature and use questioning techniques to identify factual information about groundhogs.

I Wonder: Writing Scientific Explanations With Students
This lesson encourages second-grade students to ask questions about a specific topic and choose one question to explore using a variety of resources.

Weather Detectives: Questioning the Fact and Folklore of Weather Sayings
Students explore the validity of weather-related sayings in this lesson for grades 3–5. Students then write about and illustrate the sayings they studied.

Web Links

Groundhog Day
This page from the Stormfax Weather Almanac offers information about the origins of Groundhog Day. There is also a record of past Groundhog Day predictions and information about the Groundhog Day film starring Bill Murray.

Groundhog.org: Teachers’ Corner
Find activities and fun materials to share with your students during your Groundhog Day festivities. Students can even submit Groundhog Day Poetry for inclusion on the site.

Weather Lore
Students can read weather-related folktales and proverbs at this American Folklore website.

Groundhogs at HogHaven
Students can meet real groundhogs from Lums Pond State Park in Delaware at this rich multimedia site. The site includes basic information about groundhogs, as well as audio, video, and images.

Texts

Old, Wendie. 2004. The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun. Albert Whitman & Company.
This colorful book takes a lighthearted look at the facts and fiction of Groundhog Day.

Moutran, Julia Spencer. 1997. Punxsutawney Phil and His Weather Wisdom. Dove Books.
This text and accompanying audio cassette introduce young children to the Groundhog Day legend, as well as to other weather concepts and lore.

Cox, Judy. 2003. Go to Sleep, Groundhog! Holiday House.
Primary students will enjoy this story of a sleepless Groundhog. Groundhog awakens periodically to observe winter holidays through which he normally sleeps!

Levine, Abby. 2002. Gretchen Groundhog, It’s Your Day! Albert Whitman & Company.
This picture book tells the tale of Gretchen Groundhog. Gretchen must overcome her shyness in order to carry on her family tradition.