Here it is, just in the nick of time to see if the Groundhog will see his shadow or not! Grab this quick and easy activity, along with posters to cover the main parts of Groundhog Day! I also share links to other ideas below.
These groundhog activities and posters can be a great addition to any elementary classroom unit out there…well, probably all grades, as long as the posters aren’t too cutesy!
Easiest Way to Use It:
Just print the signs you want (you probably will NOT want to use all of them) and put them up somewhere in your class. I like to put one on my classroom door so they see it often, then have the others posted elsewhere in the room next to the sign-up sheet.
A few days before, put up the prediction data charts. Discuss what the holiday is, or maybe read a book or watch a video. Let kids discuss the past findings. Put up the prediction sign on Jan. 31 or Feb. 1. Kids will mark their prediction on the chart.
Then, on the morning of Feb. 2, show your class a news video from that morning showing whether the groundhog saw his shadow or not! Then you can move on with your curriculum.
Included are explanatory posters, posters with whether he has seen his shadow or not for over the last 10 years (this will be updated as time marches on). See below for more pics. Click here to shop for it.
What’s included:
- Three versions that briefly explain what happens on Groundhog Day. Some of the differences are subtle but can be used to differentiate with different groups of students.
- Three signs with past outcomes (telling if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow or not)
- Two sign up sheets for students to decide what their predictions will be. (Each one has a page 2 in class you have a large class or teacher multiple classes in upper grades).
Extra ideas (but these might include some extra prep on your part):
Have students use Punxsutawney Phil’s predictions from the data charts I provided to make a line plot, graph, pie chart, etc. My charts only go back to 2000. So they can also look up the official predictions online for further back in history.
Here is one site that lists whether he saw his shadow or not that goes all the way back to 1887: http://www.stormfax.com/ghogday.htm
In addition, maybe they could research if Phil’s predictions came true.
There are lots of ideas, lessons, and crafts online, but here are a few ideas I thought up or just found on TeachersPayTeachers. Almost all are free!
Writing:
Give your opinion on whether a different animal (which one) could do a better job than the groundhog. Give reasons why.
Social Science:
Discuss the history of the holiday and why it started in the state of Pennsylvania. Is the holiday silly or not? Why? Discuss what superstition is.
Music:
Song about Punxsutawney Phil: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Punxsutawney-Phil-MP3-song-17459 FREE
Science:
Learn more about groundhogs:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Groundhog-Day-Science-Packet-1074932 PAID
Reading:
Groundhog Riddles:
Math:
Count the Tallies Math Center for Groundhog’s Day FREE
Art/Crafts:
Just go search Groundhog on Pinterest or Google images, and you’ll find lots of fun ideas, depending on the age you are working with.
This sounds like such a fun and memorable activity for Groundhog Day! I'm sure kids will absolutely love it!
The groundhogs in the posters are so cute! I'm always surprised at how many kids don't know anything about Groundhog Day. Thanks for providing the links to additional activities- so great!
I agree, I do think sometimes Groundhog's Day gets looked over since there are so many holidays in February. But it can be a fun day that ties into the curriculum if desired.