Groundhog Day Activities for First Grade and Beyond

Do you know that the legend of the groundhog comes from an old weather folklore tradition? Most probably you do: If you are from the US or Canada you know that legend. For me, here in Germany, I had heard about "Groundhog Day" but everything else was pretty new!
To make things even more strange the legend was brought to North America by German settlers but here it is mostly unknown! For anyone who also has never heard about Groundhog Day here is the legend in short:
On February 2nd, the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerges from its burrow to predict the weather. Each year, Phil emerges from his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob, observed by members of the Inner Circle, a group of caretakers dressed in formal attire. If Phil sees his shadow, it indicates six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, spring is predicted to come early.

The legend says Phil’s weather predictions are always accurate, and he is the same groundhog that has been making predictions since 1887, thanks to a magical "elixir of life" given to him every summer to extend his lifespan.

While it’s a lighthearted tradition and not scientifically accurate, Punxsutawney Phil has become an iconic symbol of Groundhog Day, drawing thousands of visitors and media attention each year. The most famous celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with the groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil. However, many communities host their own Groundhog Day events.

That's why I thought I will collect a few ideas about how to teach Groundhog Day from Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Educational Themes for Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day offers an opportunity to teach various topics in a fun, seasonal way. Here are some ideas:

1. Weather and Seasons

• What to Teach:
  • The science of weather predictions.
  • The difference between seasons and how they change.
  • Shadows and how they form. 
• Activity Ideas:
  • Create weather charts and track daily weather.
  • Discuss the concept of hibernation and animals' adaptations to winter.
  • Shadow experiments: Use flashlights and objects to explore how shadows are created.

2. Groundhog Facts and Habitats

• What to Teach:
  • Groundhogs as animals: their habitat, diet, and behavior.
  • The role of groundhogs in the ecosystem.
• Activity Ideas:
  • Create a fact sheet or booklet about groundhogs.
  • Compare groundhogs to other animals that hibernate.
  • Build a diorama of a groundhog’s burrow.

3. Traditions and History

• What to Teach:
  • The history and origins of Groundhog Day.
  • The cultural significance of weather folklore.
• Activity Ideas:
  • Read or write stories about Punxsutawney Phil and other famous groundhogs.
  • Discuss weather-related sayings or traditions from other cultures.
  • Make a timeline of how Groundhog Day became a modern tradition.

4. Math Activities

• What to Teach:
  • Counting and graphing activities tied to weather predictions.
  • Measurement and estimation using “groundhog” themes.
• Activity Ideas:
  • Create a bar graph to predict how many students think the groundhog will see its shadow.
  • Solve math word problems related to groundhogs and burrows.
  • Use themed worksheets for addition, subtraction, or multiplication.

5. Language Arts and Writing

• What to Teach:
  • Reading comprehension with Groundhog Day-themed books.
  • Creative writing prompts about weather predictions or being a groundhog for a day.
• Activity Ideas:
  • Read books like "Groundhog Weather School" by Joan Holub or "Substitute Groundhog" by Pat Miller.
  • Write a diary entry from the perspective of a groundhog.
  • Create an acrostic poem using the word “GROUNDHOG.”

6. Arts and Crafts

• What to Teach:
  • Fine motor skills and creativity through crafting.
• Activity Ideas:
  • Make a paper groundhog puppet that pops out of a paper cup “burrow.”
  • Create Groundhog Day hats or masks.
  • Design shadow-themed art using silhouettes.

7. STEM Activities

• What to Teach:
  • The science of light and shadow.
  • Engineering concepts through burrow-building activities.
• Activity Ideas:
  • Build a groundhog burrow using recycled materials.
  • Use flashlights and models to study how the position of the sun affects shadow length.
  • Create a simple sundial to observe shadows throughout the day.

Groundhog Day can be both educational and fun, offering students a chance to explore topics like weather, animal science, folklore, and even math and art through engaging, hands-on activities. 

Fun Graphic Sets for Groundhog Day!

Wanna know what to do with these graphic sets? Join me in the Safari Lounge Designer Classes and we will explore them together!

Adapt Teaching Ideas to different Grades

You can already see that I've listed a lot of opportunities and those can be easily adapted so that you cannot "just" use them for First Grade and beyond but also for Pre-K or Kindergarten. It's just about making things easier then. Beside that add really fun graphics with Phil and all the elements around "him". Because actually that is what makes learning fun.
The most graphics you purchase on TpT come in "teacher friendly" versions. For me that means that they come in color and black and white.
I usually use the b/w version for the copies for the kids to save ink while I put the colourful versions on the whiteboard.
And, if there is a bit time left and the kids are already done with their task they can colour the lovely graphics on their own!

Now we just need to convert these ideas into learning resources! If you don't know how to do that consider to join me in the Safari Lounge Designer Classes. I show you not only how to create learning resources but also all the other things you need as a teacherpreneur - from cover images to your TOUs and Powerpoint Templates!