Groundhog Day Is Coming!

Groundhog Day is Tuesday, February 2nd. It is celebrated in the USA and Canada. It’s a time when people look to a groundhog to find out whether or not we will be having six more weeks of winter. The idea dates back hundreds of years when people looked to hibernating animals such as badgers, hedgehogs and bears to see when they might wake up from their winter sleep.  According to the tradition, if the animals saw its shadow, winter would last several more weeks.  If it didn’t see it’s shadow, spring would be soon arriving.

When Europeans, especially the Germans, came to the United States, they brought the tradition. The groundhog became the animals of choice as it hibernated and looked something like the European hedgehog. Groundhog Day started back in the 1880s with the first official celebration on February 2, 1887. The most famous groundhog weather forecaster is Punxsutawney Phil, of Punxsutawney, PA. However, there are a number of other groundhog "weather forecasters" in both the United States and Canada. On February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil , who lives at  the  Punxsutawney Library, is taken to Gobbler Knob and placed in a heated burrow underneath an artificial tree stump on the stage near where hundreds have gathered. At 7:25,  Punxsutawney Phil comes out to make his weather prediction. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter.  If he doesn’t see his shadow, spring is on its way!

*Did you know that the groundhog, also called woodchuck, is a  relatives of the squirrel? Learn some additional Fun facts about groundhogs at this link.

*Read more about the groundhog. Draw/color a picture and write 5 facts learned about the groundhog (in complete sentences). 

*Check out my latest Reader's Theater Script, A Visit with a Groundhog! Great for a Groundhog Day Activity. 

Part of my Ms. Bie Ografee Talk Show series of Reader' Theater Scripts, her guest is Sarsaparilla, the groundhog! Kids will learn about the groundhog and a bit of history about Groundhog Day. There is a Did You Know? section, 10 comprehension questions, a teacher page with extension activities and links and the key.
 

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-Gail