Groundhog Day has been celebrated since 1886. In both Canada and the United States, Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2. The holiday is based on a folk tale surrounding the animal, a ground hog, though other countries do use other animals to predict the weather.
According to the story, if a ground hog sees its shadow on Feb 2nd, the winter season will continue for six more weeks. However, if he or she doesn't see its shadow then winter weather will be over soon. The largest and perhaps most notable Groundhog Day celebration occurs in
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Some years crowds reach more than forty thousand. However, while Punxsutawney Phil may be the most notable groundhog, he's certainly not the only weather predicting mammal. There's also, Sutton Sammy, French Creek Freddie, Woodstock Willie, Woody the Woodchuck, chuckles, Susquehanna Sherman and Dover Doug just to name a few.
Celebrating Groundhog Day in Your Classroom
Groundhog Day can be an excellent day to study a number of areas. For example, you could take a look at weather patterns and why a groundhog might see their shadow. You could also study traditions and folklore. Or take a math angle and study predictability and odds. Teacher Planet offers lesson plans, worksheets, activities and fun Groundhog Day printables. Lots of fun and lots of learning! Check out the Groundhog Day teaching resources today.
