February can be a tough month. The days are still short, the magic of the holidays has ebbed, and spring break feels miles away. If you’re in need of a fun lesson plan to shake things up, look no further than Groundhog Day! With Gale In Context: Elementary, the lesson plan is easy to pull together.
Groundhog Day is one of the country’s more off-beat traditions. Held annually on February 2, millions of Americans tune into live coverage as Punxsutawney Phil, a Pennsylvania groundhog, is coaxed from hibernation. Legend says that if this renowned rodent sees its shadow, he will return to his den out of fright, signaling six more weeks of winter. Conversely, should Phil stay above ground, spring weather is near.
The beloved 1993 film Groundhog Day further entrenched the holiday in popular American culture. In the film, the main character gets stuck in a regrettable time loop. Today, the phrase “Groundhog Day” is now a common way to describe a situation that seems to happen over and over again.
Where did this odd cultural observance come from? Take advantage of your Gale subscription to develop an enlightening yet entertaining lesson plan. Gale In Context: Elementary is a safe and informative online database, designed by experts to engage young learners in developing their research skills, whether for history, science, or quirkier topics like Groundhog Day.
Dig Into the History of Groundhog Day
Using the simple navigation features in Gale In Context: Elementary, your students can quickly scroll through a list of Groundhog Day resources, each composed with beginner readers in mind—from books and magazine articles to an expansive library of images and news stories.
So why do we observe such a peculiar holiday? As a starting point, guide students to Elementary‘s Groundhog Day reference page, complete with a brief history of the holiday, helpful vocabulary words, and interesting groundhog facts.
Many folkloric stories feature animals that can predict the weather (e.g., cows are said to lie down before a rainstorm). While these myths aren’t entirely accurate, there’s some truth that animal behavior can give us clues to impending weather events. Animals are more in tune with nature and can sense small changes in the environment far quicker than humans. For example, many animals behave strangely or evacuate an area before a severe weather event.
The beginning of February marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and spring equinox, marking the turn of the season. During the Middle Ages, when weather patterns truly meant life or death, people diligently watched for signs that winter was ending and that the planting season could begin. One popular indication was the end of an animal’s hibernation period, typically foretold through badgers or bears.
According to folklore studies conducted through the Library of Congress, Germanic-speaking cultures celebrated Dachstag, or Badger Day, with traditions resembling the modern-day Groundhog Day in the U.S. When those families immigrated here from northern Europe, they brought these customs with them. Of course, they altered the mythology to accommodate their new country’s wildlife, and the groundhog became the star of the show.
An 1840 Pennsylvania storekeeper’s diary documents what is likely the first mention of Groundhog Day in the U.S. However, since most Pennsylvania Dutch immigration occurred during the mid-eighteenth century, historians generally agree that Groundhog Day was established in the U.S. much earlier. These immigrant communities even developed social clubs in which to preserve their European heritage and language; these organizations were called “Groundhog Lodges.”
Activity Idea: In the days leading up to February 2, have students vote on whether or not Phil will see his shadow. On the following Monday, see how many students guessed correctly and, later in the season, whether or not Phil’s prediction was correct.
Learn About Groundhogs
So, what exactly is a groundhog? Have your students take a guess—or if they’ve seen one, describe it for their peers. It’s time for some animal research, and Gale In Context: Elementary has a special topic page dedicated to our furry groundhog pals.
Native to North America, groundhogs go by many names, including woodchuck, whistle-pig, land-beaver, and marmot. They can weigh up to 15 pounds and are technically large members of the squirrel family. Their cousins include chipmunks, guinea pigs, and prairie dogs. Groundhogs are expert diggers and make complex underground tunnels called burrows, which keep them warm during the winter. These dens typically have several entrances and even a “bathroom” chamber. Groundhogs can also climb trees and swim.
While your students will discover all kinds of cool groundhog facts, these rodents cannot actually forecast the weather. In fact, with more than a century of predictions under his belt, Punxsutawney Phil has been correct just 40% of the time. However, the groundhog’s hibernation practices do indicate seasonal changes. During the winter, their body temperatures decrease from 99 degrees to a chilly 37 degrees, and their heart rates drop from 80 beats per minute to just five. For a groundhog to wake up and leave its cozy den, the ground and air temperatures need to reach at least 40°F—so, if you see a groundhog aboveground in February, spring might just be on the way.
Activity Idea: Hibernation is fascinating. To survive the long and scarce winter, some animals enter a deep sleep, using so little energy that food is unnecessary. Using Gale In Context: Elementary, have students conduct some basic research on other hibernating animals and share their findings with their classmates. Students have plenty to explore, from bears and bats to bumblebees and snakes.
Gale In Context: Elementary is your go-to resource to shake off those winter blues. Groundhog Day may be a sillier tradition, but it has roots in actual human survival practices and introduces students to some genuinely wild animal facts. Gale houses everything you need for your lesson plan—from amusing poems to facilitate early reading skills, to ready-made activities with built-in discussion questions. Through simplified vocabulary, bright visual aids, and our extensive customization features, learning has never been this fun.
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