Prepare for Spring With Groundhog Day Activities

Groundhog Day is more than just a quirky February tradition. It’s a chance to integrate a seasonal topic across your ELA, science, and social studies lessons! Use engaging, timely activities this February 2 to help students connect Groundhog Day activities to core subjects while teaching about cultural traditions, weather science, and the lore of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

Key takeaways:

• Groundhog Day activities provide cross-curricular learning opportunities.
• Students can explore science, history, and creative writing through a holiday lens.
• Newsela’s resources ensure you’re sharing age-appropriate, standards-aligned content while covering high-interest holidays and topics.

Jump to:

• How can students explore Groundhog Day through creative writing ELA activities?
• What’s the history behind Groundhog Day, and how can I cover it in my social studies classes?
• Can we explore if groundhogs can really predict the weather in science class?

[How can students explore Groundhog Day through creative writing ELA activities?](id-ela)

Creative writing lessons give students the chance to learn more about Punsxutawney Phil while practicing their descriptive storytelling. Try this Newsela ELA activity:

• Assign an article about Phil and other weather-predicting animals.
• Share a how-to video about descriptive writing techniques.
• Have students write a short scene from Phil’s perspective, describing what he thinks, feels, sees, or hears during the Groundhog Day festivities.

[What’s the history behind Groundhog Day, and how can I cover it in my social studies classes?](id-ss)

Groundhog Day has a rich cultural history with German roots that led to the famous Pennsylvania celebration. In your social studies lessons, you can explore the origins of the holiday and how traditions evolved. Try these activities:

• Teach students facts about Groundhog Day, including how Germans brought the custom to Pennsylvania.
• For younger students, try the Groundhog Day elementary history lesson with the same great content and more age-appropriate activities.
• Test students' knowledge of what they read with the Groundhog Day Challenge on Formative.

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[Can we explore if groundhogs can really predict the weather in science class?](id-sci)

Groundhog Day predictions are fun, but are they science-backed? Try science lessons that let students explore animal behavior, hibernation, and weather patterns to encourage observation, testing hypotheses, and critical thinking. Try this activity:

• Assign an article about the groundhog’s hibernation period and other animal facts.
• Use a Notice, Wonder, Connect worksheet for students to record their observations as they read.
• Have students write news headlines summarizing what they’ve learned about groundhogs and weather.

How can I teach Groundhog Day science concepts with video?

Newsela STEM with Generation Genius science videos makes it easy to teach the concepts behind Groundhog Day in a fun, engaging way for every grade band. Try these selections from our library:

K-2 Science:

• Four Seasons and Day Length
• Introduction to Weather
• Heating and Cooling
• Sunlight Warms the Earth
• Living Things Change Their Environment

3-5 Science:

• Adaptations and the Environment
• Extreme Weather Solutions
• Light Reflection & Vision
• Weather vs. Climate

6-8 Science:

• Causes of Seasons

Newsela subject products support year-round holiday lessons

Groundhog Day activities are just one example of how Newsela’s subject products help you engage students in core subjects while recognizing timely events. From news articles and primary sources to literature selections and interactive videos, Newsela has resources for every holiday or special occasion throughout the year.

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