Integrate Groundhog Day into Your Curriculum

Groundhog Day is a funny little celebration - not quite a holiday, but still an opportunity to learn something new and have some fun in the midst of a long winter. In view of how many other fun but time-consuming holidays are on the horizon in February, we all know that "the show must go on" - there's so much teaching and learning yet to be done! 

So, here are a few ideas to help you integrate Groundhog Day into your curriculum to save you time and maximize learning!

Celebrated since 1887, Groundhog Day has origins in ancient religious practices (Candlemas Day) as ancient weather lore, in which various other animals like badgers and bears were said to be good predictors of weather. If you're studying or have already studied weather in science, Groundhog Day is a good time to review vocabulary using riddles about weather.

Unscientific as the day may be as a predictor of spring, Groundhog Day is also a great opportunity to talk about shadows and how they change in length over the course of the day. 

A word of advice:  you might not want to do what I did one year long ago.  I worked with my first graders to create charts to observe and record how the length of a shadow changes over the course of several hours. We went outside four times (4!!! Boots, zippers, and all!) during the day, and they each worked with a partner to draw the length of their shadows on the sidewalk, using a different color chalk each time. Even though my class was very small that year, I really didn't think through how long the coats on / coats off routine was going to take each time, or how very excited this activity was going to get them.  I really think that they did learn a lot, they definitely got up and moving, and they got some extra fresh air.  Needless to say, I was exhausted at the end of that day!

Groundhog Day is also an appropriate time for a little side trip into talking about real vs. fantasy.  You can watch a one minute informational video of real groundhogs from The Science Museum of Virginia here to enrich your discussion.

Here's a free activity to add to your literacy centers for Groundhog Day.  Click here to see Grouchy Groundhog, a fun way to practice words that start with dr-, gr-, and tr- blends.

Here are a few math ideas for integrating Groundhog Day into your curriculum. 

One thing I like to do is share with my students that one of my granddaughters was born on 02-02-2020 and then ask what they notice about the date. Someone will eventually notice the palindrome pattern! Palindromes are just so cool, and every class seems to have at least one student who becomes fascinated with them.

Math logic riddles are a great way to enrich your curriculum and offer alternatives for your early finishers and advanced students. Try this free set of eight elimination riddle cards for Groundhog Day by clicking here!

The last two ideas for math are both from my TPT store.

The first is an extended set of riddles like those in the free set just above, but all completely different from the free ones. This set has 24 riddle cards, a board game that uses the cards, and the same riddles in printable worksheet format, handy for lesson warm-ups, exit tickets, and homework.  You can find it here.

If your students could use more practice on the very basic step of mentally finding ten more and ten less, and if they're ready to move beyond the concrete stage,  this might be just what you need! Click here for a closer look.

Keep the fun in learning, and have fun on Groundhog Day!

Happy Teaching!

Groundhog Day Math Freebie!

Hi, Teaching Friends!

I love Groundhog Day at school. It's just a fun, one-day deal, with no great push to cover related content. There are lots of fun ways to connect science (animals, shadows, seasons) and a growing number of awfullly cute read-alouds. Plus, the word "predict" can be squeezed into conversation numerous times during the day. Some targeted repetition never hurts, right? :)


Here's a fun freebie - the latest one at my TpT store!  Your students will be mini-math detectives as they evaluate numerical expressions. The goal of the elimination puzzle on each of the eight task cards is to use the clues to cross out three numbers. The remaining number shows where Mr. Groundhog's shadow is hidden.

Just click here or on any of the pictures above to get your copy!


If you and your students enjoy these riddles, you'll be happy to hear that I've been obsessing over making them lately.  Each of these sets has 24 task cards, a page for students to record their answers, and an answer key.  Here are some of the results of my obsession :

Did I exaggerate?  Not really. :)  Chances are there will be more to come, too.



Happy Teaching!

Grouchy Groundhog - Free Consonant Blends Game!

It's just a bit early, but, hey - we can never get enough practice on those "r blends": dr-, gr-, tr-! {you won't find the dreaded "jr-" in here!} It's time to play the Grouchy Groundhog game!

Here's a simple-to-make card game for Groundhog Day, and before, and beyond! Featuring the cutest little groundhog, from Little Red's Schoolhouse at TpT, this game has 51 word cards, for LOTS of practice! Your download also includes a sort-and-record student response page. Click on the picture and enjoy!

Looking for more activities for Groundhog day? Click here to visit this post, packed with ideas for integrating Groundhog Day into your curriculum.  You'll even find another freebie for this crazy February celebration, a set of math riddles to enrich and extend your students' thinking!

                                                                                    

Happy Teaching!