Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (2024)

I am SO excited for Groundhog Day this year!

To be honest, I haven’t taught anything super fun or special on this holiday in the past, but this year is different.

I have learned over the years that using kiddos excitement for special holidays or what naturally interests them is the best way to teach. They are so engaged with what we are doing, and this makes my job ten times easier.

So I finally took the time to put together a complete unit for Groundhog Day, and I can’t wait to get started!

I am sharing a fun FREEBIE with you right here on this blog post.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (2)

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Let’s learn about Groundhog Day!

I am showing you all of the resources on this blog post, and I separate them into easy to use lessons for you.

You can also use the materials as you need to create your own lesson plans.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (3)

Many students will have no idea what a groundhog is, what a shadow is, where Pennsylvania is, or why we even are celebrating this holiday.

I always start by building background information and connecting new information to what they already know.

You can show the students each slide and read it to them, or I also include a presentation that has a video on each slide where I read it to them!

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (4)

For lesson two, we quickly review the slideshow/videos and I clarify any questions. Then we complete this activity together.

Here is a great video to show as well to continue building their background knowledge.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (5)

I couldn’t believe how many misconceptions students had about what a shadow is, and how shadows are made.

This super easy experiment helps students understand shadows, and they make so many connections to seeing shadows outside.

They will be running to you to tell you every time they see a shadow for the next week.

It is so fun seeing their excitement!

Show this video AFTER your experiment!

He goes into more detail about what makes a shadow and different kinds of shadows.

THIS is a super cute, quick read aloud for learning more about shadows.

Most libraries have it available too.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (7)

Have you used my animal reports before?

You will love how easy it is for students to read about, learn, take notes and WRITE their own little reports.

The graphic organizers match the sentences perfectly - focusing on the same six keywords: are, can, have, eat, live, like

Students read the passage and then they can take notes.

You can do this whole group, in small groups or your higher students can complete these on their own.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (8)

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (9)

Students love learning all of these facts about groundhogs. After they have their sentences completed, they now have all the information they need to make a bulletin board craft and a mini book to display what they know.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (10)

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (11)

Everything is planned for you… you can simply print and teach!

I spread these activities over several days leading up to Groundhog Day.

Now that we have learned the basics about groundhogs, we are going to dive into learning about the lifecycle of a groundhog.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (12)

I made a poster that shows the changes a groundhog goes through, and then a coordinating cut and paste activity with more information. This is the perfect lesson before students get their very own mini book about the lifecycle of a groundhog.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (13)

Display the posters and review the vocabulary before reading. Each student can get their very own mini book!

They come in both color and black and white.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (14)

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (15)

Students absolutely love labeling, and this makes an easy lesson or they are perfect for fast finishers.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (16)

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (17)

Now it is almost Groundhog Day!

We have learned so much in this unit, and now students have so much fun pretending that they are a groundhog.

They make a cute craft and then you can display this on your February bulletin board.

Three differentiated versions of the writing paper are included, as well as step by step instructions for the cute groundhog craft.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (18)

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (19)

Display these steps as you are making the little groundhog to make it easy for you and students!

I love having visuals so I do not have to repeat myself and to help kiddos be more independent.

I made the cut outs two different ways:

  1. All shapes are on one page and students can color each shape.

  2. Shapes are separated and grouped together so you can print them on colored paper.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (20)

It is now the morning of Groundhog Day!

We have been learning so much, and the kiddos are absolutely over the moon excited.

It is time to make a prediction! Will the groundhog see his shadow today?

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (21)

I have these lessons spread out over about two weeks, but you can definitely use these resources in just a few days if you prefer.

Plus, I added 10 BONUS no prep worksheets for students who finish their project quickly, or to fill those extra spaces in your day.

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (22)

I hope you love these activities as much as we do!

“There were so many great resources with this unit! I actually had the Vice Principal come in while we were making our groundhogs and rave about how cute they were!! This was a really fun unit for my Kinders!”

“I can’t say enough about how much of an asset this activity pack has been to my class. It makes learning about Groundhog Day fun and interactive.”

“We use this activity pack for the whole week.”

“This was an excellent resource and a fantastic teaching tool.”

Print a FREE activity if you do not need the entire unit!

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Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (25)

February

Michala

Groundhog Day, Groundhog's Day, February, Shadow, Craft, history

6 Comments

Groundhog Day in Kindergarten and First Grade FREEBIE — Keeping My Kiddo Busy (2024)

FAQs

How do you explain Groundhog Day to kindergarten? ›

Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2nd. According to the legend, on this morning, if a groundhog can see its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it cannot see its shadow, spring is on the way. This is a great time to teach children about shadows, weather and the groundhog himself.

What are some fun facts about Groundhogs Day for kids? ›

Fun Facts about Groundhog's Day
  • The groundhog wakes up from hibernation on February 2.
  • If the groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges from its burrow, there will be six more weeks of winter.
  • If it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive soon.
  • This tradition started in Europe as Candlemas Day.
Feb 1, 2021

What is Groundhog Day Grade 1? ›

On this day, according to tradition, people watch the behavior of a groundhog (also called a woodchuck) to find out what the weather will be like for the next six weeks. If the animal sees its shadow as it comes out of its burrow, there will be six more weeks of wintery weather.

What is Groundhog Day for dummies? ›

February 2nd is Groundhog Day, the day when a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil predicts whether or not we will have six more weeks of winter. If he sees his shadow, more cold is on the way; if not, warmer weather is coming.

What lesson does Groundhog Day teach? ›

As Phil walks through the crowds waiting to see Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog), he clearly doesn't want to be there and looks down upon everyone. He thinks he is better than everyone there. Lesson: Don't mock or dismiss what others are excited about or interested in.

What is Groundhog Day meaning for kids? ›

Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2. On this day the behavior of a groundhog (or woodchuck) is said to predict the weather for the next six weeks. If the groundhog comes out of his burrow and sees his shadow, the weather supposedly will be cold and wintry.

What are 5 interesting facts about groundhogs? ›

5 Fun Facts About Groundhogs
  • Groundhogs are the largest members of the squirrel family.
  • Although they are usually seen on the ground, they can climb trees and swim.
  • Groundhogs are considered a true hibernator. ...
  • Groundhog burrows can be as deep as 6 feet and as large as 20 feet or more.
Feb 2, 2023

What is the most interesting or surprising thing you learned about Groundhog Day? ›

It turns out that the concept of Groundhog Day actually originated in Germany. Germans used a hedgehog to "predict" the weather on Candlemas Day, a Christian holiday celebrated on February 2nd each year.

What is a fun fact about Groundhog Day movie? ›

Fun facts about Groundhog Day (1993):

Murray was bitten twice by the groundhog while filming and even needed to get rabies shots just in case, IMDb shows. No, Punxsutawney Phil was not used in the making of this film. In fact, the film wasn't shot in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, but rather in Woodstock, Illinois.

What is the moral of the story Groundhog Day? ›

Phil shows us that living in the moment and working for a better future is not only the best way to escape a rodent-centric time loop, but also the best way to feel satisfied with your finances.

What does Groundhog Day tell us? ›

Groundhog Day happens every year on February 2. It's the day upon which, according to legend, a groundhog seeks its shadow. If it's sunny and he sees his shadow, it's said we'll see six more weeks of winter. If it's cloudy and he doesn't see his shadow, it's said to mean an early spring.

Is Groundhog Day kid friendly? ›

The MPAA rated Groundhog Day PG for some thematic elements.

How to explain Groundhog Day to kindergarten? ›

According to the legend, on this morning, if a groundhog can see its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter. If it cannot see its shadow, spring is on the way. This is a great time to teach children about shadows, weather, and the groundhog himself.

What are 3 facts about Groundhog Day? ›

Fun Groundhog Day Facts for Kids
  • The most famous groundhog on Groundhog Day is Punxsutawney Phil, who lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
  • Phil isn't the first groundhog to celebrate the holiday each year! ...
  • In Nova Scotia, Groundhog Day is called Daks Day.
Jan 9, 2024

What is the message in Groundhog Day? ›

We only live in the present

Phil Connors is doomed to live the same day over and over for decades. There is no future for him, as the next day will still be the 2nd of February, Groundhog Day, and the past doesn't count. He can only live in the present. This is something that happens to us all the time, actually.

What is Groundhog Day simple? ›

It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, it will retreat to its den and winter will go on for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early. In 2024, an early spring was predicted.

Why do we celebrate Groundhog Day? ›

It's part of a tradition rooted in European agricultural life, marking the midpoint between the shortest day of the year on the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It's also a time of year that figures in the Celtic calendar and the Christian holiday of Candlemas.

What is the story for Groundhog Day? ›

The first mention Yoder has found of groundhogs predicting the weather on February 2 is in a diary entry for that day in 1840, written by a Welsh-American storekeeper in Pennsylvania: Today the Germans say the groundhog comes out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he returns in and remains there 40 days.

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