Amusing Groundhogs

Will Punxsutawney Phil jump back in his burrow this Thursday?  Groundhog Day is a great opportunity to integrate your curriculum.  Do you have a junior meteorologists in your class?  Let him or her be in charge of collecting weather data for the next six weeks.

Are you looking for a H.O.T.S. (higher order thinking skills) activity?  How about comparing Punxsutawney, PA to your town?  To prepare for this activity, let your students research the town first.  They might even want to go to mapquest to see how miles you live from Punxsutawney Phil.  Here's a venn diagram to document your findings.

Another comparison activity I like to do is to compare a fiction and a non-fiction book.  Here are 2 of my favorite groundhog books.

Here's the comparison sheet:

For other activities check out my "Amusing Groundhogs" packet.  You can get it at TPT for $3.

This packet includes:

• Tech connection: Using a computer or iPad investigate the following about groundhogs: scientific classification, appearance, habitat, life cycle/reproduction, and diet.
• Writing connection: First, use a circle pie organizer to organize your thoughts about groundhogs. Then write your own tale about our furry weather predictor. Included are writing papers with narrow lines and dotted line paper, and circle pie organizer.
• Math connection:  Survey your friends!  Ask them about their prediction for Phil.  Will he or won't he see his shadow?  After collecting data from your friends, record the results on the graph.  Data collection worksheet and graph included.
• Science connection: Did Punxsutawney Phil get it right? Collect data for the next six weeks to see if his prediction comes true. Either have a budding meteorologist record the high temperature and type of weather each day as part of your calendar routine or give each student their own recording sheet. It could even be a six week homework assignment. Two page recording sheets are included.
• H.O.T.S. (Higher Order Thinking Skills) connection: Strengthen your students' comprehension of stories through comparing and contrasting the important details. Included is: comparing a fiction and a non-fiction groundhog story. There is also a blank form incase you read more or different books.
• Social studies connection: It's time to research! What's the town of Punxsutawney, PA? How far is it from your town? Look at maps, go to the library or computer labs to find the information and then fill out a Venn diagram comparing Phil's home to where you live.
• Three groundhog themed centers:
• Compound words: Cut apart the words and put them together to make compound words.  Most words can be used at least twice.  Word sheet, recording sheet, and answer key are included.
• Alphabetical order: Put 12 words in alphabetical order. Worksheet and answer key included.
• Making words: How many words can you make from the word "groundhog"?