What Is Groundhog Day?

Groundhog Day is a holiday celebrated on February 2 in the United States and Canada. This holiday dates back to the 1800's in Pennsylvania when German settlers used a sacred animal to predict the weather for the upcoming seasons. According to tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow on Groundhog Day, it will hide in its burrow to hibernate for six weeks more of winter. If the groundhog does not see its shadow, it will leave its burrow, showing the end of winter and an early start to spring.There are groundhog day celebrations all across the country but the largest and most famous is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The official groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil has made a prediction for the last 115 years. 


Showing what happens if the groundhog sees or does not see its shadow. 

Vocabulary: 
Groundhog (noun): a small, furry North American animal that lives in the ground. 

Settlers (noun): a person who goes and lives in a new place that does not have a lot of people already living there. 

Sacred (adjective): very valued, important, relating to religion. 

Predict (verb): to say something that might happen in the future. 

Burrow (noun): a hole or a tunnel underground that small animals live in to keep them safe. 

Hibernate (verb): when an animal spends the winter sleeping or hiding. 

Vocabulary Activity: 
Directions: Write a sentence for each vocabulary word. 
1.Groundhog_____________________________________________________
2.Settlers________________________________________________________
3.Sacred:________________________________________________________
4.Predict_________________________________________________________
5.Burrow_________________________________________________________
6. Hibernate_______________________________________________________

Grammar Point: 
An adjective is a word that tells you about a noun. For example, in the paragraphs above the words largest and sacred are adjectives. 
 

Grammar Activity: Write three sentences using adjectives to describe a noun. Underline the adjectives you used in your sentences. 

For more information check out this website;https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collections/teaching-content/groundhog-day-15-fun-teaching-resources-1/