Lesson Plans for Teachers

Written and compiled by:
The faculty and staff of West End Elementary School, Punxsutawney, PA.

Groundhog Day comes only once a year and its arrival is eagerly awaited by thousands of Phil's faithful followers. Nowhere in the world is Phil's prediction more anxiously awaited than in Punxsutawney, PA, the HOME OF THE GROUNDHOG!

Legend decrees that if Phil sees his shadow on February 2nd, six more weeks of winter weather will befall the world. If no shadow is apparent we're in for the delights of an early spring.

HOT DOG

This game is Punxsutawney's version of "Hot Potato." Arrange students in a circle. Give one student a stuffed groundhog, or a picture of a groundhog taped to a stick. As the music plays the students pass the groundhog around the circle. When the music stops the student holding the groundhog is OUT. Play continues until there is only one Groundhog King or Queen left.

TOSS THE HOG

The trek to the Knob is over, the crowd has gone home. Phil, the famous weather prognosticator, has made this decree. Now what? How do you get that groundhog back in it s hole? Well... we would suggest that you "TOSS THE 'HOG!"

You will need one ball decorated as a groundhog (use a groundhog toboggan cap pulled over a small playground ball or tape on groundhog features or draw them), a classroom wastepaper can (decorated as Punx'y Phil's burrow - use black or brown construction paper), and a masking tape line on the floor.

Have the contestants line up at the indicated spot. Each contestant line up at the indicated spot. Each contestant gets three chances to send the 'hog home! Sort students into categories according to their success (0, 1, 2, or 3 'hogs in the can). Have students with the highest numbers of successful throws continue competing until there is a winner. Vary the distance, number of throws, etc. to make the game more or less difficult. The prize could be a groundhog cookie, a pencil, or a certificate proclaiming the person King or Queen of the 'Hog Tossers!

SPRING OR SNOW

Spring or Snow is an easy game which asks students to try to guess Phil's prediction. Even though the real prediction is known only by Phil, students will have fun trying to outwit Punxsutawney's famous weather prognosticator.

Each student should have two cards - one depicting a spring scene and one depicting a snowy, winter scene. The teacher should have several spring and winter cards in a bag. After asking the students to make their predictions by holding up the appropriate card, the teacher pulls one card out of her bag. Students whose predictions do not match the teacher's prediction are OUT. The game continues in this fashion until only one student is left. That student is named PHIL'S ASSISTANT WEATHER FORECASTER and is given a groundhog prize or a PHIL hat to wear.

GROUNDHOG BINGO

Bingo is entertaining any day of the year and "Groundhog Bingo" is most appropriate and fun for February 2nd. Prepare game cards with 25 squares and the letters P-U-N-X-Y across the top. Place a picture of a groundhog in the center free space. Randomly place 24 of the following holiday related words in the squares:

weather, famous, Punxsutawney, top hats, queen, Groundhog Rock, celebrate, king, Feb. 2nd, prognosticator, winter, prophet, trek, spring, banquet, legend, burrow, February, Gobbler's Knob, forecast, groundhog, shadow, animal, The Movie, seer, sun, Phil, Inner Circle, six weeks, Groundhog Punch, meteorologist, mammal, two winters, Candlemas Day, whistle pig

The winner may receive a groundhog cookie or a pencil as a prize.

SSHH! SILENT GROUNDHOG!

If Phil predicts six more weeks of winter, he scurries back into his cozy burrow on Gobbler's Knob for six more weeks of sleep. Try not to awaken Phil during his hibernation as your students play SSHH! SILENT GROUNDHOG.

Decorate a soft classroom ball to look like Phil or put a groundhog toboggan cap over a foam ball. The students position themselves around the room and toss Phil to each other. If a student misses the ball, he is out. If a student makes a poor toss by throwing an uncatchable ball, the pitcher is out. Any student who talks, or makes any noise, thereby threatening to awaken Phil, is also out.

UP AT THE KNOB SONG

(sung to the tune of "Up On The Housetop")
(words by: Kathy Bish)

Version 1: If Phil does not see his shadow

Up at the Knob the groundhogs pause
Sitting up and showing claws.
Is there a shadow her today?
If not spring is on the way.

Cheer, Cheer, Cheer
Spring is here!
Cheer, Cheer, Cheer
Spring is here!
Up at the Knob it is so clear
We're waiting for Springtime to appear!

Version 2: If Phil sees his shadow

Up at the Knob the groundhogs pause
Sitting up and showing claws.
"I see my shadow." says old Phil
Six more weeks of winter chill.

Boo, hoo, hoo,
We're so blue!
Boo, hoo, hoo,
We're so blue!
Up at the Knob when shadows come
Six more weeks till we have sun!

I'M DREAMING OF THE GREAT GROUNDHOG SONG

(to the tune of "White Christmas")
From: Holiday Ideas for Youth Groups, Wayne Rice & Mike Yaconelli, Youth Specialties, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan

I'm dreaming of the Great Groundhog
Just like I do this time each year
When he brings nice weather
And brings us together
To wait for him to appear.

I'm dreaming of the Great Groundhog
With every groundhog card I write.
May your Groundhog's Day be bright
When the Great Groundhog visits you tonight.

GROUNDHOG WONDERLAND SONG

(to the tune of "Winter Wonderland")
From: Holiday Ideas for Youth Groups, Wayne Rice & Mike Yaconelli, Youth Specialties, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Groundhogs hoot, are your listening?
'Neath the sun, all is glist'ning
A real warm light we're happy tonight
Waitin' in a Groundhog wonderland.

In the field, we're watching for the Groundhog.
We've been waiting for this day all year.
Do you think that he will see his shadow?
And will we know if springtime's almost here?

Later on, while we're eating
What we got on Groundhog Day
We'll share all our sacks
Of good Groundhog snacks
Waitin' in a Groundhog wonderland.