Groundhog Day 2-Hour Lesson Plan for Elementary School

Groundhog Day Lesson Plan & Activities (Grades 2–5)

Bring Groundhog Day to life with this engaging, cross-curricular lesson plan! Students will explore the science, tradition, and fun behind this popular February celebration — while practicing reading, writing, math, and critical thinking skills. Perfect for upper elementary classrooms looking to combine holiday fun with real learning.

What’s Included

• Complete 120-minute lesson plan
• Printable student worksheet (15 sections + answer key)
• Vocabulary list and misconceptions guide
• Differentiation notes for Grades 2–5
• Family letter for at-home connection
• Craft and activity ideas (puppets, graphs, games, and more)
• Assessment rubric and extension projects

How It Works in the Classroom

Use this resource for:

• Whole-group science or social studies lessons
• Literacy centers or seasonal enrichment
• Substitute plans or February celebrations
• Interactive lessons that mix fact vs. fiction, reading comprehension, and hands-on learning
• No prep required—just print and teach! Students will investigate whether Punxsutawney Phil can really predict the weather, explore hibernation and habitats, and reflect on the difference between tradition and scientific truth.

Standards & Learning Goals

• Understand tradition vs. science
• Identify animal adaptations and hibernation
• Practice data, graphing, and measurement
• Strengthen reading comprehension and informational writing
• Develop critical thinking through evidence-based discussion

Aligned with:
NGSS (Animal Behavior, Weather), Common Core ELA (RI, W, SL), and basic math standards for graphing and data interpretation.

Why Teachers Love It

• Covers multiple subjects in one engaging lesson
• Includes hands-on, creative, and digital-friendly options
• Promotes critical thinking with fact vs. opinion activities
• Differentiation built in for Grades 2–5 and ELL students
• Family letter connects classroom learning to home

This resource saves prep time and sparks student curiosity — a favorite February activity that teachers use year after year!

Make Groundhog Day meaningful and fun — download this complete lesson plan today and celebrate with science, literacy, and creativity combined!