Netzaberg Elementary Turns Groundhog Day into a Learning Adventure

Groundhog Day isn’t just about waiting for a furry little critter to predict the weather—it’s also an excellent opportunity to teach young students about traditions, seasons, and making predictions. Earlier this month, at Netzaberg Elementary, third-grade students had a blast learning all about this tradition while making predictions of their own.

Teachers brought the history of Groundhog Day to life through interactive activities, allowing students to explore where the tradition came from, how the weather predictions work (or don’t work!), and why Punxsutawney Phil is so famous. The lessons helped students connect to the celebration in a way that was both relevant and exciting.

No Groundhog Day celebration is complete without predictions. After learning about Phil’s forecasting abilities, each student had the chance to make their own prediction: Would Phil see his shadow? Would winter last six more weeks, or would an early spring arrive? Teachers encouraged students to think like meteorologists, prompting them to back up their predictions with reasoning

—even if just for fun! The entire school joined in the prediction fun, with a voting station set up to gather everyone’s guesses on Phil’s shadow.

The third-grade team went all out to make the day memorable. Arts and crafts were incorporated into the lessons, with students designing groundhog cutouts and creating shadow-themed art projects. Group discussions and educational games helped bring the tradition to life, ensuring a fun and engaging experience.

Students were also able to watch Phil’s prediction for six more weeks of winter. While it wasn’t the outcome many were hoping for, the experience left students with warm memories to carry through the rest of winter. Ultimately, the day wasn’t just about the tradition—it was about creating a learning experience that sparked curiosity and excitement about the world around them.