February 2nd is Groundhog Day. Will Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of winter? Here he is 2/2/24. Where in the world did this tradition come from?

There is a legend that says a few hundred years ago Europeans brought Groundhog Day to America. They said that the groundhog wakes up from his hibernation on February 2. (February 2 is halfway between winter and spring.) If he comes up from his hole and it is sunny, he will see his shadow and be frightened. If he sees his shadow, there will be 6 more weeks of winter weather. But if he comes up and the sky is cloudy, he will not see his shadow and will not be frightened. Then spring weather will come very soon.

Challenges:

• Substitute another animal for Mr. Phil.  For example, if we were using a kitten, how would we know if we had six more weeks of winter?
• 7 Things You Didn’t Know About Groundhogs comes from Scientific American.
• Watch SciShow Kids for more fun facts about groundhogs.
• 5 Minute English has a short reading comprehension activity.
• Click here for a fun Groundhog Day puzzle!