Lesson & Activities - Groundhog Day: A Fun Winter Tradition
- Learn English with NETOL
- 56 minutes ago
- 10 min read
✦ This lesson includes these sections:
☞ PART 1 - The Animal Behind Groundhog Day
☞ PART 2 - Understanding What A Prediction Is
☞ PART 3 - What Is A Superstition?
☞ PART 4 - 10 Popular Superstitions
☞ ACTIVITY 1 - Good Luck Or Bad Luck Superstition Activity
☞ PART 5 -When Is Groundhog Day Celebrated?
☞ PART 6 -The History Of Groundhog Day
☞ PART 7 -What Happens On Groundhog Day?
☞ PART 8 -Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
☞ PART 9 -Groundhog Day, Wiarton, Ontario, Canada
☞ PART 10 - This Year's Groundhog Day Prediction
☞ ACTIVITY 2 - Good Luck Or Bad Luck Superstition Activity
☞ PART 11 -Concluding Thoughts
☞ LISTENING - Groundhog Day: A Fun Winter Tradition
☞ POLL - Is Spring Going To Arrive Late Or Early?
☞ QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge
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Groundhog Day: A Fun Winter Tradition
Speaking Activity
Conversation Questions
Instructions:
Listen to and read the conversation questions.
Practice your speaking by answering each question out loud.
See some possible answers to the conversation questions by clicking the side arrows next to each question.
Conversation Questions
1. What is a groundhog?
A groundhog is a small animal. It lives in holes in the ground and sleeps during winter.
2. Have you heard of Groundhog Day?
Yes, I have heard of Groundhog Day. It is a tradition in North America.
3. What is a superstition?
A superstition is a belief that something brings good or bad luck, but it is not scientific.
4. What is a prediction?
A prediction is when you say what you think will happen in the future.
5. Why do people use a groundhog to predict the weather?
People use a groundhog because it comes out of its hole near the end of winter.
Writing Activity
Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Instructions:
Get a pencil and paper.
Copy the words from below.
Look up the definitions of the words online.
Get to know the definitions of each word
Important Words - Groundhog Day
tradition
history
belief
future
predict
superstition
popular
event
announce
result
community
meaning
Groundhog Day: A Fun Winter Tradition
Instructions:
Read the following text.
Listen to the audio files.
Complete the activities within the lesson.
Note: Reading out loud when learning a new language is important because it helps you practice your pronunciation. When you speak the words, you can hear how they sound, and this will improve your speaking skills.
The Animal Behind Groundhog Day
A groundhog is a small animal that lives in North America. It is also called a woodchuck. Groundhogs are mammals and belong to the squirrel family. They live in underground holes and sleep through most of the winter in a long sleep called hibernation. Groundhogs are good diggers and eat plants like grass, fruits, and vegetables. Because they come out of their holes near the end of winter, people choose them to help “predict” the weather.
Understanding What A Prediction Is
A prediction is a statement about what someone thinks will happen in the future. A prediction can be based on facts, experience, or beliefs. Sometimes predictions use science, like weather forecasts. Other times, like on Groundhog Day, predictions are based on tradition and superstition.
What Is A Superstition?
A superstition is a belief that something will bring good or bad luck, even if there is no scientific proof. Superstitions often come from old traditions and stories. People may follow them because of culture, habit, or hope. For example, some people believe certain actions can change the future.
10 Popular Superstitions Around the World
Many superstitions are known around the world. Here are ten popular superstitions:
Seeing a shooting star brings good luck.
Many people believe that seeing a shooting star is lucky. Shooting stars are rare, so people think they are special. When someone sees one, they often make a wish and believe something good will happen.
Walking under a ladder brings bad luck.
In many cultures, people think walking under a ladder brings bad luck. One reason is safety—objects can fall from ladders. Over time, this idea became a superstition about bad luck.
Finding a four-leaf clover brings good luck.
Most clovers have only three leaves, so a four‑leaf clover is hard to find. Because it is rare, people believe it brings good luck. Finding one makes people feel happy and hopeful.
Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.
Some people believe that breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. In the past, mirrors were expensive and special. Breaking one was a big problem, so people connected it with long‑term bad luck.
Knocking on wood brings good luck.
People knock on wood after saying something positive, like “I am healthy.” They believe this will protect their good luck. The idea comes from old beliefs that good spirits live in trees.
Opening an umbrella indoors brings bad luck.
Many people believe that opening an umbrella inside brings bad luck. This superstition may come from the past when umbrellas were large and dangerous indoors. Now, it is mainly a traditional belief.
Carrying a lucky charm brings protection and good luck.
A lucky charm is a small object people carry with them. They believe it protects them and brings good luck. The charm helps people feel safer and more confident in difficult situations.
Seeing a black cat crossing your path brings bad luck.
In some cultures, black cats are connected with bad luck. If a black cat crosses someone’s path, they may feel something bad will happen. In other cultures, black cats are lucky, so beliefs can be different.
Making a wish on your birthday candle brings good luck.
When people blow out birthday candles, they often make a wish. They believe the wish will come true if they blow out all the candles at once. This tradition is meant to bring happiness and good luck.
Spilling salt brings bad luck unless you throw some over your shoulder.
People believe spilling salt brings bad luck. However, they say you can stop the bad luck by throwing some salt over your left shoulder. This action is believed to protect you from bad luck.
Reading & Writing Activity
Popular Superstitions - Good Luck Or Bad Luck?
Instructions:
Get a pencil and paper.
Make a list from 1 to 10.
Read the 10 situations.
Use the chart - Popular Superstitions, and decide which situation is good luck and which is bad luck according to the popular superstitions.
Practice your writing by writing 'good luck' or 'bad luck' next to each number on your paper.
Check your answers by clicking on the side arrows next to each situation.
Superstition Situations Activity
Bad Luck Or Good Luck?
Situation #1: Alex is outside at night and suddenly sees a shooting star streak across the sky. Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring good luck.
Situation #2: Zena is walking into school and accidentally walks underneath a ladder leaning against the wall. Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring bad luck.
Situation #3: While playing in the park, Jamal finds a four‑leaf clover in the grass. Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring good luck.
Situation #4: Before taking a big test, Ethan knocks on wood after saying, “I think I’ll do well.” Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring good luck.
Situation #5: Kyla drops a mirror while cleaning her room, and it shatters into pieces. Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring bad luck.
Situation #6: Yosefina opens an umbrella inside her house because it’s wet from the rain. Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring bad luck.
Situation #7: Carlos always carries a small lucky charm in his backpack during soccer games. Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring good luck.
Situation #8: As Daria walks down the street, a black cat crosses directly in front of her. Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring bad luck.
Situation #9: Marcus spills salt at the dinner table but quickly throws some over his shoulder. Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring good luck.
Situation #10: On her birthday, Olivia blows out her candles and makes a secret wish. Is this situation considered to bring good luck or bad luck?
ANSWER: This situation is superstitiously believed to bring good luck.
When Is Groundhog Day Celebrated?
Groundhog Day is celebrated every year on February 2 in North America. This date stays the same each year and falls in the middle of winter. On this day, people look to a groundhog to predict whether winter will continue or spring will arrive early. Many people enjoy Groundhog Day because it brings fun, tradition, and hope for warmer weather.
The History of Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day started in the United States in the late 1800s. It began with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. In Germany, people watched animals like hedgehogs to predict the weather. In America, groundhogs were common, so people used them instead. The first official Groundhog Day event was held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, in 1887, and the tradition is still celebrated there today every year on February 2.
How Does The Groundhog Predict Early Spring Or 6 More Weeks Of Winter?
Step 1
The Groundhog Comes Out of Its Hole
Early in the morning on February 2, the groundhog is taken out of its underground hole. This happens after the groundhog has been sleeping there during the winter.
Step 2
People Watch the Groundhog Carefully
When the groundhog comes out, people watch to see what it does. They are especially watching for one thing: its shadow.
Step 3
The Prediction Is Made
If the Groundhog Sees Its Shadow
If the day is sunny, the groundhog may see its shadow on the ground.
People believe this means six more weeks of winter.
The groundhog is said to get scared and go back into its hole.
If the Groundhog Does NOT See Its Shadow
If the day is cloudy, the groundhog may not see its shadow.
People believe this means an early spring.
The groundhog stays outside longer.
Step 4
People Share the Prediction
After the groundhog’s action, the prediction is announced. People listen to the result at the celebration, on the radio, or on the news.
Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, is the most famous place for Groundhog Day. The groundhog there is called Punxsutawney Phil. Thousands of visitors come to see him every year. The event happens at a place called Gobbler’s Knob. Phil is known as the “official” weather-predicting groundhog.
Groundhog Day in Wiarton, Ontario, Canada
In Canada, Groundhog Day is celebrated all across the country. One popular place where Groundhog Day is celebrated is Wiarton, Ontario. The groundhog there is called Wiarton Willie. Willie is famous for being white. The town has a big festival with parades and shows. Many people visit Wiarton to enjoy the celebration and hear Willie’s prediction.
This Year's Groundhog Day Predictions
2026
Groundhog Day Prediction In
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania:
Groundhog Day Prediction In
Wiarton, Ontario, Canada:
Listening, Reading & Writing Activity
Dialogues - Groundhog Day
Instructions:
Get a pencil and paper and make a list from 1 to 3 that represents the 3 dialogues below.
Read and listen to each one of the 3 dialogues.
Decide which prediction the groundhog made in each dialogue.
After reading each dialogue, practice your writing by writing groundhog prediction next to the list of 1-3 numbers that you wrote in your notebook.
Check your answers by clicking on the side arrows that are next to each of the 3 dialogues.
Groundhog Day Predictions
Dialogue A
Groundhog Day 2009
Listen & read the conversation between Greg & Lisa.
Greg: Did you watch the Groundhog Day event this morning?
Lisa: Yes, I did. It was very sunny when the groundhog came out.
Greg: I noticed he went back into his hole very quickly.
Lisa: That usually happens when he sees something on the ground.
Greg: I guess winter coats will stay out a bit longer.
Lisa: Yes, it doesn’t sound like spring is coming soon.
Groundhog Day Prediction: 6 More Weeks Of Winter
Dialogue B
Groundhog Day 2018
Listen & read the conversation between Nikki & Jenny.
Nikki: Groundhog Day felt different this year.
Jenny: I agree. The sky was cloudy, and there was no sunshine at all.
Nikki: The groundhog stayed outside and looked very calm.
Jenny: People started cheering right away.
Nikki: I heard someone say we might see warmer weather soon.
Jenny: That would be great after such a long winter.
Groundhog Day Prediction: Early Spring
Dialogue C
Groundhog Day 2025
Listen & read the conversation between Mario & Susana.
Mario: Did you hear the groundhog’s prediction today?
Susana: I didn’t hear it, but I saw the video.
Mario: The sun was very bright when he came out.
Susana: Yes, and he turned around almost right away.
Mario: I guess we shouldn’t put away our boots yet.
Susana: Winter might not be finished with us.
Groundhog Day Prediction: 6 More Weeks Of Winter
Concluding Thoughts On Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day is a fun tradition with a long history. It brings together culture, superstition, and prediction. Even though it does not really predict the weather, it gives people something to enjoy in winter. Groundhog Day reminds us that traditions can be fun and meaningful, even if they are just for fun.
Listening Activity
Groundhog Day: A Fun Winter Tradition
Instructions:
Press the play buttons below.
Listen to the audio file.
Use the reading from above to follow along with the audio file.
Groundhog Day: A Fun Winter Tradition
Take Our Poll
Is Spring Going To Arrive Late Or Early?
Do you think spring is going to arrive late or early?
I think that spring is going to arrive late.
I think that spring is going to arrive early.
I don't know.
Test Your Knowledge By Taking Our Quiz
Instructions:
Read the 10 multiple-choice questions from below.
Answer each question.
Click the Submit button when you are done.
Click the View Score button to see how you did on the quiz.
Click below for a reading without the accompanying activities:
Written by: Nicole WT
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