Start this activity several weeks before Groundhog Day. Begin by introducing or reviewing with the students the popular book "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," by Jeff Kinney. Explain that they will draw inspiration from the book to create their own booklets titled "Diary of a Wimpy Groundhog." Students should draw a picture on the front cover. Throughout their booklet, they should use a first-person point of view and write from the groundhog's perspective. These booklets provide the perfect way to encourage students to get creative and use higher-order thinking skills to complete a project. On Groundhog Day, have students share their booklets with the class.
This fun project gives fifth-grade students the opportunity to be a newspaper editor for a day. Begin by dividing the class into groups of three or four students. Explain to students that they will create a newspaper that will cover the day's events. The newspaper should include headlines, multiple articles, cartoons, photographs and drawings. This newspaper should tell the readers exactly what the groundhog did and what they should expect because of it. Encourage students to be creative and think like a real journalist. Distribute a large sheet of blank newsprint to each group. After students finish, give them an opportunity to share their newspaper with the class.
Introduce a science lesson by discussing several ecosystems. Look at pictures of various animal habitats. Talk about where the groundhog lives and why that type of animal is best suited for that particular habitat. Separate the class into smaller groups. Give each group a cardboard box and art supplies. Have students create a diorama that is a model of the groundhog's ecosystem. Guide students as they further research a groundhog's ecosystem. When students finish, ask the groups to present their dioramas to the class.
Give students a chance to be in the spotlight with a television project. Explain to students that they should work with a group to write a script for a morning show that would air on Groundhog Day. Students could interview guests, discuss the results from the groundhog's decision and even create advertisements. After the students have had time to practice the show, have them perform it in front of the class. If possible, videotape the show and allow them to watch the tape on another day.