Start explaining to your class why we recognize Groundhog Day and how we celebrate it. Give them a background of how this tradition developed, explaining how it was started by the Pennsylvania German's in the 18th century to determine the weather. Tell the class how it was believed that if the groundhog saw his shadow, it would quickly run back into it's burrow and winter would continue, but if the groundhog came out of its dwelling, winter would soon end.
Use books with illustrations or pop-ups for younger children to explain how the groundhog comes out of it's den to see (or not see) it's shadow. Colorful, fun illustrated books, such as "Gregory's Shadow" or "Punxsutawney Phyllis," which have fun-loving fictional groundhogs as the main characters, will pique the children's interest and teach them.
Tell the children to guess whether they think the groundhog will declare that a longer winter is in store or that spring is coming. Ask them to draw or color a picture depicting what the groundhog will do on Groundhog Day. You can also print coloring pages off the internet for children in lower grades.
Ask the children to create a poem based on Groundhog Day. The poem can include something about the changing of seasons, winter and spring, the groundhog or its shadow. Encourage creativity. Create a sample poem or use one from the internet to show the children how to write a poem.
Use word games to get the children interested in the holiday. Write a word such as "shadow" or "groundhog" on the board and ask the children to create as many other words from that word as possible. This activity will not only get them to think about the day but will also stimulate learning and spelling.