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Groundhog Day

Introduction to Groundhogs

Introduction to Groundhogs
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 3 to 6
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   7.95

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    commonly, endure, groundhogs, grassy, underground, easily, toilet, roots, otherwise, also, separate, several, correct, inch, accurate, construct
     content words:    North America, On February, Groundhog Day

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Introduction to Groundhogs   
1     Commonly found in North America, groundhogs (also known as woodchucks) have four large, chisel-like incisor teeth. Because their teeth grow about 1/16 of an inch every week, groundhogs must spend a lot of time nibbling at trees or roots to wear down their teeth. If they don't do that, they may jeopardize their own lives!
 
2     Groundhogs are excellent homebuilders. Their underground residences (or burrows) can be 5 feet deep and extend for over 30 feet. Because groundhogs like to keep their burrows dry, they always construct their homes on sloped, grassy areas where water flows away easily. Their burrows have several rooms linked by tunnels, and each one is for a different function. For example, groundhogs have separate toilet areas so they don't soil their bedrooms.
 
3     Perhaps groundhogs are most famous for their ability to predict seasonal change. On February 2nd every year, people gather in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to celebrate Groundhog Day. On that day, the renowned groundhog named Phil comes out of his underground home to look for his shadow. Believers say that we will endure six more weeks of winter if Phil sees his shadow. Otherwise, spring will come soon. This tradition, introduced by German settlers, has been celebrated in Punxsutawney since 1886. So, how accurate is Phil? Well, disappointingly, only 39% of Phil's predictions have been correct.
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