Cause and Effect

So as I mentioned before, my student's test scores were indicating that they didn't understand cause and effect.  I was shocked :0!  We had been covering this since 2nd grade!

So we did some whole group cause and effect activities were we read the story, I gave them events, and they had to give me the cause or effect.  They also did some worksheets for homework where they had to identify it.  That's when I realized the problem.  They could identify cause and effect in short paragraphs and sentences but could not do it for a longer passage.  So I went to my trusty reading coach and together we came up with this project.

First, we read If You Take a Mouse to School.

Now this book is way below the reading level of some of my kids but that was just what I wanted so that they could apply the skill to a longer book.  All the books in this series are perfect for cause and effect.

Then, as a whole group, we filled in this cause and effect chart using the interactive white board.

Then we got out folders ready.  I gave the kids this title page so that they would have an aide to help them.  The picture shows 2 on one page.

The kids created their folders.  One side they had to do If You Take a Mouse to School.  The other side they had to do for a book of their choice.  I also included pictures of the instructions and grading rubric for you.....I really need to learn how to use google docs.

Front Cover

Inside View

The kids really got a lot out of it.  The ones that struggled learned a lot and asked a lot of questions.  It also let me know who needed more help and who had mastered it.