Cause and Effect

Scaffolded Organizer: To scaffold the task and further guide student reading, consider providing a scaffolded organizer in which the causes are labeled. This sets an additional purpose for reading and helps students tune into the key details. Additionally, paragraph numbers can be provided to guide students in locating the effects. This is particularly helpful when the effects are implied and for students who need additional support with syntax and language development. Younger students can also draw their cause-and-effect relationships to further aid their understanding.

Advanced Proficiency: Enhance analytical thinking by teaching students to identify and express three levels of causation: immediate (direct causes/effects), intermediate (connecting events), and long term (lasting impact). For younger students, focus on clear, direct cause-and-effect relationships using precise academic terms (e.g., results in, leads to, causes). For older students, encourage analysis of multiple causes and effects, using sophisticated academic language to express complex relationships (e.g., precipitates, culminates in, generates). During discussions, have students use evidence-based language (e.g., “This event triggered…, which ultimately led to…”) to explain multi-step cause-and-effect chains. This develops students’ advanced academic vocabulary while building their critical thinking about historical and scientific relationships.