Lessons & Units

Cause and Effect 4th Grade Unit

Lessons

Lesson 1 Signal Words in Expository Text Use signal words (as a result, until, therefore, hence, consequently, for this reason) that show cause-and-effect relationships in expository texts.
Lesson 2 Cause and Effect Relationships in Historical Fiction Identify multiple causes and effects in historical fiction.
Pink and Say
Pink and Say
Lesson 3 Cause and Effect Relationships in Myths Identify cause-and-effect relationships in myths.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears: A West African Tale
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears: A West African Tale

Unit Extension Ideas

  • Students can add signal words to other expository texts, such as newspaper articles or reading passages.
  • Students can write a myth with several causes and one effect, one cause and several effects, or one cause and one effect. The myth can explain anything students choose, such as why modern-day conveniences were invented, the reason that a historical event happened, or why a species of animals is becoming endangered.
  • Students can write a new cause for the given effect in Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema or another familiar myth.
  • Identify historical events in historical fiction that cause something to happen in a plot. Discuss how history affects the characters.

Teacher and Student Materials

More Books for Teaching Cause and Effect

Just So Stories

Just So Stories

Lexile
1060L
The Moon Book

The Moon Book

Fountas and Pinnell
O
Lexile
740L
Martin Luther King, Jr: A Man of Peace

Martin Luther King, Jr: A Man of Peace

Lexile
730L
Let's Read About…Ruby Bridges

Let's Read About…Ruby Bridges

Fountas and Pinnell
H
Lexile
420L
The Story of Ruby Bridges

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Fountas and Pinnell
O
Lexile
730L
Caimans

Caimans

Photocopy sections of the book and have students determine the main idea of each section. Then have students create a title or heading for each section.

User Comments

Absolutely Fantastic! You have made my life less stressful and I can focus on meaningful teaching and learning.

Submitted by palou.maria on 10/25/14

it helps my kids and i just love it

Submitted by tiffany on 5/14/13

I L.O.V.E this website it has helped me alot!

Submitted by kaitlinrussell on 1/9/13

As a new teacher this site has been truly a treasure!!

Submitted by Nola on 1/7/13

I love this web site.....so easy to use.....laid out really well.....

Submitted by Peggy V. Karl on 11/25/12