The idea of cause and effect is a great lesson to teach elementary students during small group reading instruction. In every story that you read, you will see one act causing a reaction of some sort. This is the cause and effect relationship that students can learn to identify through some direct instruction.
Defining Cause and Effect
Students will also learn about cause and effect during science class as every experiment will demonstrate this relationship. To introduce this concept to students, discuss an experiment that you recently demonstrated during science class. On a piece of paper, draw or write the cause and then ask the students what happened, and write or draw the effect. Label each category. Continue to get examples of the cause effect relationship from students, providing guidance as needed.
Extending New Knowledge to Current Book
Once students understand what the cause effect relationship is, have them identify an example in the story they are currently reading. If necessary, you can guide students to find examples in the story by giving one of your own examples. Students must not use the same example you give, though. After students have practiced this activity and found several examples of the cause effect relationship in their current book, you will be able to extend the activity to independent practice.
Independent Practice with Cause and Effect
You can assign a new book or story for students to read. After reading the story, students should be required to list at least 3 cause effect examples. More examples can count towards extra credit if you like, or you can modify the assignment to finding one or two examples for students who have a reading disability.
To extend student understanding of cause and effect past identification of examples, you can have them take the examples you came up with together, and rewrite the story. If, for example, the cause was that the dog was hungry and the effect was that the dog ate the Thanksgiving turkey off of the table, have students either change the cause or the effect. For example, have students come up with a different effect given the same cause. Students can also think through what the different effect would be if the cause was different.
When writing your small group reading lessons, remember to keep in mind the goal of expanding student thinking and having them understand each concept further than simple identification. When students are able to manipulate their knowledge, they are more likely to remember it. Teach the cause and effect concept the same way, and you will have a jumping off spot for conversations about proper interaction with peers and other disciplinary action.
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