Third graders learn to find cause (why something happens) and effect (what happens as a result) in what they read — using signal words like “because” and “so” to connect events and deepen comprehension.
Students will be able to…
It rained, SO the game was canceled. One thing made another thing happen! How do good readers spot the cause and the effect?
Project each item and have students find the cause or the effect. The tool explains how one event leads to another.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
It rained, so the game was canceled — what made what happen?
Teacher models.
Class uses Cause or Effect?
Students find cause and effect.
Students share a pair.
Aligned to the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
Describe the logical connection between sentences (cause/effect, sequence).
Describe how characters’ actions cause events.
Ask and answer questions, referring to the text.
Describe the relationship between events, ideas, or steps.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
As you read together, have families pause and ask “why did that happen?” and “what happened because of it?” A printable cause-and-effect sheet is in the ELA library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.