What is Cause and Effect?

3rd Grade30 minutesWIDA 2020 Standards

Learning Objective

I can explain how one event can cause another event to happen.

Key Concepts

A cause is why something happens, and an effect is the result of that cause.

Words that signal cause include because, since, and due to.

Words that signal effect include so, therefore, and consequently.

Practice Questions

This lesson includes 3 practice questions to reinforce learning.

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1. Imagine you are building a Rube Goldberg machine. You want to use a rolling ball to knock over a tower of blocks. What could be the cause that makes the ball start rolling?

2. Read the sentence: 'The dog barked loudly, so the baby woke up.' Which word signals a cause-and-effect relationship in this sentence?

3. Think about a time you felt happy. What was the cause of your happiness? Describe the event and explain why it made you feel that way.

Educational Video

What language shows cause and effect? | Reading | Khan Academy

Khan Academy

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