Mini-Lesson

Cause and Effect

Mini-Lesson: Grades 4-6

Objective: Students will identify the effects of Hurricane Ike.

1. Have students create a cause and effect chart after reading and discussing the timeforkids.com news story, Hurricane Ike Slams Texas. (Note: Students will only need to use one "cause" box on this chart.) Model making your own cause-and-effect chart for the class. Ask: What belongs in the "cause" box? The answer is Hurricane Ike.

Next, ask students to identify the effects of Hurricane Ike. Examples include people had to evacuate Houston, some people were ordered to stay put and people stocked up on food and water. Complete the chart with other examples from the article.

Extend the Learning Encourage students to think beyond the story. Ask: What do you think might be some of the long-term effects of Hurricane Ike? Have students create a news story that might appear on timeforkids.com one year, one month or one year after Hurricane Ike.