Mini-Lesson

1. Start a discussion about cause-effect relationships. Remind students that a cause is the reason something happens, and an effect is what happens as a result.

2. Pass out copies of the Cause-and-Effect Chart. In the first Cause box, have students write, I ate three pieces of birthday cake. Then, discuss possible effects. (Examples include: There wasn't enough for everybody else; I got a stomachache. ) In the second Effect box, have students write, I wasn't able to get into the house. Then, have them come up with possible causes. (Examples include: I lost my keys; Nobody was there to answer the door.)

3. Next, pass out copies of the timeforkids.com news story, Iowa Under Water