Cause and Effect in "Kenya’s Long Dry Season"

In this activity, students will identify cause and effect relationships by answering the some of the following or similar questions:

• What effects did the the drought cause?
• What happened because there was a drought?
• What did people do because there was a drought?
• What changes happened?

Students will create a grid storyboard to organize their thoughts on the numerous impacts of the drought on the environment and community. See the storyboard above for an example.

Cause

Severe drought in Kenya.

Effects

• “The East African nation's grasslands are dried out. Bare, leafless trees dot the landscape. Watering holes are almost dry.”
• "The drought has caused cattle to die and crops to shrivel. This year's grain harvest is expected to be 28% less than last year's."
• "Food prices have risen by as much as 130%."
• “The WFP is working to keep kids in school, where it provides them with nutritious meals."

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows cause and effect relationships in "Kenya’s Long Dry Season". Each cause and effect pair will be shown in the same row.

1. On the left side of the T-Chart, illustrate events that show cause (why).
2. On the right side of the T-Chart, illustrate events that are the direct effect of that cause.
3. Write a description below each cause.
4. In the description under each effect, show how the cause and effect are related.