Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Cause & Effect: Storyboard That Lesson Plan

Q: What is a cause and effect T-Chart for 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi'?

A cause and effect T-Chart for 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi' is a two-column graphic organizer where the left side lists causes (why something happens) from the story, and the right side lists their direct effects. This helps students visually connect events and understand plot development.

Q: How can I teach cause and effect using 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi'?

To teach cause and effect with 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi', have students select scenes, illustrate each cause and its effect using a T-Chart, and write brief descriptions. This encourages comprehension by linking character actions to story outcomes.

Q: What are examples of cause and effect in 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi'?

One example: Teddy's parents treat Rikki-tikki kindly (cause), so Rikki-tikki becomes protective of the family (effect). Another: When Rikki-tikki defeats Nagaina, the garden animals feel safe again.

Q: Why is understanding cause and effect important in reading comprehension?

Understanding cause and effect helps students follow the logic of a story, see how character choices drive the plot, and improves critical thinking and comprehension skills in literature.

Q: What does a T-Chart look like for a classroom activity?

A T-Chart is a simple table with two columns labeled 'Cause' and 'Effect.' Students write or illustrate events under each heading, making it easy to organize and visualize relationships in the story.

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Lesson Plan Overview

Template and Class Instructions

Student Rubric

Lesson Plan Overview

When students read a short story like "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi", they should look for why things happen; this is the core of cause and effect. Have students choose two scenes from the story, to illustrate and describe why one thing caused another to happen. For example, Teddy’s mother and father treat Rikki-tikki like a family member, and so Rikki-tikki becomes very protective of the family.

What would be different if a character had chosen to do something differently?

Note: teachers may want to answer the question, What does a T-Chart look like? before beginning this assignment.

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Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows cause and effect relationships in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi". Each cause and effect pair will be shown in the same row.

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

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Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group

Type of Activity: Cause and Effect within Plot

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Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Cause and Effect T-Chart

Create a T-Chart storyboard that shows cause and effect relationships in the story. Each cause and effect pair will be shown in the same row.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Cause	All events on the left side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as causes. These events are why something else happened.	Most events on the left side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as causes or why something else happened.	Few or no events on the left side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as causes or why something else happened.
Effect	All events on the right side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as effects. These events are direct results of something else.	Most events on the right side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as effects or direct results of something else.	Few or no events on the right side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as effects or direct results of something else.
Images	Images clearly show the events in the story that have been identified as causes and effects.	Images show events from the story, but not all images match the cause and effect events.	Images do not represent the story or are missing.
Cause and Effect Relationship	All rows correctly show cause events in the story having a direct effect on the effect events.	Most rows correctly show cause events in the story having a direct effect on the effect events.	Few or no rows correctly show cause events in the story having a direct effect on the effect events.

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Lesson Plan Overview

What would be different if a character had chosen to do something differently?

Note: teachers may want to answer the question, What does a T-Chart look like? before beginning this assignment.

Copy Activity

Template and Class Instructions

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows cause and effect relationships in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi". Each cause and effect pair will be shown in the same row.

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

More options

Copy This Storyboard

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 2 (Reinforcing / Developing)

Type of Assignment Individual, Partner, or Group

Type of Activity: Cause and Effect within Plot

Copy Activity

Student Rubric

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)

Cause and Effect T-Chart

Create a T-Chart storyboard that shows cause and effect relationships in the story. Each cause and effect pair will be shown in the same row.

	Proficient	Emerging	Beginning
Cause	All events on the left side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as causes. These events are why something else happened.	Most events on the left side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as causes or why something else happened.	Few or no events on the left side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as causes or why something else happened.
Effect	All events on the right side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as effects. These events are direct results of something else.	Most events on the right side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as effects or direct results of something else.	Few or no events on the right side of the T-Chart are correctly identified as effects or direct results of something else.
Images	Images clearly show the events in the story that have been identified as causes and effects.	Images show events from the story, but not all images match the cause and effect events.	Images do not represent the story or are missing.
Cause and Effect Relationship	All rows correctly show cause events in the story having a direct effect on the effect events.	Most rows correctly show cause events in the story having a direct effect on the effect events.	Few or no rows correctly show cause events in the story having a direct effect on the effect events.

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How Tos about Cause and Effect in \"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi\"

Plan a class discussion using cause and effect questions

Engage students by preparing a list of open-ended, cause and effect questions about key moments in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi". These questions encourage students to analyze character decisions and their impacts, helping them think critically about the text.

Model how to ask and answer cause and effect questions

Demonstrate for students how to formulate a cause and effect question (e.g., "What caused Rikki-tikki to attack Nagaina?") and how to answer it using evidence from the story. This scaffolding builds their confidence and understanding.

Facilitate small group sharing of ideas

Organize students into small groups or pairs and assign each group a different cause and effect scenario from the story. Encourage them to discuss their reasoning and share examples, fostering collaboration and deeper comprehension.

Encourage students to predict alternate outcomes

Ask students to consider what might have happened if a character made a different choice. This exercise develops critical thinking and helps students see the importance of cause and effect in plot development.

Wrap up with a reflective writing activity

Have students write a short paragraph reflecting on how understanding cause and effect helps them better understand stories. This reflection consolidates learning and encourages metacognition.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cause and Effect in \"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi\"

What is a cause and effect T-Chart for 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi'?

A cause and effect T-Chart for 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi' is a two-column graphic organizer where the left side lists causes (why something happens) from the story, and the right side lists their direct effects. This helps students visually connect events and understand plot development.

How can I teach cause and effect using 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi'?

To teach cause and effect with 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi', have students select scenes, illustrate each cause and its effect using a T-Chart, and write brief descriptions. This encourages comprehension by linking character actions to story outcomes.

What are examples of cause and effect in 'Rikki-Tikki-Tavi'?

One example: Teddy's parents treat Rikki-tikki kindly (cause), so Rikki-tikki becomes protective of the family (effect). Another: When Rikki-tikki defeats Nagaina, the garden animals feel safe again.

Why is understanding cause and effect important in reading comprehension?

Understanding cause and effect helps students follow the logic of a story, see how character choices drive the plot, and improves critical thinking and comprehension skills in literature.

What does a T-Chart look like for a classroom activity?

A T-Chart is a simple table with two columns labeled 'Cause' and 'Effect.' Students write or illustrate events under each heading, making it easy to organize and visualize relationships in the story.