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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.