Understanding text structure can improve students’ comprehension of the text. Examples of informational text structures include compare/contrast, chronological, cause/effect, and problem/solution. In this activity, students will identify the cause and effect relationships in the text.
Note: teachers may want to explore T-Chart writing before beginning this activity.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard illustrating cause and effect relationships in Flight to Freedom.
Encourage students to work in small groups to discuss and identify cause and effect relationships. This collaborative approach helps students share different perspectives and deepen their understanding of the text.
Choose a short passage from Flight to Freedom and think aloud as you identify causes and effects. Demonstrating your thought process guides students in how to break down complex information.
Give each group a different event, law, or action from the text. Have them identify the direct and indirect effects using evidence from the reading, which encourages focused analysis.
Allow groups to present their cause and effect analysis to the class. This step builds confidence and allows all students to learn from a variety of examples and interpretations.
Wrap up by leading a discussion that connects the various cause and effect relationships found. Emphasize patterns and encourage students to reflect on how understanding these links improves comprehension.
A cause and effect relationship in 'Flight to Freedom' shows how one event or action (the cause) leads to a specific outcome (the effect). For example, harsh laws made the Underground Railroad illegal, which caused agents to use secret stations to help people escape.
To teach cause and effect using the Underground Railroad, have students identify key events or laws and the resulting changes for people involved. Using T-Charts or storyboards helps students visually organize causes and effects from the historical context.
Examples include: Cause: The Fugitive Slave Law was passed. Effect: More slaves escaped using the Underground Railroad. Cause: Many escaped slaves faced poverty in the North. Effect: Canadians helped them build new lives.
Understanding cause and effect helps students see how historical events are connected, making it easier to comprehend complex stories like the Underground Railroad. It boosts critical thinking and reading comprehension.
The best way is to use a T-Chart or storyboard: list the event or action in one column and its effect in the other. Add simple illustrations to show each step. This visual approach makes connections clear for students.