Activity Overview
Throughout the story, Katniss and the other characters make decisions that cause something else (good or bad) to happen. All actions have consequences and The Hunger Games shows readers how these results might not be predictable. For example, Katniss treats Rue tenderly as she is dying, adding some humanity to the inhumane way in which she dies. As a result, the citizens of Rue’s district honor Katniss’ bravery and defiance against the situation by silently holding up their hands as a way to rebel against the Capitol and show their respect for Katniss and Rue.
Students should choose three instances where a character makes a choice and then show the consequence(s) of that action. For this activity, students should use the T-Chart layout and include both a title and description for each cell. They should then explain the cause and effect of every action in the respective description boxes.
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 The Hunger Games. 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.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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. |
Activity Overview
Throughout the story, Katniss and the other characters make decisions that cause something else (good or bad) to happen. All actions have consequences and The Hunger Games shows readers how these results might not be predictable. For example, Katniss treats Rue tenderly as she is dying, adding some humanity to the inhumane way in which she dies. As a result, the citizens of Rue’s district honor Katniss’ bravery and defiance against the situation by silently holding up their hands as a way to rebel against the Capitol and show their respect for Katniss and Rue.
Students should choose three instances where a character makes a choice and then show the consequence(s) of that action. For this activity, students should use the T-Chart layout and include both a title and description for each cell. They should then explain the cause and effect of every action in the respective description boxes.
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 The Hunger Games. 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.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| 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. |
How Tos about Cause and Effect in The Hunger Games
How to guide students in identifying cause and effect in other novels
Expand learning by applying the cause and effect strategy to different books. Practicing with a variety of stories helps students strengthen their critical thinking skills and recognize patterns in literature.
Select a new novel and review its major events as a class
Pick another engaging book and discuss key plot points together. This ensures students understand the story and are ready to find meaningful cause and effect moments.
Model how to spot a cause and effect relationship in the new story
Demonstrate with a think-aloud as you connect a character’s choice to its outcome. Showing your thought process helps students learn how to approach the task independently.
Guide students to use a T-Chart to record their examples
Encourage students to organize their findings visually by drawing a T-Chart. Have them label one side ‘Cause’ and the other ‘Effect’ to clearly display their thinking.
Facilitate sharing and discussion of different cause and effect pairs
Invite students to present their T-Charts and explain their reasoning. Discussing various perspectives deepens understanding and builds classroom engagement.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cause and Effect in The Hunger Games
What is a cause and effect activity for The Hunger Games?
A cause and effect activity for The Hunger Games asks students to identify actions characters take and the resulting consequences. Using a T-Chart, students show each cause (what happened) and its effect (the outcome), helping them understand how choices drive the story forward.
How can I teach cause and effect to middle school students using The Hunger Games?
To teach cause and effect with The Hunger Games, have students select key character decisions and their outcomes. Ask them to illustrate these pairs in a T-Chart, then write short descriptions explaining how each action led to a specific result. This visual and written approach deepens comprehension.
What are some examples of cause and effect in The Hunger Games?
Examples include Katniss treating Rue kindly (cause), which leads to District 11 honoring her (effect), and Peeta joining the Careers (cause), making Katniss mistrust him (effect). These moments show how characters’ choices impact the plot and relationships.
What is a T-Chart and how do I use it for cause and effect lessons?
A T-Chart is a graphic organizer with two columns: one for causes and one for effects. In a cause and effect lesson, students list an event or action in the left column and the resulting outcome in the right, adding descriptions to explain the connections.
Why is understanding cause and effect important when reading The Hunger Games?
Understanding cause and effect helps students see how characters’ decisions shape the plot and highlight themes like resistance and consequence. It builds critical thinking skills and makes the story more meaningful and memorable.
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