Activity Overview
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.
Example 1
- Cause: "Drastic laws made the Road illegal in the north."
- Effect: Agents put "God’s law" above the law of the land; they believed in "universal freedom for mankind" so they created "stations" in an abandoned barns.
Example 2
- Cause: The second Fugitive Slave law was passed in 1850.
- Effect: The District of Columbia alone complained that in this period the number of its slaves had been reduced from 4694 to 640 by "underground railroads and felonious abductions."
Example 3
- Cause: "Unaccustomed to making their own way, unused to the rigors of northern climate, many of them met poverty and disease."
- Effect: "The Canadians, however, did much to help them; they were willing to absorb the fugitives into their national life, to share their work, and to give them aid in establishing farms."
Note: teachers may want to explore T-Chart writing before beginning this 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 illustrating cause and effect relationships in Flight to Freedom.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, identify an event, legislation, or action taken during the time of the Civil War and the Underground Railroad.
- In the second column, describe the effects of that event, legislation, or action.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
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
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.
Example 1
- Cause: "Drastic laws made the Road illegal in the north."
- Effect: Agents put "God’s law" above the law of the land; they believed in "universal freedom for mankind" so they created "stations" in an abandoned barns.
Example 2
- Cause: The second Fugitive Slave law was passed in 1850.
- Effect: The District of Columbia alone complained that in this period the number of its slaves had been reduced from 4694 to 640 by "underground railroads and felonious abductions."
Example 3
- Cause: "Unaccustomed to making their own way, unused to the rigors of northern climate, many of them met poverty and disease."
- Effect: "The Canadians, however, did much to help them; they were willing to absorb the fugitives into their national life, to share their work, and to give them aid in establishing farms."
Note: teachers may want to explore T-Chart writing before beginning this 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 illustrating cause and effect relationships in Flight to Freedom.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- In the first column, identify an event, legislation, or action taken during the time of the Civil War and the Underground Railroad.
- In the second column, describe the effects of that event, legislation, or action.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, items, and characters.
- Save and exit when you're done.
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 Flight to Freedom
Integrate Cause and Effect Discussions in Small Groups
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.
Model Analyzing a Passage Together
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.
Assign Each Group a Specific Event to Analyze
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.
Facilitate Group Presentations to Share Findings
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.
Use a Whole-Class Reflection to Synthesize Learning
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cause and Effect in Flight to Freedom
What is a cause and effect relationship in 'Flight to Freedom'?
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.
How can I teach cause and effect using the Underground Railroad?
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.
What are some examples of cause and effect in the Underground Railroad?
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.
Why is understanding cause and effect important for students reading historical texts?
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.
What is the best way to create a cause and effect storyboard for 'Flight to Freedom'?
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.
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