An important reading skill : cause and effect.

A cause is WHY something happens.
An effect is WHAT happens.
As you read be a detective.  Look for clue       words, such as if,  then,        because, since, and so
Clue words can sometimes signal causes and effects. Read the paragraph below and think about WHAT is happening and WHY it is happening.  Kim woke up early Monday morning because she had so many things to do.  Before going to school she decided to make a list.   If I don't make a list I might forget everything Kim thought.  Since walking the dog is not Kim's job she put that first on her list.  She would have to take Spot for a short walk so she wouldn't be late for school. Next on the list was to pack a lunch because her class was going on a field trip to the zoo and  they wouldn't be able to eat in the cafeteria today.  The last thing on Kim's list was to take her umbrella.   Then if it rained she would stay dry and still be able to see all the animals at the zoo.  This was going to be a great day! CAUSE     (why it happened )                                                        EFFECT (what happened) Kim had many things to do before school. She wanted to remember to do everything. So she wouldn’t be late for school. In case it rained Kim woke up early Monday morning Kim made a list of the things she needed to do She would take Spot for a short walk. Kim had to remember her umbrella.

REMEMBER: A cause is why something happens and an effect is what happens.

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/a/causeandeffectl.cfm