Ready-to-teach lesson
TUMBLETA | GRADE 4 ELA | REGIONAL STANDARDS EDITION
New York
Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards
LESSON
Following a Chain of Causes
Civil War Recipes
TEACHES
4R5
In literary texts, identify and analyze structural elements, using terms such as verse, rhythm, meter, characters, settings, dialogue, stage directions. (RL) In informational texts, identify the overall structure using terms such as sequence, comparison, cause/effect, and problem/solution. (RI)
WHY THIS EARNS THE STANDARD
Students identify cause-and-effect organization and explain how linking language builds the explanation.
The canonical lesson that follows is unchanged. This cover is an additive curriculum-placement layer.
TumbleTA | Tumbleweed Press Inc. | Corrected build 2026-09-09
TUMBLETA | GRADE 4 ELA | STANDALONE SKILL LESSON
Following a Chain of Causes
Civil War Recipes
20 minutes
OBJECTIVE
Separate an effect from multiple causes and explain how linking language builds a causal chain.
STUDENT PRODUCT
A cause chain with at least three causes leading to one stated effect.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
How does the author explain why supplies ran short?
TEXT FOCUS
An informational explanation in which several conditions contribute to scarcity.
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LESSON SEQUENCE
- 1.Name the effect | 3 min Write the shortage or condition being explained.
- 2.Find causes | 5 min Collect at least three reasons the author gives.
- 3.Order if needed | 4 min Decide whether the causes occur in sequence or work together.
- 4.Build the chain | 6 min Use because, so, therefore, or as a result to connect the ideas.
- 5.Check | 2 min Do not turn an effect into a cause.
TEACHER KEY / EXPECTED THINKING
The author builds scarcity as the result of several connected pressures rather than a single cause, and linking language shows how each reason contributes.
LOOK FOR
- Identifies the stated effect.
- Uses multiple accurate causes.
- Explains how the causes connect to the effect.
TumbleTA | Grade 4 ELA | Canonical standalone skill lesson
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