Wendy Taboada November 15, 2019

Houston Baptist University

Department of Education
Lesson Plan Format
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Subject: Reading Grade Level: 4th Grade Time Estimate: 60 minutes

Unit: Text Structure Topic: Cause-and-Effect

TEKS: 4.10.B explain how the use of text structure contributes to the author's purpose

Content Objective: TLW identify cause-and-effect text structure.

TLW explain how text structure helps comprehension.

Language Objective: TLW identify and discuss text structure clues within the text.

Materials/Resources/Technology needs:
1. myBook text: The Battle of the Alamo
2. Anchor Chart: Text Structure
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Instructional Procedures
Focusing Event:
Show Anchor Chart: Text Structure
Tell students that nonfiction texts can be organized in a variety of ways to help
authors best get across their messages to readers. Use the Anchor Chart to talk about the
following text structures with students:
Authors use a cause-and-effect text structure to explain what happened and why it
happened. When an author’s purpose is to describe events and provide reasons for why
those events happened, this text structure works well. Point out to students that authors
use text clues to help readers understand the text structure. Explain that in a cause-and-
effect text structure, authors often use transition words such as because, so, in order to,
then, and as a result. Discuss with students how identifying text structure can help them
better understand a text. Tell them they will practice identifying clues to text structure in
The Battle of the Alamo.

Teaching/ Learning Procedures:

Guide students to apply the Text Structure skill to The Battle of the Alamo and
to find evidence to support their responses. Have students reread myBook paragraph 5,
looking for effects of events in this paragraph. (The effect of Santa Anna’s thoughts on the
constitution: Because he thinks the constitution is weakening Mexico, he makes his own
laws. The effect of new laws: Most people go along with the new laws.)
Read aloud the questions on Teaching Pal page 293 while students use text evidence to
find cause-and-effect text structure examples in paragraph 22. (When Santa Anna raises a
red flag, it causes Travis to vow never to surrender.)
Have students tell how recognizing cause-and-effect text structure helps them better
understand the text. (When I determine the effect of an action, I can better understand
Wendy Taboada November 15, 2019
how the events impacted others.) Then read the questions on Teaching Pal page 298.
Have students find examples of cause-and-effect text structure in paragraphs 42–44.

Formative Check(ongoing or specific):

BEGINNING
Read paragraph 53. In a cause-and-effect diagram, show students the
cause (Santa Anna’s decision) and the effect (more soldiers died).
INTERMEDIATE
In a cause-and-effect diagram, have students identify the cause (Santa
Anna’s decision) and the effect (more soldiers died) in paragraph 53.
ADVANCED/ADVANCED HIGH
Have partners complete a cause-and-effect diagram for paragraph 53.
Discuss text clues that help them understand the text structure.

Assessment/Summative Evaluation:
Have students Think-Pair-Share the following questions:
1. What is the effect of Santa Anna’s thoughts about the constitution?
2. What is the effect of these new laws?
3. What happens when William Travis sees Santa Anna and the red flag he raises?
4. How does recognizing the cause-and-effect text structure of this event help you
better understand the narrative?
5. What is the effect of Travis drawing a line in the sand with his sword?