Explain Causes — Saying Why It Happened
Distinguish. Explain. Synthesize. Say why the evidence points where it points.
The Explain Causes arc trains multilingual learners to move from connected evidence to causal reasoning. Students first distinguish real cause–effect relationships from mere sequence or coincidence, then construct accurate cause–effect sentences with the two core connectors because and so, and finally build several supported pairs into a short evidence-based causal explanation. Since, therefore, as a result and due to are modelled as an optional Level 3–4 stretch only. Explain Causes stops at single-line-of-causation reasoning — full side-by-side analysis (Compare), hedged claims (Qualify) and counter-argument (Argue) are planned pathways, not published arcs.
Learning goal
Students can identify whether two events are causally related or only sequenced, write accurate cause–effect sentences with because and so, and produce a 5–7 sentence evidence-based causal explanation that names one supported cause and one thing the evidence does not prove.
Who it is for
Intermediate ESL/ELD (grades 6–12). Best taught after Connect Ideas, so students already have additive and contrast connectors and can hold multiple pieces of evidence in one paragraph before they layer in causation.
Progression
- EC-01 sorts pairs of events into cause, sequence-only, and coincidence using Check 1 (order) and Check 2 (does the case say how?).
- EC-02 writes the cause–effect sentence with the three core forms: because + clause, so + clause, and because of + noun phrase, and labels each pair confirmed cause, possible cause, sequence only, or coincidence.
- EC-03 builds a 5–7 sentence evidence-based explanation with at least three numbered evidence references, at least two different causal connectors, and at least one relationship that is honestly marked as not confirmed.
- Optional Level 3–4 stretch only: since, therefore, as a result, due to, and the possible-cause label.
What is included
This arc is taught in full online: three student lesson pages with matching practice sets and the arc performance task. Members can download this arc's printable files from My Vault: 53 files in all—slide decks with teacher notes, student packets, teacher guides with answer keys, and the arc assessment or performance task where the arc has one. Each file opens through a short-lived, member-verified link. The same arc is also sold as an editable pack on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Lessons in this arc
- EC-01 · Cause, Effect, or Coincidence? — Students read a short case microtext, take two pairs of events, and run two checks on each pair — Check 1: did the first event happen before the second? Check 2: does the case say how the first event leads to the second? — then label each pair cause, sequence-only, or coincidence.
- EC-02 · Say Why It Happened — Students take the cause pairs they labelled in EC-01, in the same case, and move through controlled → guided → free practice with because and so, checking every sentence against a punctuation card.
- EC-03 · Explain from the Evidence — Students take a mixed case file — two cause pairs and one coincidence — and write a 5–7 sentence explanation that names the cause chain with at least two different causal connectors, cites at least three evidence numbers, and ends with one honest line about what the evidence does not prove.