A cause is WHY something happens. An effect is WHAT happens because of it. They always come in pairs.

Detective Strategy: Find the effect, then ask "Why did that happen?" The answer is the cause. Signal words help: because, so, since, as a result, that is why.

Everyday examples first: I forgot my umbrella (cause), so I got soaked (effect). Practice flipping: "The lights went out" — why? "Because the storm knocked down a power line."

Model with informational text, thinking aloud:

Louisiana's Natural Shield

Louisiana's wetlands act like a giant sponge. Because wetland plants and mud soak up extra water, floods near the coast are smaller than they would be. The wetlands also slow down strong winds coming off the Gulf, so towns behind them get more protection during storms. Since so many fish and shrimp begin their lives in wetland waters, Louisiana's fishing families depend on healthy wetlands too.

Model: "I see the signal word because: plants soak up water is the CAUSE, smaller floods is the EFFECT. Each sentence in this text is a cause and effect pair, and the signal words are my flashlight."

Watch for the classic error: thinking the cause always comes first in the sentence. "Floods are smaller BECAUSE wetlands soak up water" puts the effect first. The signal word marks the cause, not the order.