Cause and Effect in the Cenozoic Era

Turn the Cenozoic Era into a chain of causes and effects with this scaffolded worksheet for grades 5-8. Every big event in the era set off another, and this three-part activity makes students trace those links instead of just memorizing facts.

In Part A, students match five causes to their effects — from an asteroid impact to drifting continents and spreading ice sheets. In Part B, they complete a cause-and-effect chain by filling in two missing links, the reasoning move that asks them to figure out what belongs between two known events. In Part C, they write their own cause-and-effect explanation using the word because.

The activity builds from recognizing a causal link, to sequencing a chain, to expressing causation in writing — keeping students in the analysis lane. A complete answer key with the correct matches and sample written responses is included, and the design stays clean and ink-light.

Covers the mass extinction, the Age of Mammals, mountain building, and ice-age climate change. Aligned to NGSS MS-LS4-1, CCSS RH.6-8.3, and C3 D2.His.14.6-8. Just print and teach.