Learning About Relationships
Like people, word, phrases, sentences can be related in some kind of way. Learn about four relationships.
PROBLEM/SOLUTION: For every problem there is a solution or a way to solve the problem. Some solutions are effective and work and other solutions are not effective and don’t work. Often times when reading, we come across characters who have problems and find solutions to solve those problems. Some of those solutions seemed to work well and others do not. Informational texts also contain examples of problems and solutions. Can you think of a recent story or article you have read and how the main character went about solving his/her problem? Below are some sample problems and solutions. Can you think of two more examples of problems and solutions?Problem / Solution
Can’t keep up with what is going on in the world. / Start listening to the current events on the news.
Am gaining weight. / Cut down on eating and began exercising.
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CAUSE/EFFECT: Every action is brought about by some kind of stimulus or cue. For example, if I sneeze loudly in the office, a person might say “Bless you.” This is called cause and effect. Every effect is brought about by a cause. So the cause happens first and the effect is the result of the cause. Some cause and effects are desirable and others are not. Stories we read have many examples of cause and effect. For example, when Little Red Riding Hood varied from the path, she got lost in the woods and met the wolf. The varying from the path is the cause and getting lost and meeting the wolf are the effects. Informational texts can also contain examples of causes and effects. Can you think of a recent story or article you have read that contained cause and effect relationships? Below are some sample cause/effect relationships. Can you think of two more examples of causes and effects?
Cause / Effect
Larry threw a rock towards the old building. / The rock went through a window.
Ann did not keep track of time when she was baking a cake. / The cake was overdone.
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WHOLE/PART: Whole things are usually made from parts. For example, a car is made from many parts such as a motor, the auto body, the axis, etc. Another example would be a pizza that can be made of individual slices. The parts of a suit include a jacket, pants and possibly a vest. Can you think of a recent story or article you have read that contains examples of whole/part relationships? Below are some sample whole/part relationships. Can you think of more examples of whole/part relationships?
Whole / Part
United States / Missouri
Window / Frame
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CATEGORY/ITEM: Categories contain individual items. A category is a broad group and an item is an individual thing that fits into the category. For example, metal is a category and tin is an item that fits into the category of metal. Fruit is a category and an apple would be an item in the category. Vegetable is a category and carrot is an item that fits into the category. Can you think of a recent story or article you have read that contains examples of category/item relationships? Below are some sample category/item relationships. Can you think of two more examples of categories and items?
Category / Item
Car / Ford Focus
Clothing / Dress
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Please Note: The relationships addressed in this lesson exist in both literature and informational text. . It is not unusual for informational text to use a problem/solution structure or a cause/effect structure.