Explain to your students that cause is something that acts on an object, element or person. For example, using an inflated balloon poke it with a sharp pencil. Explain to your students how the pencil is acting against the balloon. The effect is what occurs to the balloon when popped. Explain how the balloon deflates because it was popped.
Do several demonstrations of cause and effect using the balloon method. Show alternative examples of cause and effect to your students. For example, using an egg, show how when pressure is exerted upon it by hitting it against an object, the egg will crack and the egg white and yolk will come out. Allow your students to see the demonstrations before allowing them to try it on their own.
Make a chart on your board and ask students to participate in making a list of cause-and-effect examples. Draw two vertical lines down the board and label one column "object," the next "cause" and the last "effect."
Write an example down for the class. For instance, you could write "glass cup" in the object column, "falls" in the cause column and "breaks" in the effect column. Then ask your students for examples of their own.