Book Study: The Great Fire: What Went Wrong?

When students finish reading Jim Murphy’s The Great Fire, help them think about cause and effect with this graphic organizer! Readers will identify six errors contributing to the out-of-control blaze that destroyed Chicago in 1871. Then, students are invited to choose one error they believe is the most significant and explain in a short paragraph why it caused the biggest impact on the fire, supporting their opinion with text evidence. Designed for fifth- and sixth-grade readers, this one-page extension activity is a great way to help learners closely read the text and deeply think about cause and effect. For more worksheets related to The Great Fire, be sure to check out the full set of book study resources!