Causation: Alphonse the Camel
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY / LESSON 2.2 ACTIVITY CAUSATION: ALPHONSE THE CAMEL1Unless otherwise noted, this work is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Credit: “Causation: Alphonse the Camel”, OER Project, https://www.oerproject.com/PurposeCausation is an important skill that historians use to determine what caused events to take place. Build your causation skills through analyzing a fictional story about a camel named Alphonse.Process 1.Start by reading or listening to the “Alphonse the Camel” story. As you read or listen, highlight or underline anything that you think may have caused Alphonse’s death. In the box below, write down what you think was the most important cause.2.Next, create a visual timeline of events. You can do this by cutting out the Cause Cards (on page 3) or using Google Slides or Microsoft PowerPoint. Arrange the cards in a line, starting with those that happened closest in time to Alphonse’s death and ending with those that happened furthest from his death.3.After you’ve created a timeline of Alphonse’s death with the Cause Cards, divide the causes of Alphonse’s death into three categories: short term, intermediate term, and long term.4.Complete the following portions of the Causation Tool (on page 4): write the event details, categorize the causes, and label the triggering event.5.Answer the following questions:•What caused Alphonse’s death?
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY / LESSON 2.2 ACTIVITY CAUSATION: ALPHONSE THE CAMEL2•Which causes were most important? Why? •Which causes were least important? Why?6.Share your responses with a partner or friend to see if you categorized the causes similarly.
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY / LESSON 2.2 ACTIVITY CAUSATION: ALPHONSE THE CAMEL3Cause CardsDuring his breaks, Alphonse would show off how much he could carry.Many camels died over several weeks.Frank overloaded Alphonse for another trip up the mountain.Frank tossed one last piece of straw onto Alphonse’s back.Alphonse had an evil, exploitative owner named Frank.Frank had a long history of overloading camels and taking them on unnecessary trips. Frank’s customers didn’t mind his ruthless treatment of camels. Alphonse was a proud camel and would act tough in front of his friends. Alphonse was born with a back defect.Frank was kicked in the rear by a camel as a child.Frank’s customers didn’t care about his frequent violations of camels’ rights.(blank)Add your own ideas about what you think caused Alphonse’s death!
OER PROJECT: BIG HISTORY / LESSON 2.2 ACTIVITY CAUSATION: ALPHONSE THE CAMEL4Causation Tool1.Add the event you are analyzing and corresponding information. Then, if your teacher asks you to create a causal map, use your answers here to help construct that causal representation.EventDatesLocationBrief description2.List your causes and use the legend to help you label type and role.Causes: Long-termIntermediate-termShort-term3.List the effects of the event and use the legend to help you label type and role.EffectsLegendTypeRole(P) Political (I) Innovation ($) Economic (C) Cultural (E) Environmental (S) Social() Triggering event—the most immediate cause of an eventNecessary Relevant