Roanoke: The Lost Colony History Lab Investigation

Historical Mystery Investigation | Primary & Secondary Sources History Lab

QUESTION: What really happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke

In this History Lab investigation, students become history detectives as they examine 7 pieces of historical evidence and try to determine what most likely happened to the Lost Colonists of Roanoke.

And the evidence doesn't all point in the same direction!

Students investigate John White's firsthand account, the mysterious CROATOAN carving, a deadly attack on a colonist, later reports of survivors, scientific evidence of a massive drought, archaeological discoveries on Hatteras Island, and a mysterious symbol recently discovered hidden beneath a patch on one of John White's maps.

As students investigate, they'll consider five competing theories:

• The colonists moved to Croatoan/Hatteras
• They moved inland
• They split into different groups
• Most or all eventually died or were killed
• Another explanation

ANALYZING & SCRUTINIZING EVIDENCE:

For each piece of evidence, students answer Investigator Questions that ask them to analyze clues, consider the reliability and limitations of evidence, corroborate sources, and continually reconsider which theory is best supported.

COMING TO A VERDICT & WRITING AN ARGUMENT

After examining all seven pieces of evidence, students decide what they can confidently conclude, identify what remains unknown, weigh the competing theories, and develop their own Case Verdict supported by historical evidence.

This lesson builds historical thinking skills in a fun way and will get kids loving history early-on in the year!