Lesson Plan - The Lost Colony

Watch the Video

Build background knowledge about Roanoke and other history mysteries by watching the video “The World’s Most Mysterious Places.” Discuss: Which mystery do you find most intriguing? Why?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• archaeologist
• skeptical

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them identify some of the challenges the Roanoke colonists faced.

1. Based on the article, why did many Native people around Roanoke Island not trust English people?
Many Native people around Roanoke Island did not trust English people because one Native tribe had been attacked by an earlier group of English explorers. 
_{(RI.4.5 Cause/Effect)}

2. Summarize the main ideas of the section “Without a Trace.”
The section “Without a Trace” is about the mysterious disappearance of the Roanoke colonists. The colonists were in need of supplies. John White sailed back to England to get some, but when he returned to Roanoke, the villagers were gone. The only clue was the word CROATOAN carved into a post. 
_{(RI.4.2 Summarizing)}

3. Why does researcher Scott Dawson believe the discovery of hammer scale on Hatteras Island is significant?
Researcher Scott Dawson believes the discovery of hammer scale on Hatteras Island is significant because hammer scale comes from blacksmithing. Native people in that area did not know how to blacksmith, but the colonists did.
_{(RI.4.2 Main Idea and Key Details)}

FEATURED SKILL: Text Evidence

Distribute the skill builder “Find the Clues” and have students use evidence from the article to support or refute the series of claims. 
_{(RI.4.1 Text Evidence)}