The Disappearing Colony

Introduction

The year is 1590. John White has finally returned to Roanoke Island after three years in England, but the entire colony including his granddaughter, Virginia Dare is gone. The only clue is a single word carved into a wooden post: CROATOAN

Your task, as a Lead Investigative Journalist for The Colonial Times, is to examine the evidence, weigh the theories, and file a final report on this 400-year-old mystery.

Task

You will work in "Investigative Teams" to:

Research three major theories about the disappearance.

Evaluate the credibility of your sources.

Draft a "Special Edition" front-page news article or a script for a "Breaking News" video report explaining your conclusion.

Process

Step 1: Gather the Facts

Visit the "Evidence Locker" (trusted websites like National Geographic Kids, The Smithsonian, or History.com) to answer these questions:

  • Who were the main people involved in the colony?

  • What were the conditions like when John White left?

  • What did he find when he returned?

Step 2: Analyze the Theories

Investigate these three possibilities:

  • Theory A: The colonists moved to live with the Croatan tribe.

  • Theory B: The colonists were attacked by Spanish explorers or local tribes.

  • Theory C: The colonists attempted to sail back to England and were lost at sea.

Step 3: File Your Report

Create your final project. Your report must include:

  • The Lead: A catchy headline and an introduction to the mystery.

  • The Evidence: At least two pieces of factual evidence supporting your chosen theory.

  • The Counter-Argument: Why do you think the other theories are less likely?

  • A Map or Visual: A drawing or digital image showing the location and the "CROATOAN" clue.

Evaluation

Your report will be judged on:

Evidence: Did you use specific facts from your research?

Organization: Is your writing clear and easy to follow?

Voice: Do you sound like a professional journalist?

Mechanics: Are your spelling and grammar "print-ready"?

Conclusion

Now that you’ve combed through the evidence, you must write a report explaining your conclusion regarding the fate of the Roanoke Colony. You are trying to convince the readers of The Colonial Times that your theory is the most logical explanation for what happened.

To ensure your report is "front-page ready," follow this structure:

  1. The Headline: Create a bold, attention-grabbing title 

  2. The Introduction (The Lead): Briefly explain the mystery. Who went missing? When? What was the only clue left behind?

  3. The Claim: State clearly what you believe happened to the colonists.

  4. Supporting Evidence: Provide at least two facts from your research that support your claim

  5. The Counter-Argument: Mention one other theory and explain why the evidence for it isn't as strong as yours.

  6. The Verdict: End with a final, powerful sentence about why this mystery still haunts us today.

Teacher Page

If you solve the mystery, you win a time-traveler's certificate, and 10 minutes of extra recess.