Mystery of Roanoke Digital ELA PBL Unit

This NO-Prep/digital 5E Project-based learning activity will incorporate essential reading and writing skills such as close reading, inference, character traits, main idea, graphics, opinion writing, and much more! Through inquiry, this interactive and engaging PBL will allow students to explore the causes and possible explanations of what happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Students will be able to read 1st hand historical fiction witness statements, navigate a “crime scene” Webquest, explore an archeological dig through a scavenger hunt, create a crime board and write a detective report. 5E lesson plans are included to make planning easier! The plans have mini questions, discussion suggestions, and linked videos to build interest. 

So allow your students to step back into time, put on their detective hats and enjoy exploring this cold case mystery!

This PBL would be great for grades 4-6. It takes 1-2 weeks to complete depending on how you customize it for your class.

In this 42-page PDF and Google slides Activity, you will find: 

1. Table of Contents and KWL chart
   
   
2. Detective Character Trait Activity
   
   
3. Background Information: From the perspective of John While (Lexile Level: 960)
   
   
4. Crime Scene Map with hidden videos and web page information
   
   
5. Detective Logs: Guided questions for students to record information and keep them on track.
   
   
6. Suspects: 3 historical fiction “suspects” have been provided. 
   1. Wanchese Native American (Lexile Level 950)
   2. Queen Elizabeth (Lexile Level 920)
   3. Researchers (Lexile Level 1030)
   4. *NOTE all three passages include comprehension and skilled reading questions.
      
      

7. Detective Report: Students process and write a final report of their findings using the information provided.

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