Each small group was given information on one theory to read and dissect. They were expected to become experts on their theory and prepare to teach the information to a different group tomorrow.
It was exciting to see the students hard at work. They were tackling many skills while working on this task, reading, inferring, annotating, discussing, collaborating and questioning.
We will continue this activity tomorrow. Students will have to share their expertise with new group members. Once all of the information has been shared out, the history detectives will have to form an opinion about what happened to the colonists of Roanoke and use evidence to support their opinion in a written report.
This activity was based on a lesson that I purchased from the teachers pay teachers website. See the link below.