English settlement at Roanoke
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain why the first colonies under Elizabeth failed.
Key learning points
- American colonies were a great source of wealth for the Spanish who founded gold and silver mines.
- Sir Walter Raleigh tried to persuade Elizabeth I in growing an empire to be able to compete with the Spanish.
- Elizabeth gave permission for colonies in North America such as Roanoke, Virginia.
- Poor relations between colonists and Native Americans contributed to Roanoke's failure.
- The colony of Roanoke disappeared and to this day historians do not know exactly what happened.
Keywords
Colonisation - colonisation is the process of taking control over another country
Courtier - a courtier is an advisor or companion to the king or queen
Rivalry - a rivalry is a situation in which two or more people or groups compete with one another
Colony - a colony is a country or area under the control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country
Spanish Armada - the Spanish Armada was a large group of warships sent by Spain to try and invade England in 1588
Common misconception
Pupils think that England was a comparable colonial power to Spain in the 16th century.
English colonisation attempts began much later than Spain’s, and occurred on a much smaller-scale with less government involvement.
Teacher tip
Students could be asked to add extra detail about the events they plotted in the timeline activity (B) or even consider what might have linked some of the events together (i.e. the Armada and disappearance of colonists at Roanoke).
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Identify the correct definition of a colony.
Q2.True or false? Carracks and caravels were new technologies which assisted European exploration of the world in the 15th century.
Q3.What was the leading cause of death for Native Americans in the 16th century?
Q4.Write the missing word. The was a time of change in European religion, as Christianity split.
Q5.Write the missing word. Relations between Spain and England grew worse in the 16th century after England became a country.
Q6.Identify the example which best demonstrates that Europeans mistreated Native Americans to make money.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the key words with the correct definition.
Q2.True or false? The English colony at Roanoke was founded in an area without a local indigenous population.
Q3.Who organised and funded the English attempts to establish a colony at Roanoke?
Q4.Write the missing word. England hoped to find gold in Roanoke to help it compete with in Europe.
Q5.Identify the two examples of bad timing contributing to the failure of England's colony at Roanoke.
Q6.Sort the events into chronological order.
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: English settlement at Roanoke, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: English settlement at Roanoke, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the European conquest of the Americas: why was its impact so devastating? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.