Last month we enjoyed learning about the American Indians that first inhabited North Carolina. This month we are moving on to the Lost Colony and the early colonial period which will cover through about 1750. This is one of my favorite historical periods and one that we frequently interpret, so my children are already very familiar with the period. I am excited about all of the field trip opportunities for this time period.
Throughout the year we will be working our way through North Carolina History and geography. Each month I will share some resources specific to the topics and time periods we are studying that month. I also have a more comprehensive list of North Carolina history resources that I am continually updating as I find new resources.
*Some of the links in my posts may be affiliate links see below for more information. *
Field Trip Ideas
I would have loved to be able to take a trip back to Roanoke Island but it will not fit into our schedule this month. However, if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend both Fort Raleigh and Roanoke Island Festival Park. For more information you can check out this Field Trip Friday post from a couple of years ago. We do, however, have the opportunity to visit Historic Edenton and we may possibly be able to get to Historic Bath as well.
Next month we have to be near Fort Anderson so we plan to make a late trip over there to wrap up this era. We will also be visiting a local school and our the North Carolina State Fair to do some historical interpreting from the colonial period.
Books and Videos
Last year we did a read aloud of White Doe in the Mist which is a fun fictional story about the Lost Colony. It was a fun book but I do want to note that there is some talk of fictional supernatural experiences and ghosts. We are going to use Tar Heel History on Foot to take a couple of walking tours of local historic areas including Edenton. I also plan to read aloud the applicable parts of Voices From Colonial America: North Carolina.
Our Favorite Story
Both the Lost Colony and Blackbeard can be very fun and engaging ways to begin teaching about this period in North Carolina history. Another fun story is the alligator that was under John Lawson’s house. My children had the privilege of hearing this story as preschoolers from one of their favorite historical interpreters at our local historic site. To this day they talk about that story anytime there hear John Lawson’s name. If you have a high school student you may want to read A New Voyage to the Carolinas by Lawson. He does speak about some mature topics but it provides great coverage of what he found on his voyages here in the Carolinas.
In addition, we will be watching several of the videos below and having them choose an appropriate book or novel to read independently to accompany our study. As we get started on our study, I may decide to go deeper into one area or another based on their interests.
I encourage you to check out some of the wonderful resources I have found below (many of which are free) and tell me in the comments what resources you use to learn about the Lost Colony and the early colonial era. Don’t forget to check back next month for resources on the late colonial period through the beginning of the American Revolution.
North Carolina Lost Colony through Early Colonial Period Resources
Books:
Tar Heel History on Foot (good for multiple months)
New Bern: Tales from the Inner Banks
The Colonist at Roanoke Island
Blackbeard! Secrets From Queen Anne’s Revenge
Voices From Colonial America: North Carolina
Videos:
Tales From Queen Anne’s Revenge
Birth of a Colony: North Carolina
Websites:
NCpedia (An online encyclopedia of all things North Carolina)
Field Trips:
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Recipes:
Colonial Pantries of North Carolina
A Taste of Carolina Colonial Recipes
Colonial Williamsburg Recipes (not North Carolina but the proximity means the food would have been similar)
Resource Library and Affiliate Disclosure
When you sign up for the Schoolin’ Swag free resource library you will get a link and password to the library, we are adding to the library each month with new items. You will also get a bi-weekly newsletter email to keep you up to date on what we have going on.
This post may contain affiliate or referral links, including Amazon affiliate links. As always I will never recommend a product that I don’t believe in and you will never be charged more for purchasing through our links. It does help pay for the costs associated with the blog.
Deals and Freebies
As we enter into the fall season and return to our routines it often feels much like a new year and a chance to start over. What are you doing to get/stay healthy? I am trying to drink more water and take daily walks.
Free Makeover Your Morning 5 Day Challenge! This is a great way to help re-focus and get your day off on the right foot.
Harry The Happy Mouse (Free on Kindle)
Illustrated Would You Rather Book (Free on Kindle)
Free Help Your Child’s Memory Book from All About Learning Press!