Students work in groups to "survive" on separate islands in a class simulation. The object of the game is to group problem solve and to get rescued.

Teachers can create a game for students reading William Golding’s, Lord of the Flies [Perigee Books, 1954].

Students need to read the novel, Lord of the Flies as they play the game and complete survival research before the games begin.

The object of the game is to work together as a team and to solve problems as they arise. After teams have completed group assignments and have solved several problems, a ship should appear in the distance. It will be too far for the team to swim, and the ship will not be able to see individuals on the beach. How will the group work together to get rescued with what they have on the island?

Begin the Lord of the Flies Game

Students will be randomly placed in groups and try to “survive” on an island, just as the characters in the novel. Each island is different and will have positive and negative attributes. Supplies will be given randomly from a grab bag. Supplies would wash ashore on a beach in reality. Items such as a suitcase, a cooking pot, a knife, a hairbrush, water proof matches, etc could be included in the bag. Each group could receive three random items from the bag.

The only things students get to bring with them are the clothes they are wearing and the research they complete before they “leave.” A list of items they have with them the day the game begins should be written as a list and put in the team folder.

Example Islands for Groups to "Live" on While Playing Game

All islands are hot, tropical islands on the equator and are about 5-20 miles from each other. The islands all have the same basic items:

• palm trees with coconuts
• wild boar
• fresh water stream
• sea life

Island 1

This is the largest of the islands, but it is also the most susceptible to bad weather, as the winds come from the west. It has inactive volcano on it as well.

Island 2

Of all the islands, this one is considered “paradise.” The only “problem” is that other people inhabit this island already, and it is the smallest.

Island 3

This is the medium size island and has a wonderful lagoon. It also has a swampy area with poisonous spiders and snakes.

Playing the Lord of the Flies "Surviving" Game During Class Time

Certain days should be designated as “island days. " All items used by the group will stay in the room in a folder in a designated place.

Problems can be placed in a bag. Each time the group members meet, they can deal with a different problem on the island. Example problems:

• Snake bite
• Broken arm
• Other inhabitants steal food
• Hut leaks and collapses
• No fish able to be caught
• Hurricane
• All of the firewood is wet

Work the Team Needs to Complete to "Survive" on the Island

Create the following as a group and keep in a folder:

• Map(shelter, streams, waste area, beaches where members will fish, etc.)
• Government (students will need to create one)
• Hunting and gathering techniques
• Model of living site
• Waste management program
• Plans to deal with problems as they arise and actions of the group when a problem is presented
• Defined roles for each member of the group

Grading Rubric

The class will make a rubric after the first week. Each of the items that go in the folder needs to count in the Lord of the Flies "Surviving "Game. The goal is to problem solve and to survive until the team is rescued.