The Lord of the Flies Survival Game additional resources gives teachers more details and tips on how to make the game a success in the classroom. Students will focus on problem solving by working in cooperative or collaborative groups.
Students who read William Golding's Lord of the Flies can participate in simulations of survival on an island, just like the characters when they play the survival game. The "Survival Game" activity places students into groups and then each group is given tasks complete and problems to solve when the groups work together.
Survival Game Materials
When students "arrive" on the island after the plane crash, they need to make a list of the items they are wearing or have on their person. Then, each time the teacher has an "Island Day" student can receive new items.
Teachers can give one to three new items to students each time they meet for the Island Day. Also, teachers can take the items away due to disasters. These items that "wash up on shore" can be written on note cards or small pieces of paper. The items should be randomly given out in a bowl or bag.
Students need to keep focused on the fact that they need to eat, drink, and sleep in a safe place. They have to use what they have to do these three activities. In addition, they need to get rescued. How will they get a plane's or ship's attention?
Items to Wash up on Shore
Additional items that can "wash" up on the shore are as follows:
- a piece of rope
- a pan, cup, plate, plastic utensils, chopping knife or tray
- a bucket
- a blanket, pillow or sheet
- metal parts of the plane body
- a bag of cookies or chips
- a can of buy spray
- water proof matches
- a rain coat in its packaging
- a suitcase (the teacher can make it empty or disclose the items inside)
- a purse (again, the teacher can decide what is in it)
- pieces from an airplane seat
- an inflatable raft not inflated (it could have a hole in it)
- soggy magazine
- a lighter
- an ax
- a fire extinguisher
The teacher, of course, can add to the list of things that could possibly wash up on the shore from the plane or from other logical sources. The key is that the students use their problem solving skills to use the items creatively.
For example, the inflatable raft may have a hole it it. It cold be used a roofing for their huts or it could be hung from a tree to hold fresh water. It could be fixed and used to haul water or to even to sleep in, as it would be more comfortable than sleeping on the hard ground.
In addition, if a hurricane comes to the island, students may lose the precious items. So, students will need to figure out how to use something else.
This game is fun for the students, and they can discuss how the Lord of the Flies characters survive on the island in comparison to what they are doing. The most important thing that they learn is how to work in small groups and to problem solve.
Original Game: Lord of the Flies Surviving Game
Kellie Hayden - She is a 19 year veteran teacher with a master's degree in education and NBCT, 2000. Kellie teaches 8th grade language arts, TAG and ...
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