Give students a reason to think about survival, leadership, rules, fear, and group dynamics before they ever meet the boys on the island.

STRANDED! is a two-day pre-reading simulation for Lord of the Flies that asks students to build an island society, make difficult choices, and respond when their plans begin to fall apart.

Students work in small groups to decide what their island needs, how decisions will be made, how disagreements will be handled, and what happens when unexpected problems put their choices to the test.

The goal is not to find one “correct” way to survive. Instead, students experience many of the same questions about leadership, power, rules, cooperation, fear, and human behavior that they will encounter in Lord of the Flies. Once reading begins, you have a shared classroom experience to return to during discussion and analysis.

What’s Included

• 41-page Teacher Guide
• Student Directions
• Survival Planning Menu
• 5-page Island Record Sheet
• 8 Island Event Cards with optional card backs
• Island Event Teacher Guide
• Event Tracking Sheet
• 2-page Reflection Exit Ticket

How It Works

Phase One: Survival Planning

Groups receive 10 Survival Points and must decide which needs are most important for their island.

Phase Two: Leadership & Power

Students determine how everyday decisions will be made, how disagreements will be handled, and how much authority different group members will have.

Phase Three: Island Events

Unexpected events test the choices students made earlier. Groups must respond using the systems and resources they already established.

The teacher privately tracks Stability Points as the simulation unfolds. At the end, each island is revealed as Stable, Fragile, or Collapsed.

Teacher Prep

This resource is designed to be manageable to run. Print the student materials, prepare the Island Event Cards, review the scoring system, and you are ready to begin.

The simulation works especially well across two 40–45 minute class periods and is designed for students working in small groups of approximately 4–5.

Want more pre-reading simulations like this one?

STRANDED! is also included in the Literature Pre-Reading Simulations Bundle, featuring six decision-based activities for major secondary texts.

Bundle:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Literature-Pre-Reading-Simulations-Bundle-Critical-Thinking-Activities-17656452

Best For

• Lord of the Flies pre-reading
• High school English/ELA
• Novel introduction
• Small-group discussion
• Critical thinking
• Leadership and group dynamics
• Collaborative decision-making
• Reflection