Stranded on an Island: Eighth Graders Navigate Survival and Leadership in Lord of the Flies Simulation

What happens when eighth graders at The Peck School find themselves stranded on a deserted island? In Upper School English Teacher Alina Dunker-Ware’s class, students took a hands-on approach to their recent reading of Lord of the Flies by William Golding through an immersive simulation that tested their leadership skills, ethical decision-making, and group dynamics.

The assignment posed a challenging scenario: students were divided into two tribes and tasked with making critical survival choices—who would lead them, how they would govern, and whether they would collaborate or compete with the other tribe in their class.

The simulation challenged students to navigate tough moral dilemmas: Should they share scarce resources with the rival tribe or keep them hidden for their own survival? Should they care for the sick and weak, even if it puts others at risk? What happens when a leader’s decisions become unpopular—do they stage a revolt or remain loyal? Each choice carried unpredictable consequences, determined by the roll of the dice—some fostering cooperation, others sparking conflict and betrayal.

“A simulation like this is cool because you get to work in groups and imagine yourself in situations you wouldn’t normally be in. It forces us to make hard decisions, and you might even see a different side of yourself that you didn’t know was there before,” said Emily O. ’25.

By immersing themselves in this high-stakes exercise, students not only deepened their understanding of Lord of the Flies but also explored real-world themes of leadership, morality, and survival. The unpredictability of dice rolls and the Wheel of Consequences added an element of realism—highlighting how even the best-laid plans can take an unexpected turn.

To complete the simulation, students will wrap up the unit with reflective essays, drawing connections between their own decisions in the activity and the themes of Lord of the Flies, such as leadership, teamwork, and survival. This final step encourages deeper analysis and a greater understanding of how these concepts play out both in fiction and in real-world scenarios.