Creating a manual for survival on a deserted island helps students place themselves in the setting of Golding's story. Information might be based around the period of the story (1950s), modern times or comparing and contrasting the two. Students should include details about how to use materials that might be available on the island, emergency first aid and clear explanations about problems castaways might encounter and how to solve them. Students can incorporate research by browsing locations and survival guides on the web and in the library.
Creating visual representations of various ideas from the story can help all students understand characters, events and themes more clearly, especially visual and tactile learners. Developing a model of the island by drawing by hand, molding clay or using a computer program establishes the setting. The same can be said for the characters, using the descriptions in the book. Explore characterization by developing masks that represent the major characters, depicting not only physical characteristics but personalities as well. For instance, Piggy might have a giant brain to illustrate his wisdom.
Connections to the real world help students grasp the theme of "Lord of the Flies" and understand the book's applicability even 50 years after publication. Individuals or groups might research governmental abuses and atrocities throughout history such as the Holocaust and current issues discussed through organizations such as Amnesty International. A somewhat lighter assignment could connect the book with such abuses seen through the lens of popular culture such as movies or music.
Students can feel more a part of the group of boys on the island by using senses of hearing and taste, as well. They might compose and record or perform music they feel fits the various moods in the story, or tape a montage of animal sounds that illustrate the setting. For taste, preparing a feast like one the boys enjoyed and bringing the fruits referred to in the text draws students into the experience.