Characteristics of Dynamic Units

Characteristics of Dynamic Units

This article gives suggestions for making your units more lively or “dynamic. ” Some characteristics of dynamic units follow. They

1. incorporate real-life situations in instruction;

2. integrate all four language skills communicatively;

3. encourage independent learning or “learner autonomy“ and learner choice;

4. use experiential learning; and/or

5. use project-based learning.

Five Steps for Planning a Thematic Unit

This part of the article gives five steps for planning a thematic unit using the theme “Eating out with Friends. ”

1. Think about your curriculum and any required units for your class.
For example, many textbooks have a unit or lesson about food and/or restaurants. This is a good match for the Eating out with Friends theme and is easy to expand.

2. Choose a theme that is meaningful and interesting to students.
For example, you can give them a survey or questionnaire to find out what kinds of topics and tasks are of interest to them.

3. Imagine or “brainstorm” activities for your theme that can use real-life situations and tasks. Be sure to include students in this. For example, see Figure 1 below with an example of a brainstorming task for the Eating out with Friends theme, using a web.

4. Choose, order, and organize the activities and projects.

5. Make sure to include choices for learners, vary the types of activities, and give them opportunities for learner autonomy.
See Figure 2 below for a chart with some examples.

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