Bespoke ELA

An inspiring and exciting new collection of ideas to help secondary ELA teachers and other educators connect with contemporary students

Includes digital access to 50 ready-to-use downloadable resources

In Bespoke ELA, veteran teacher and founder of Bespoke ELA and TeachWriting.org, Meredith Dobbs, delivers a comprehensive guide introducing new, innovative, and unconventional ideas and lesson plans that can hold the attention of modern students. Dobbs offers a range of strategies to enhance reading, writing, speaking, listening skills, critical thinking, and analysis in the classroom.

Eschewing outmoded instruction methods like lectures, rote memorization, and standardized testing in favor of student-centered activities, technological integration, and lesson plans with real-world applications, the book provides content that is relevant to students' lives.

Readers will also find:

• Practical, teacher-tested strategies that you can immediately implement in your own classroom
• Immersive storytelling experiences, Language Learning Duels and Escape Rooms, Literary Time Travel Expeditions, and other exercises
• A series of true crime inspired project ideas
• Access to 50 downloadable resources that accompany assignments, lessons, activities, and projects from the book

Perfect for secondary school English language arts teachers seeking to enhance their curricula, improve student engagement, and foster improved learning outcomes, Bespoke ELA will also benefit educators in other subjects who want inspiring and innovative ideas to help them connect with students.

The Innovative ELA Teacher Pack ix

Introduction: Innovating in a World of Tradition xi

Chapter 1 Innovative Alternatives to the Traditional Essay 1

Chapter 2 Innovative Approaches to Editing and Revision 23

Chapter 3 Innovative Writing Activities for the Real World 45

Chapter 4 Innovative Discussion Strategies 75

Chapter 5 Innovative Literary Activities for Any Novel 95

Chapter 6 Innovative Research Projects 135

Chapter 7 Innovative Strategies to Gamify the Classroom 163

Chapter 8 Innovative Satire Lessons 179

Chapter 9 Innovative Writing Prompts 193

Call to Action: Becoming an Innovative ELA Teacher 203

References 207

Acknowledgments 215

About the Author 217

Index 219

Meredith Dobbs, M.A., has more than 17 years of classroom teaching experience. She is also the founder of Bespoke ELA and TeachWriting.org, where she provides resources and curriculum guidance for secondary English language arts teachers. She’s passionate about reshaping ELA education to meet the evolving needs of modern learners.

Innovative ideas, immersive lesson plans, and access to 50 downloadable materials to use in your classroom

Bespoke ELA presents a collection of innovative lessons and projects designed to capture the attention of modern students through differentiation, gamification, movement, and student choice. Best of all, you can implement these lessons right away by accessing the supplemental online Teacher Pack, where you’ll find ready-to-use printable materials for your classroom.

“As a medical doctor and edtech founder deeply committed to literacy, I am excited by Bespoke ELA. This is for educators looking to move beyond traditional teaching methods to creative alternatives that will ignite a genuine passion for learning in their students. It emphasizes real-world application to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world and prioritizes student engagement with practical strategies and ready-to-use resources.”
—APARNA RAMANATHAN, MD, Education Technology Innovator

“I’m so grateful to have this book. It’s like an encyclopedia of inspiring and engaging ideas I can use in my English classroom!”
—AMANDA WERNER, Creator of Amanda Write Now and host of the Empower Students Now podcast

“ELA teachers will immediately know that Meredith is a present-day classroom teacher from her practical and concise ideas. From her experience across grades and roles, she speaks to the depth required of language arts instruction.”
—LAURALEE MOSS, Author and Creator of The Language Arts Classroom

“As a medical doctor and edtech founder deeply committed to literacy, I am excited by Bespoke ELA. This is for educators looking to move beyond traditional teaching methods to creative alternatives that will ignite a genuine passion for learning in their students. It emphasizes real-world application to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world and prioritizes student engagement with practical strategies and ready-to-use resources."
—Aparna Ramanathan, MD, Education technology innovator

“I'm so grateful to have this book. It's like an encyclopedia of inspiring and engaging ideas I can use in my English classroom!”
—Amanda Werner, Creator of Amanda Write Now and host of the Empower Students Now podcast

“ELA teachers will immediately know that Meredith is a present-day classroom teacher from her practical and concise ideas. From her experience across grades and roles, she speaks to the depth required of language arts instruction.”
—Lauralee Moss, Author and Creator of The Language Arts Classroom