Heather Schotke, Founder Creator of gramMarch reading @Sophie Takes a #Selfie – March 2014
California girls unite! Okay, wait, that’s not exactly how I wanted to start this, but I cannot contain the excitement I feel about the grammatical crusade Heather Shotke, middle school teacher, Founder of “gramMarch” and fellow California native has embarked upon!
The gramMARCH challenge is the brainchild of middle school teacher Heather Shotke, who has seen these abbreviated forms of language migrate from the screens of smartphones to the pages of her students’ work product. She is shocked at the type of writing that comes across her desk – even in formal essay assignments.
“I am disappointed and appalled,” Shotke said. “Kids are using ‘text language’ in their academic work and they think it is acceptable because that is how they are communicating with their friends on social media. It worries me that they cannot differentiate between a formal, school assignment and a text to a friend.”
Shotke, a graduate of the Annenberg School of Communication at USC, is concerned that society has become too acceptant of this new-era shorthand. Students are not the only ones at fault. Adults too have adopted this lax method of prose. Through gramMARCH, Shotke is challenging the nation to slow down and think about what they are writing, so that thoughts and words are concise and given respect.
Needless to say I am very happy to have connected with Heather via Twitter – once again reinforcing my love of this powerful social media tool. Looking forward to finding a way to join forces with Heather in the future for the greater good of grammar everywhere.
Let’s all take a moment to PAUSE. PONDER. PROSE.
Thanks for stopping by!
xo Jen
J. J. Cannon 