Walden's Pond(er)

Representative Greg Walden
House of Representatives
1404 Longworth
Washington, D.C. 20515

Attn: Valerie Henry
Legislative Assistant

Regarding: Continued Funding for Oregon Writing Project

July 20, 2006

Dear Representative Walden;

    I am writing to request your support for the Oregon Writing Project. This is a small program that has reaped giant results in a multitude of ways. The Oregon Writing Project allows teachers to come together and learn research-based writing techniques. Although districts and the state have a writing curriculum, this program provides teachers with a large bag of strategies to coax the most reluctant of writers into participating. The State writing curriculum has no value if the students refuse to participate. In the case of my special education students, they are so frustrated they gave up long ago.

   At the Oregon Writing Project, I have been given techniques, technologies, and a support network that I believe will help to bring back to my students some of the enthusiasm they lost.To say that my student’s suffer with writing assignments is an understatement. My students are what used to be called “slow learners”. These students, now in the upper grades, are long past caring if they get a poor grade report. I am leaving the Oregon Writing Project with many wonderful ideas. These ideas will encourage my students to at least try.

    Having access to the writing information, lesson plans,  and the ability to network with other teachers is "priceless" as the saying goes.  However, the Oregon Writing Project is not priceless, it requires funding.  I hope that you will see that the cost of the Writing Project is  far exceeded by it's benefits on multiple levels.  Please vote to continue funding. My student's and I need your support.

Sincerely,

Robin Rowe
PO Box 753
Gilchrist, OR 97737