“Kids on Civility”
Writing/Poetry Contest
Win Prizes & become a published author! The Stanislaus County Choose Civility initiative began with a book:
PM Forni’s Choosing Civility. To culminate three years focused on civility, the
County Office is wrapping up the Initiative with a book written by the children of this county,
reflecting their perspectives on the 12 Principles of Civility (listed below).
Rules of Submission
1. Each student who submits must provide one packet with the designated cover sheet completed
and attached giving parental permission to reprint the student work.
2. Each student may submit only one piece of writing per Civility Principle, so a maximum of 12
pieces of writing per student. Again, every submission by a student must be kept together in a
packet with the completed cover sheet on top.
3. The submitted pieces may be written to a variety of the types of writing requested: couplets,
haiku, limericks, sonnets, blank verse, free verse, “text,” or narrative writing. Descriptions of
each of these types of writing are attached.
4. Each piece of writing must be titled with the name of the Civility Principle it is about. Students
may also provide a subtitle if they want.
5. Each piece of writing must include the student’s name at the top.
6. It is permissible to include more than one submission per page.
7. All submissions must be rated PG: no references to inappropriate activities and no inappropriate
language – the idea is to model Civility.
8. Student work may be reproduced as submitted, in the student’s handwriting, or it may be word
processed. Please submit LEGIBLE work!
9. Students must be a resident of Stanislaus County or attend school in Stanislaus County to
participate.
10. Prizes will be awarded and books will be distributed at a special reception on
June 13, 2013.
Please note that a submission does not guarantee inclusion in the book. We may be limited by space and
the number of submissions.
All packets must be submitted to the
Stanislaus County Office of Education
Administration Office by 5:00 PM on Friday, April 5, 2013.
We are unable to accept late submissions.
(Check your calendar carefully as this date coincides with Spring Break for many schools.)
For more information please visit: www.stancoe.org/civility
12 Principles
Listen • Respect Other People’s Time • Don’t Shift Responsibility & Blame • Accept & Give
Praise • Respect Others’ Opinions • Acknowledge Others • Speak Kindly • Apologize Sincerely • Refrain from Idle Complaints • Think the Best • Accept & Give Constructive Criticism • Don’t
Speak Ill
“Kids on Civility” Writing/Poetry Contest
Official Entry Form/Release Form
Submit your completed entry form with your poem or written piece(s) to the Stanislaus County Office
of Education by 5 p.m., Friday, April 5, 2013. Each submission must be titled with one of the 12 Civility
Principles (see chart).
Student Name:
Age: _______ Grade: _______
Please select one:
□ Home School: ________________________________________
□ Private School:
12 Principles
□ Public School:
Listen
Student Home Address:
Respect Other People’s Time
Don’t Shift Responsibility & Blame
Accept & Give Praise
e‐mail:
Phone number:
Alternate phone number:
Entrant’s Signature:
Respect Others’ Opinions
Acknowledge Others
Speak Kindly
Apologize Sincerely
Refrain from Idle Complaints
Think the Best
Accept & Give Constructive
Criticism
I ______________________________________ release my
Don’t Speak Ill
Parent/Guardian name (print)
child’s poem(s)/writings to the Stanislaus County Office of
Education (SCOE) for possible inclusion in a “Choose Civility” book to be published by SCOE. I also
authorize SCOE to use my child’s name and school/grade/photograph within the book and for other
promotional purposes.
Parent/Guardian Signature: _________________________________________
(Students must be residents of Stanislaus County or attend school in Stanislaus County to participate)
Choose Civility Principles – Explanation/Example for Middle and Elementary Students
1. Listen –
Pay attention with your ears and your eyes.
2. Respect Other People’s Time Don’t waste people’s time, be on time for school, practices and events.
3. Don’t Shift Responsibility & Blame –
When you’ve done something that wasn’t right, say you did it and don’t make excuses.
4. Accept & Give Praise –
It is ok to say thank you after someone pays you a compliment without giving an
explanation. It is even better to tell someone they did something well.
5. Respect Others’ Opinions –
Try to understand what the other person is saying.
6. Acknowledge Others Say hello. Include other people in your circle of friends.
7. Speak Kindly Say nice things.
8. Apologize Sincerely Be sorry and mean it in your heart.
9. Refrain from Idle Complaints –
Hold back from complaining about little things.
10. Think the Best Think about people in a good way and give them a chance before becoming angry.
11. Accept & Give Constructive Criticism –
Help the other person see a situation in a new way.
12. Don’t Speak Ill Don’t gossip or say mean things about other people.
The Stanislaus County Board of Education supports the county-wide
“Choose Civility” initiative and pledges to encourage and model civil behavior.
Couplet The Basics of a Couplet: 
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A couplet has two lines. The two lines rhyme. The two lines have the same number of syllables in them. More sophisticated characteristics of a Couplet: 
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Couplets can be written to Shakespearean standards by ensuring that each line has ten syllables. Shakespearean couplets also have a rhythm established by using a pattern of an unaccented syllable followed by an accented syllable. This two syllable poetic foot is called an “iamb.” Having five iambs in a line get you to the ten syllables per line and produces the meter called “iambic pentameter.” Typically, articles, prepositions, prefixes and suffixes are unaccented syllables. The accented syllables tend to be the verbs, nouns, adverbs and adjectives. When these parts of speech are multi‐syllabic, the base portion of the word is usually accented. Couplets can be extended into a series by having multiple couplets linked to more fully describe the same subject or topic. If you extend the poem by having more than one couplet, each couplet should maintain its two‐line rhyme scheme. Example: Speak Kindly As you sail through life, hold fast, keep in mind To offer some smiles and nods and speak kind Remember: 1. Title your couplet(s) with the name of the Civility principle you are trying to capture in the poem. You may add a subtitle if you wish. 2. Place your name at the top of the page. 3. Be legible. The 12 Principles of Civility: Listen. Respect Other People’s Time. Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame. Accept and Give Praise. Respect Others’ Opinion. Acknowledge Others. Speak Kindly. Apologize Sincerely. Refrain from Idle Complaints. Think the Best. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism. Don’t Speak Ill Haiku The Basics of Haiku: 
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Each haiku is three lines. The first line has 5 syllables in it. The second line has 7 syllables in it. The third (and last) line has 5 syllables in it. More sophisticated characteristics of Haiku: 
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Shift in ideas: in traditional haiku, the author writes in a shift. Either the first two lines develop an idea and the third line shifts away, or the last two lines of the poem shift away from the image or the idea of the first line. This shift may be signaled by a “cutting word” and should create a leap for the reader, an internal comparison between the two ideas or images. Haiku tends to incorporate language that evoke the 5 senses and describe something that can be experienced but not necessarily interpreted or analyzed. So, poets tend to use more objective or concrete words rather than subjective. Traditional haiku includes a seasonal reference. Example: Listen Birds chirp as leaves fall Vibrant colors swirl and crunch Rustling speaks volumes Remember: 1. Title your haiku poem with the name of the Civility principle you are trying to capture in the poem. You may add a subtitle if you wish. 2. Place your name at the top of the page. 3. Be legible. The 12 Principles of Civility: Listen. Respect Other People’s Time. Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame. Accept and Give Praise. Respect Others’ Opinion. Acknowledge Others. Speak Kindly. Apologize Sincerely. Refrain from Idle Complaints. Think the Best. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism. Don’t Speak Ill Limerick The Basics of a Limerick: 
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A limerick has five lines. A limerick has a pattern of rhyme: the first, second and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other. A limerick has a certain rhythm (or meter) to it: There was an old man from Peru da DUM da da DUM da da DUM Who dreamed he was eating his shoe Da DUM da da DUM da da DUM He woke in the night da DUM da da DUM With a terrible fright da DUM da da DUM And found out that it was quite true da DUM da da DUM da da DUM More sophisticated characteristics of a Limerick: 
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The first line of a limerick typically introduces a character by name or by place of origin. A limerick is usually humorous, and the last line typically has a twist that is the linchpin of the humor or irony of the poem. The rhythm (or meter) of the poem had three poetic feet in the first, second and fifth line; and two poetic feet in the third and fourth lines. Example: Refrain from Idle Complaints There was an old woman who griped She snarled and she barked and she sniped “The water’s too cold” “The bread it tastes old” But then by a truck she was swiped! Remember: 1. Title your limerick with the name of the Civility principle you are trying to capture in the poem. You may add a subtitle if you wish. 2. Place your name at the top of the page. 3. Be legible. The 12 Principles of Civility: Listen. Respect Other People’s Time. Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame. Accept and Give Praise. Respect Others’ Opinion. Acknowledge Others. Speak Kindly. Apologize Sincerely. Refrain from Idle Complaints. Think the Best. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism. Don’t Speak Ill Acrostic Poem The Basics of an Acrostic Poem: 
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Write the word or phrase vertically, placing one letter on the left –hand side of the page. Usually that letter is capitalized to make it stand out. There are no set number of lines. Write a line for each letter, starting with a word that begins with the letter on that line. More sophisticated characteristics of an Acrostic Poem: 
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Acrostic poems can also rhyme, using any pattern that the poet chooses. Acrostic poems can also have a certain rhythm (or meter) by controlling the number of syllables in each line and the pattern of accented and unaccented syllables. Example: Think the Best T empting as it may be to do otherwise, H owever hard you must work at it, I ndulge in the positive! N ever sink to bad mouthing, to pessimism; K eep it kind and hang on to optimism. T hose who surround you ‐ H overing, hoping E arnestly ‐ are B ound to your E xpectations & attitude and their utterances, so S ay what is good T hink what you hope might be; think the best. Remember: 1. Title your acrostic poem with the name of the Civility principle you are trying to capture in the poem. You may add a subtitle if you wish. 2. Place your name at the top of the page. 3. Be legible. The 12 Principles of Civility: Listen. Respect Other People’s Time. Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame. Accept and Give Praise. Respect Others’ Opinion. Acknowledge Others. Speak Kindly. Apologize Sincerely. Refrain from Idle Complaints. Think the Best. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism. Don’t Speak Ill Blank Verse Basics of Blank Verse: 
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Blank verse has no rhymes and no set number of lines. Blank verse has 10 syllables in each line of the poem. For the purposes of this submission only, each blank verse poem can be no more than 15 lines. It can be shorter than that. More sophisticated characteristics of Blank Verse: 
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Blank verse is written to produce a certain rhythm (or meter). The 10 syllables in each line are divided into 5 sets of 2 syllable units or poetic feet. Each 2 syllable unit starts with an unaccented syllable followed by an accented syllable. This unit is called an “iamb,” and because there are 5 such poetic feet or iambs in each line, the rhythm is called iambic pentameter. Typically, articles, prepositions, prefixes and suffixes are unaccented syllables. The accented syllables tend to be the verbs, nouns, adverbs and adjectives. When these parts of speech are multi‐syllabic, the base portion of the word is usually accented. Example: Accept and Give Praise She says that’s good, and then I say okay! I say well done, and she says why thank you. I know that she has been paying me mind; I am pleased to know that I make the grade. Of course, she’s likewise thrilled to be in the light. We’re both inspired to fight on for good. Remember: 1. Title your blank verse with the name of the Civility principle you are trying to capture in the poem. You may add a subtitle if you wish. 2. Place your name at the top of the page. 3. Be legible. The 12 Principles of Civility: Listen. Respect Other People’s Time. Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame. Accept and Give Praise. Respect Others’ Opinion. Acknowledge Others. Speak Kindly. Apologize Sincerely. Refrain from Idle Complaints. Think the Best. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism. Don’t Speak Ill Free Verse Basics of Free Verse: 
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Free verse has no requirements for rhyme or rhythm, the number of lines or the typical subject matter. Free verse is experimental and fun. For the purposes of this submission only, limit your Free Verse poems to no more than 15 lines. Of course, it can be shorter than that. More sophisticated characteristics of Free Verse: 
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Word choice is critical in free verse, since there are no other parameters for this form of poetry. Decide whether to use long or short lines depending on the subject you choose, and the mood or attitude you want to convey. Be strategic about your choice of line length. Example: Apologize Sincerely “This Is Just To Say,” by William Carlos Williams I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox and which you were probably saving for breakfast Forgive me they were delicious so sweet and so cold Remember: 1. Title your free verse with the name of the Civility principle you are trying to capture in the poem. You may add a subtitle if you wish. 2. Place your name at the top of the page. 3. Be legible. The 12 Principles of Civility: Listen. Respect Other People’s Time. Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame. Accept and Give Praise. Respect Others’ Opinion. Acknowledge Others. Speak Kindly. Apologize Sincerely. Refrain from Idle Complaints. Think the Best. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism. Don’t Speak Ill Sonnet Basics of a Sonnet: 
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A sonnet is 14 lines. Each line in a sonnet typically has 10 syllables. A sonnet has a rhythm or meter by organizing the 10 syllables in each line to include five two‐
syllable units or feet. Each foot begins with an unaccented syllable followed by an accented syllable; this unit is called an iamb. Because there are five iambs per line, this pattern is called “iambic pentameter.” A sonnet has a specific rhyme scheme or pattern: ababcdcdefefgg , so that the first and third lines rhyme (the “a” designation), the second and fourth lines rhyme (the “b” designation) and so on. The sonnet ends in a couplet, two final lines that rhyme with each other (the lines designated with a “g”). A sonnet has an introduction, a turning point, and a conclusion. Example: Don’t Speak Ill “Sonnet 138,” by William Shakespeare When my love swears that she is made of truth,
I do believe her though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearned in the world's false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young,
Although she knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit her false-speaking tongue:
On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed:
But wherefore says she not she is unjust?
And wherefore say not I that I am old?
O! love's best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love, loves not to have years told:
Therefore I lie with her, and she with me,
And in our faults by lies we flattered be.
Remember: 1. Title your sonnet with the name of the Civility principle you are trying to capture in the poem. You may add a subtitle if you wish. 2. Place your name at the top of the page. 3. Be legible. The 12 Principles of Civility: Listen. Respect Other People’s Time. Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame. Accept and Give Praise. Respect Others’ Opinion. Acknowledge Others. Speak Kindly. Apologize Sincerely. Refrain from Idle Complaints. Think the Best. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism. Don’t Speak Ill Text/Tweet Message The Basics of a Text/Tweet Message: 
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Keep it short; capture the Civility Principle in a few number of words Utilize the shorthand common to texting and tweeting Example: Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame Keep it 2 Urself U No U did it U own it No more she said he did B bold, B who U R, B all grown up K? Remember: 1. Title your Text/Tweet Message with the name of the Civility principle you are trying to capture in the poem. You may add a subtitle if you wish. 2. Place your name at the top of the page. 3. Be legible. The 12 Principles of Civility: Listen. Respect Other People’s Time. Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame. Accept and Give Praise. Respect Others’ Opinion. Acknowledge Others. Speak Kindly. Apologize Sincerely. Refrain from Idle Complaints. Think the Best. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism. Don’t Speak Ill Narrative The Basics of a Narrative: 
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A narrative tells a story and typically has a beginning, middle and end. A narrative is made up of sentences and paragraphs and is prose writing, not poetry. The story should be an example of the Civility Principle at work in a classroom or in a setting in which students could find themselves. The story can tell about how someone chose to be an example of the principle or not. For the purposes of this writing, the narrative should be no longer than 200 words (not counting the title or subtitle). More Sophisticated Characteristics of a Narrative: 
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The best narratives offer significant sensory details to convey the setting in which the incident took place. Narratives also reveal the character of the people involved through description of the person, careful use of dialog (including interior dialog), and significant action. Example: Acknowledge Others I stood in Jack in the Box with others who had ordered and paid, but not yet received their burgers and fries. Pressed against the tile wall, I watched the ragged, dirty and desperate man at the counter empty his pockets of pennies and nickels. The resigned employee across from him repeated, “If you can’t pay, you have to leave.” But the vagrant stayed at the counter struggling with his change. Those behind him grew impatient and repeated, “You have to leave.” Again and louder the mantra echoed off those cold tile walls. An attempt to remove the homeless man was met with resistance, and suddenly his filthy fist connected, over shoulder of a man attempting to remove him, with the customer impatiently demanding that he leave. Blood flew at impact, and the raggedy man was pitched out Jack’s front door. I still ask myself: “Why didn’t I step forward?” I had the extra change. Why didn’t I feed that hungry man? Why did I press back against that wall hoping for invisibility? Why did I fail to acknowledge the humanity of a poor soul who just wanted to eat? Remember: 1. Title your Narrative with the name of the Civility principle you are trying to capture in the piece of writing. You may add a subtitle if you wish. 2. Place your name at the top of the page. 3. Be legible. The 12 Principles of Civility: Listen. Respect Other People’s Time. Don’t Shift Responsibility and Blame. Accept and Give Praise. Respect Others’ Opinion. Acknowledge Others. Speak Kindly. Apologize Sincerely. Refrain from Idle Complaints. Think the Best. Accept and Give Constructive Criticism. Don’t Speak Ill