Handwriting by George

     I have an almost 8 year old son who loves to write and a 6 year old son who despises it so I am always looking for a good way to interest them both in our handwriting exercises and I think I have found it.  I received, in the mail the other day, a book titled "Handwriting by George--Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation" published by Greenleaf Press. 
     The intro of the book states that: "When George Washington was 16 years old, he began copying 110 maxims for polite behavior into his schoolbooks.  These rules describe the behavior of a gentleman, and many claim that they greatly influenced Washington's attitudes and standards for his own behavior." 
     This book includes rules 1-27 with other volumes to follow.  The kids and I usually get a good laugh out of the "rule of the day" but when we talk about it, we can see how the rules apply to the daily life of a young man. 

Some of my favorites are:
RULE #8: Sleep not when others speak, sit not when others stand, speak not when you should hold your peace, walk not when others stop.
RULE #19: Let your countenance be pleasant, but in serious matters somewhat grave.
RULE #22: Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy.

And a couple of humorous ones:
RULE #2: When in company put not your hands in any part of the body not usually discovered.
RULE #7: Put not off your clothes in the presence of others, nor go out of your chambers half dressed.

     The book has a lined page with the "rule" written out and ample space for your child to copy the "rule." The opposite page has blank space for your child to illustrate the "rule of the day."  It is rather humorous what kind of illustrations my boys have come up with for the day.  So far, this book has kept both of my boys attention and they are learning proper ettiquette while they are at it!