Some years ago, the Shearer children were practicing their handwriting in their handwriting workbooks – the kind with the nicely spaced ruled lines to help in keeping the letters equally sized – but were finding the standard sentences more than a bit boring.

Cyndy had just run across a reprint of one of George Washington’s own schoolbooks. When he was sixteen, he had begun copying maxims for polite behavior into his schoolbooks. The rules described the behavior of a gentleman, and many claim that they greatly influenced Washington’s attitudes and standards for his own behavior.

(Just an aside, I have just finished viewing the John Adams mini-series, produced by Tom Hanks & HBO last year, 7 episodes, 8 hours 20 minutes running time. I highly recommend it, not least for its remarkable portrayal of George Washington!)

Where was I? Oh yes, handwriting.

Cyndy and the children found that they were having some very interesting discussions based on Washington’s maxims. “Show nothing to your friend that might affright him” kicked off a discussion about no tormenting guests with scary insects, etc.

Other rules address issues involving putting others first and self last – and other ways to show respect to those around us.

In 2002, we published Volume I of Handwriting by George with the first 27 of his 110 rules. Today, I am very pleased to announce the publication of Volume II with rules 28 through 55. Volumes III & IV will become available in May, and June.

Each volume is printed on 8″x10″ ruled sheets with space to copy each rule at least once, and often 2 or 3 times. There is also a framed space on the facing page where children are encouraged to draw their own illustration for the rule. Drawing time makes a nice break from handwriting practice!

Handwriting by George, Volume I, paperback, 64 pages is still available for $6.95

Handwriting by George, Volume II, paperback, 62 pages is now available for $9.95