George Washington's Rules of Civility Booklet

Copywork Notebook Resource for GW's Rules of Decent Behavior

The PDF files linked here can be used to print a half-sized copywork notebook. When I made the file, I added all of the rules that I have regardless of content. I fixed a few spelling errors, a couple of glaring grammar errors, but essentially the rules are here in the language of the past.

Linked below are the files that make the booklet. I will also explain how to put the booklet together.

Files and Instructions for DY's GW's Rules Booklet

Print on nice paper. Thirty-Two weight is nice for notebooks.

The Cover Sheet: GW-Rules Cover
Print on one sheet of paper. Lay the cover sheet face down on your table.

The Back Page: GW-Rules Back Page
Print on one sheet of paper. Lay the back page face up (ruled lines are face up and on your right) on top of the cover sheet.

The Booklet: GW-Rules Notebook
Print pages 1-8. Reload the printed paper into printer and print pages 9-16 on the other side. Lay the booklet pages on top of the back page.

At this point you have the entire booklet printed. Make sure all of the pages are oriented correctly (upright). The pages need to be in the order that is stated above. Do not fold the pages in half yet.

Bind the Notebook

Bind the notebook in any way that you can using staples, binder machine, or thread. If you have a binding machine, that is great, otherwise, you will need to use another way. I do not have a binding machine. My stapler is too short to staple the pages without bending them. In the case of most half-sized booklets, sewing the pages is my preferred method of binding them.

Binding by Staples or Sewing

Fold the cover sheet in half just enough so that you will have a nice crease to go by. Open the cover page and replace it in the stack. Straighten up page edges in the stack.

If you decide to staple, staple in at least 3 places along the crease.

If you decide to sew, sew along the crease. When I sew, I use a heavy duty needle and ordinary thread. I do not sew off the edges. After sewing, I pull the end strings to the inside of the book and tie them off, then cut them.

Sewn Booklet

Page Edges

Once the booklet is secured and folded, you will noticed the the page edges are skewed uphill then downhill making thumbing the pages next to impossible. The edges can be trimmed and how well you do this task depends on the tools that you have on hand. A very sharp paper trimmer might work, I can't say because I do not have one. I used a cutting mat, a large clear ruler, and an exacto knife. Anyway, use what you have to trim the edges flush. [Scissors do a poor job.]

Trimmed edges

Now you have a copywork book to hand to your child. Use it for either cursive or small printing.

I recommend this copywork exercise for children who know how to write well enough to concentrate on what is being written.