When George Washington was about 16 years old, he set about to copy 110 Rules of Civility from a school book. The exercise was intended to improve his penmanship while at the same time develop his character. While some of the Rules are obsolete, a few of them are quite relevant today.
These rules are also important in our classroom:
Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect,
to those that are Present.
* * * * *
When you Sit down, Keep your Feet firm and Even,
without putting one on the other or Crossing them.
* * * * *
Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys
lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth,
and bedew no mans face with your Spittle,
by appr[oaching too nea]r him [when] you Speak.
* * * * *
Turn not your Back to others especially in Speaking,
Jog not the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes,
lean not upon any one.
* * * * *
Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub the Hands,
or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them
or keep the Lips too open or too Close.
* * * * *
Let your Countenance be pleasant
but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.
* * * * *
The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.
* * * * *
If any one come to Speak to you while you are Sitting Stand up
tho he be your Inferiour, and when you Present Seats
let it be to every one according to his Degree.
* * * * *
When you meet with one of Greater Quality than yourself,
Stop, and retire especially if it be at a Door or any Straight place
to give way for him to Pass.
* * * * *
In walking the highest Place in most Countrys
Seems to be on the right hand
therefore Place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to Honour:
but if three walk together the mid[dest] Place is the most Honourable
the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.
* * * * *
If any one far Surpasses others, either in age, Estate, or Merit
[yet] would give Place to a meaner than hims[self
in his own lodging or elsewhere] the one ought not to except it,
S[o he on the other part should not use much earnestness
nor offer] it above once or twice.
 | Following this rule, means the following:
|
We will discuss this rule in detail, beginning on the first day of school and continuing throughout the year, breaking it down into steps and justifying the reasons for each step. I find that when this is taught explicitly and students work through this single rule, all other rules seem to fall into place.
