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 Have each child trace their hand on a piece of paper and on each of the fingers write one of the following characteristics of virtue: “Brave, Selfless, Polite, Patient, Faithful.” Write “Virtue” across the palm. Suggestions for Older Kids or Youth:  Video: What is Civic Virtue?* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANl4MqtHBxg of the renaissance impacts Americans today. Civic humanism is a bit of a loose name, which describes a philosophy of the relationship between a citizen and his/her responsibility to community, the method of how to execute that responsibility, and the group of thinkers who initiated those ideas.1 Coloccio Salutati was one of the fathers of civic humanism. He held a prominent political position in the community — the Chancellor of Florence from 1375-1406. He invited an expert in Greek, the Byzantine Manuel Chrysoloras, to relocate to Florence, to teach Greek at the Medici school. Because Greek had not been used or taught in Italy for about 700 years (Latin was prominent among Italian scholars), Chrysoloras’ acceptance to the three year2 teaching position in Florence was an important contribution to the humanist and civic humanist movements. Salutati believed education (including the standard liberal arts subjects at the time) was a critical tool to support civic duty for the same reasons that he found it critical to support Christian faith. Without Grammar there was no way to learn. Without Dialectics there was no way to reason. Without Rhetoric the capacity to persuade was severely handicapped. The philosophy and method of civic humanism required the ability to obtain knowledge, the ability to reason, and, without question, the ability to persuade. Thus, a liberal arts education was the needed foundation to qualify for serving and bettering one’s society and country. Salutati said this in defense of Grammar, “All studies in human affairs and in sacred subjects are bound together and a knowledge of one subject is not possible without a sound and well-rounded education.”3 The phrase “human affairs” would seem to encompass civic duty. If so, Salutati is stating that civic duty is bound together with sacred subjects. How? Interpreting the phrase “sacred subjects” to signify morality, or choosing the right, arguably he meant that the motivation was the same to be a diligent Christian as it was to support civic humanism. He recognized that the morally right thing to do was to seek to better himself through education and then to utilize the tools of education to lift people within his sphere of influence. Because of this resolute structure of Salutati’s character he naturally championed civic humanism. Christianity and civic duty were two avenues in which he exercised his desire to choose the right. As a result of his apparent dedication to education, Kids 5: The Valor of Virtue Older teens can read the following essay and share with a family member or friend what they learned and one way they want to personally embrace the idea of civic virtue/civic humanism. Civic Humanism: Initial Rise and Later Significance in the United States The renaissance was an exciting time of innovation and improvement. It was a rebirth of the ancient Greek and Roman traditions and philosophy, and the manuscripts of their philosophers had often been lost in musty monastery basements. During the renaissance these manuscripts were sought after and rescued from neglect and the elements. One movement that was born during the renaissance was humanism: a focus on mortal life having merit of itself, the virtue of individuality, and the general celebration of humanity. Another movement, civic humanism, was an outgrowth of the humanist movement. The humanist movement increased academic interest and research and civic humanism built on that momentum by advocating for the use of education towards community benefit. Specifically, civic duty and involvement. This paper will explain the rise of civic humanism during the renaissance, argue its significance on the construction of American spirit and government, and argue how the civic humanism Moms for America ✯ Cottage Kids 7