26-27 BPS Course Catalog - Flipbook - Page 46
Honors Flexible Scheduling ~ FLEX (Seaholm)
Since 1964 The Flexible Scheduling Program (Flex) has offered Seaholm students the opportunity to be a part of a
democratic community of inquiry. Flex is an honors English and Social Studies program, open to students in grades 9-12,
which combines the study of literature, history, philosophy, and media within a four-year cycle. A daily, two-hour block of
time for two semesters allows for the Flex team to provide an integrated approach to the units of study within the
interdisciplinary curriculum, and to be active in the intellectual and developmental growth of each student. Flex students
are expected to delve deeply into core-related materials through the mini-courses offered within the program, and to take
advantage of the leadership and civic engagement opportunities presented throughout the course of their four years. In
addition to the close study of fiction, non-fiction, and media materials, Flex students also develop crit-ical thinking and
analytical writing skills. As a writer, a Flex student can expect to study the foundations of essay writing in 9th grade, then
advance to writing across genres and preparation for AP Seminar (pending board approval) in 10th grade, preparation for
the AP Language and Composition exam in the 11th grade, and a capstone research writing project in the 12th grade.
The Flex Program continues to provide an excellent opportunity for teachers and students to work together within a
dynamic community of learners and students who remain in the program all four years will complete the English and
Social Studies requirements for graduation. The Economics requirement is met in the 11th grade; and the Government
requirement is met in the 12th grade. AP Seminar will be incorporated into the Flex 10th Grade Writing Curriculum.
Students will research and collaborate as they write research-based essays and design and give presentations both
individually and on teams. At the conclusion of the 10th grade year, students will be eligible to sit for the AP Seminar
Exam.
Prerequisites: None
Grades Taught: 9, 10, 11, 12
Credit: 1.0 per year for English (10th grade AP Seminar- pending board approval); 1.0 per year for Social Studies; .5
Economics credit granted after 11th grade; .5 U.S. Government credit granted after 12th grade NCAA approved
Flex Concentrations
Our America: From the classic works of American literature like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Henry David
Thoreau’s Walden, to the great historical events of the American Revolution and the Civil Rights movement, Flex students
will work to define the American experience. Focus Question: What is America?
The Human Experience: Cultural anthropology is the basis for this year as students read literature including Frankenstein,
investigate cultural perspectives of Russia and the Middle East, and study the act of genocide with an in-depth exploration
of the Holocaust. Focus Question: What does it mean to be human?
The Examined Life: From Socrates to the Twentieth Century, Flex students will ground their study of Western literature and
Western civilization in philosophy. Students study major periods in European history and read literature including Oedipus
Rex and works from William Shakespeare. Focus Question: Where is knowledge taking humanity?
Our World: Flex students examine the history and context of globalization and global economics. Students will also explore
the world through the literature and history of Africa, Latin America, India, and China. Focus Question: What does it mean to
be a member of a global community?
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