Nobody likes being told what to do or how to live. Tell a teenager how something should be done, and the mental blast shields come up. That’s one reason why vegans, environmentalists and the WOKE can be so tedious. Everyone used to know that people learn from stories. That’s why the Bible has so many of them. A story is engaging, and allows the message to slip in.
Boys need stories about heroes to learn how to be men. For those with limited comprehension, I’m not saying girls don’t, it’s just different. Boys need men to live up to. Blessed is the man who was intimidated by his dad in his teen years, but eventually hopes he can be half the man his father was.
The genre of story doesn’t matter much. Westerns, sports underdog or adventurer stories can all show a man up against the wall. He chooses to do what’s right, regardless of the cost, and there is a cost. It’s grueling, painful or dangerous. He gets his ass beat, but it works out in the end.
Rocky and the first Indiana Jones are two great examples.
Teaching Physics, telling stories and showing examples of men was part of my hidden agenda.
During the chapter on waves, I showed a clip like this about the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It is a famous example, but many of the videos don’t show the construction. I don’t lecture about the steely-nerved construction workers, but I mention it.
In the chapter test on sound, there are a couple of problems dealing with the sound barrier that feature test pilot, Col. Charles Yeager. A little bit facetiously, I refer to him as “American hero, Chuck Yeager” and encourage the students to play along. After the chapter test, we watch the Modern Marvels: Breaking the Sound Barrier video and discuss Yeager’s “Duty is paramount.” philosophy.
Two of my former students came to visit during their spring break from Ohio State. They came to tell me a story. They had taken a Sociology course together. The professor was preparing to make some kind of point, and asked his students to name a hero. Their hands shot up. “American hero, Chuck Yeager!” Their response was so eager and synchronized, the professor was surprised and curious. He wasn’t aware of Yeager, so they schooled the class.
That is one of my proudest moments as a teacher.
This takes nothing away from the girls in the class. They have other teachers and have been in school for over a decade, so I don’t feel like helping boys is hurting girls.
I do not neglect the girls, and try to impart whatever wisdom comes to mind. During the chapter on centripetal acceleration, we watch a video like this about Steve Trotter and his ill-conceived pendulum jump.
The message here is to not date a guy with crazy eyes and hair that is longer than yours.