Jars of Fears: What Every Teacher Should Know
What are the things we are afraid of? What does that fear grow from? How do we overcome those fears and face our fears head-on? This blog article breaks down what students may be afraid of, and how a teacher can help kids overcome their fears.
What is Fear?
Fear is an emotion that can involve apprehension, fearfulness, or anxiety. It's a natural response to danger, something that helps us stay alive and protect ourselves. In fact, some experts say that fear is one of the most important emotions we experience.
When it comes to teaching, understanding and managing fear can be essential for both students and teachers. That's why this blog section is devoted to exploring what fear is and what it does in the brain, as well as its effects on learning.
Here are four key things you need to know about fear in education:
1. Fear stimulates the hypothalamus in the brain, leading to the release of stress hormones like cortisol. This increases blood flow and arousal in the body, which can help us stay alert and take action when we're in danger. However, over-activation of the hypothalamus can lead to problems like anxiety and panic disorders.
2. Fear also affects our cognitive processes. For example, it can make it difficult to think straight or remember information. And it can even trigger physical reactions like sweating or shaking.
3. Fear has a powerful effect on motivation and behavior. It can make people feel like they have no choice
Why Teach and Learn with Jars of Fears?
There are many benefits to incorporating Jars of Fears into the classroom setting. Here are just a few:
1. Jars of Fears can be used as a fun and engaging way to introduce new material. By using horror stories as a jumping off point, students will be more engaged in learning.
2. Jars of Fears can help increase student engagement and motivation in the classroom. When students are engaged in learning, they are more likely to retain information.
3. Jars of Fears can help improve problem solving skills. By having students work through a series of fear-based challenges, they will learn how to approach difficult situations with caution and poise.
4. Jars of Fears can help foster a sense of community in the classroom. By working together to overcome fears, students will build relationships that will last well beyond the school day.
Resources
When it comes to fear in the classroom, most educators are familiar with some of the more common phobias- spiders, heights, dogs, etc. But what about some of the lesser-known fears? Here are five jars of fears that every teacher should know about.
1) Jars of Fear: Spiders
If there’s one thing that teachers can universally agree on, it’s that spiders freak everyone out. According to the American Museum of Natural History, around 60% of people experience at least one fear during their lifetime. And when it comes to spiders, it seems that fear is nothing new! In fact, ancient cultures around the world have been succumbing to spider phobia for centuries. So why is this particular fear so prevalent?
There are a few reasons why spiders terrify so many people. For one, spiders are among the most successful animals on Earth when it comes to survival- they can eat insects that would otherwise deface crops or kill livestock, and they can weave webs that trap prey. They also possess venomous spines which they use to kill their prey or defend themselves. Combine all these factors with our natural human aversion to risk
Conclusion
As a teacher, it's your responsibility to ensure that your students are safe. This means being aware of the latest safety threats and knowing how to respond when they occur. In this article, I'll be discussing five of the most common safety hazards that schoolchildren face and what you can do to help keep your students safe. Whether you're a new teacher or an experienced one, make sure you read this article so that you can put into practice the advice given.