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Infographic,

The Science of Aaaah!

Here’s what happens when you’re feeling scared—and why some people seek out a little fear, especially around Halloween!

By Catherine Schmitt
From the October/November 2025 Issue
Complexity Factors
  • Purpose
    This infographic is about what happens to our minds and bodies when we are scared and explains why some people enjoy small doses of fear.
  • Structure
    The infographic is organized in three sections. The first explains how our bodies respond to fear. The second includes statistics about American Halloween traditions. The third covers why healthy doses of fear can be good for us.
  • Language
    The language is mostly familiar and straightforward.
  • Knowledge Demands
    No prior knowledge is required. Adrenaline and haunted houses are mentioned.
Standards
  • Common Core
    Anchor Standards: R.1, R.2, R.7, W.1, W.2 Grade 4: RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.7, W.4., W.4.2 Grade 5: RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.7, W.5.1, W.5.2 Grade 6: RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.7, W.6.1, W.6.2
  • TEKS
    Grade 4: 4.6; 4.7; 4.9d, f; 4.12c, d Grade 5: 5.6; 5.7; 5.9d, f; 5.12c, d Grade 6: 6.5; 6.6; 6.8d, f; 6.11b, d
  • NGSS
    LS1.A: Structure and Function LS1.D: Information Processing

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Fear starts in your head!

  • Your brain tells your body to release adrenaline, a chemical that helps you respond to something scary. 
  • You breathe faster.
  • Your heart pounds.
  • Your skin sweats.

Scary and Fun?

When you know that fear is just for laughs—and will be over quickly—experts say it can be good for you. Here’s how.

As your heart rate speeds up, more blood flows to your muscles. This helps you feel alert and energized.

Choosing to do something scary but safe makes you feel empowered. This can help boost your self-confidence.

Once the scary activity is over, your brain tells your body to relax. This gives you a sense of calm and happiness.

Spooky Season By the Numbers

43% of Americans believe feeling scared is part of the Halloween tradition.

On average, Americans watch 5 scary movies around Halloween.

More than 46 million Americans went to haunted houses in 2023.

Sources: Talker Research; National Retail Federatio

Write to Win

Imagine your school is organizing a Halloween celebration. Using details from the infographic, write a letter to your principal explaining whether it should include scary activities. Entries must be submitted to “Scary Contest” by a teacher, parent, or legal guardian.* Three winners will each receive a $25 gift card for the Scholastic Store Online. Visit the Storyworks Contests page for more information.

Contest Deadline: December 1, 2025

*Entries must be written by a student in grades 2-8 and submitted by their teacher, parent, or legal guardian, who will be the entrant and must be a legal resident of the U.S. age 18 or older. See the Teacher’s Guide or visit storyworks.scholastic.com/contests for details.

This infographic was originally published in the October/November 2025 issue.  


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Activities (2)
Skills Activities
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Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
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1. Preparing to Read

  • Have students preview the infographic, including the headline, subhead, images, and the “Write to Win” box.
  • Ask: Is the purpose of the infographic to:
    • explain something to you?
    • convince you of something?
    • tell you how to do something?
  • If a video is included with the infographic, show it to the class.

2. Reading and Discussing the Infographic

  • Break students into groups to read each section of the infographic and discuss what they find interesting, surprising, convincing, or confusing.
  • Come back together as a class and ask volunteers to summarize the main idea and supporting details from the infographic.

3. Skill Building and Writing

  • Distribute the Guided Writing skill builder, which will help students identify key details in the infographic and respond to the writing prompt in the “Write to Win” box. If you’d like, you, a parent, or legal guardian can submit students’ entries to the writing contest. Find more details at storyworks.scholastic.com/pages/storyworks-contests.
  • Optional: Distribute the Make Your Own Infographic activity, which guides students to choose a topic, research it, and create an infographic to share information.
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