There are several facets to this concept. On the one hand, many kids in school these days are in the cities and suburbs and do not get exposed to the wonders of various kinds of critters. Ignorance breeds fear, so showing kids all about their world can make a healthier happier adult in my opinion.
The other facet, however, is that spiders are Wild Animals. This is a legal concept.
What this means is that unlike, let's say, a dog bite, a dog being a domestic animal, a spider bite is much more dangerous legally to the owner of the spider.
In a bite from a domestic animal, one is allowed to explain circumstances. Frinstance, the dog escaped the back yard. Or it was being teased. Or it was defending its home.
There are VERY few defenses to the strict liability involved to the owner/keeper in the damage caused from a wild animal. It doesn't matter that there was a lock on the cage and a lock on the door and signs everywhere and an alarm, and that once a day the kids recited a pledge of spider safety.
If that sucker gets out and bites a kid causing damage, the teacher may be held strictly liable for the damage both actual and possibly consequential.
Should you have a spider for your classroom, or for show and tell?
I think your choices are your own. Know the consequences, and make your choice in a prepared way.
The other facet, however, is that spiders are Wild Animals. This is a legal concept.
What this means is that unlike, let's say, a dog bite, a dog being a domestic animal, a spider bite is much more dangerous legally to the owner of the spider.
In a bite from a domestic animal, one is allowed to explain circumstances. Frinstance, the dog escaped the back yard. Or it was being teased. Or it was defending its home.
There are VERY few defenses to the strict liability involved to the owner/keeper in the damage caused from a wild animal. It doesn't matter that there was a lock on the cage and a lock on the door and signs everywhere and an alarm, and that once a day the kids recited a pledge of spider safety.
If that sucker gets out and bites a kid causing damage, the teacher may be held strictly liable for the damage both actual and possibly consequential.
Should you have a spider for your classroom, or for show and tell?
I think your choices are your own. Know the consequences, and make your choice in a prepared way.