HELP PLEASE TEACHERS!

[spula]

I'm organising a healthy choices week at my school, but for various reasons we have a very negative unmotivated staff at the moment . I've asked for their suggestions for activities for their year group but with little success, so I'm hoping it's over to you guys . Healthy eating covered and Physical activity not too bad - but struggling for creative ways of tackling emotional health and wellbeing and PSHCE (above and beyond SEAL)
TIA

If the staff are negative and unmotivated at the moment, perhaps you could give some thought to THEIR emotional health and well being. Generally happy staff teach well and lead to happier children . So, without knowing where the problems lie it is hard to be specific, but maybe staff happiness needs addressing. They may also be a bit overwhelmed by Christmas stuff at the moment. I'm not criticising your efforts so far, I'm sure you're on the right track, but there may be issues to tackle before 'which activities are you going to do?'

Agree with woahwoah...

You could design a 'problem box' for each classroom- children anonymously write down a problem they are facing and put it in the box. Two or three problems are chosen and solutions offered by the children (it is important that the teacher does not hijack the discussion!). It is a nice way to introduce the concept of peer-support/mentoring.

Completely agree with addressing their needs, and would love to do organise something, but there are plans for collaborative learning opps and professional development in place for next term (is a very significant issue at mo sadly, and not many attending xmas do, so feel best use of time is planning for them rather than organising an activity that will be met with a brick wall ) Just hope if I 'give' them planned activities myself it will make them feel as if there load is lightened rather than 'healthy choices... another thing to think about' mentality!
Like problem box idea - thanks
Any more ??

I agree that you are going to have to plan the activities for them, though there is a way that you can make them feel more involved without them having to do too much work!
As a deputy and now Head Teacher (of Star Student) I always find it best to try to create a situation where the staff feel supported and involved, but not overburdened with work.
With this in mind, it may be best for you to ask them individually what they would like their activity to focus on (e.g. making others happy, coping with stressful situations). This will make them feel as if they have been involved with planning the activity, without being stressed about it!
You will then need to plan the activities - keep them simple and active, so involve such things as role play or art work - whatever the teachers feel comfortable doing, as it seems that you need to foster a supportive environment, especially as they are so negative and unmotivated at the moment. You never know, you could be starting a whole new positive phase in the school!!
Good luck!

(Here are a couple of websites which you may find useful for finding interesting activities:
www.primaryresources.co.uk
www.magazines.scholastic.co.uk)

Look after the staff first. Kids come and go. Happy staff stay.

Have planned it all now - delivering it this week so wish me luck! Have provided lots of options for people so they can take control of decisions, and have provided a framework for the creative cross curricular elements (something our staff are struggling with!) - and hopefully fun, engaging activities for the children Am trying to help and aim for happy staff for happy kids, but really find it difficult when they don't see the benefit FOR THE CHILDREN - should staff like that stay...

Good luck and let us know how it goes. Give it time and the staff will hopefully come around. Sounds like you're really enthusiastic, so should rub off!

(By way, have changed my nickname - was formerly mary7b!)

Nice to see a positive healthy attitude towards your staff. Lovely irony.

Happy staff - get each child in each class to write down ONE thing they like about their teacher.

Compile list of children's 'likes' and give to each teacher to remind them that they're in it for the kids and the kids do actually like them!

(Idea nicked from Chicken Soup for the Soul)