‘It’s impossible not to smile’: a quintet of UK teachers on handling ‘six-seven’ in the school environment

Across the UK, learners have been shouting out the phrase ““67” during classes in the newest internet-inspired craze to take over educational institutions.

Whereas some teachers have chosen to patiently overlook the craze, different educators have incorporated it. Several instructors share how they’re managing.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

During September, I had been addressing my year 11 students about getting ready for their secondary school examinations in June. It escapes me exactly what it was in reference to, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re aiming for marks six, seven …” and the whole class started chuckling. It took me totally off guard.

My first thought was that I had created an reference to something rude, or that they’d heard an element of my pronunciation that appeared amusing. Slightly frustrated – but truly interested and aware that they had no intention of being malicious – I persuaded them to clarify. Honestly, the explanation they then gave didn’t provide much difference – I continued to have no idea.

What might have rendered it particularly humorous was the evaluating motion I had executed while speaking. I later found out that this frequently goes with “six-seven”: I had intended it to assist in expressing the process of me speaking my mind.

With the aim of end the trend I try to mention it as frequently as I can. Nothing deflates a phenomenon like this more emphatically than an teacher striving to join in.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Understanding it assists so that you can avoid just unintentionally stating statements like “well, there were 6, 7 thousand unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. When the numerical sequence is unavoidable, maintaining a strong student discipline system and requirements on student conduct is advantageous, as you can sanction it as you would any different interruption, but I rarely needed to implement that. Policies are important, but if learners accept what the learning environment is doing, they will remain more focused by the online trends (at least in class periods).

Regarding six-seven, I haven’t lost any lesson time, except for an periodic raised eyebrow and commenting “yes, that’s a number, well done”. Should you offer focus on it, then it becomes a blaze. I address it in the identical manner I would handle any other disruption.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme trend a few years ago, and there will no doubt be a new phenomenon after this. It’s what kids do. Back when I was childhood, it was performing comedy characters impersonations (honestly outside the school environment).

Children are unpredictable, and I believe it falls to the teacher to respond in a manner that steers them toward the path that will help them toward their academic objectives, which, with luck, is completing their studies with academic achievements rather than a disciplinary record lengthy for the utilization of random numbers.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

The children employ it like a connecting expression in the recreation area: a student calls it and the others respond to show they are the same group. It resembles a verbal exchange or a stadium slogan – an shared vocabulary they possess. I don’t think it has any particular meaning to them; they just know it’s a phenomenon to say. Whatever the latest craze is, they want to experience belonging to it.

It’s banned in my learning environment, however – it triggers a reminder if they shout it out – just like any different verbal interruption is. It’s particularly difficult in mathematics classes. But my class at primary level are children aged nine to ten, so they’re quite adherent to the rules, whereas I appreciate that at secondary [school] it could be a separate situation.

I have served as a educator for 15 years, and these crazes last for a few weeks. This craze will die out in the near future – it invariably occurs, notably once their little brothers and sisters begin using it and it’s no longer fashionable. Afterward they shall be on to the next thing.

‘Occasionally sharing the humor is essential’

I started noticing it in August, while educating in English language at a international school. It was mainly male students saying it. I taught ages 12 to 18 and it was prevalent among the less experienced learners. I was unaware its meaning at the time, but as a young adult and I understood it was simply an internet trend similar to when I was a student.

Such phenomena are always shifting. ““Toilet meme” was a popular meme during the period when I was at my training school, but it failed to exist as much in the classroom. Differing from ““sixseven”, “skibidi toilet” was not inscribed on the board in lessons, so students were less prepared to embrace it.

I typically overlook it, or occasionally I will laugh with them if I inadvertently mention it, striving to empathise with them and recognize that it’s simply youth culture. I believe they merely seek to feel that sense of belonging and friendship.

‘Lighthearted usage has diminished its occurrence’

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Claire Byrd
Claire Byrd

A passionate gamer and writer with over a decade of experience in esports and game development, sharing insights to help players excel.