🔗 Share this article

Throughout the UK, learners have been calling out the expression “sixseven” during classes in the newest internet-inspired craze to sweep across schools.

While some instructors have chosen to calmly disregard the craze, some have embraced it. Five educators explain how they’re coping.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

Back in September, I had been speaking with my secondary school students about studying for their secondary school examinations in June. I can’t remember specifically what it was in connection with, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re targeting grades six, seven …” and the complete classroom erupted in laughter. It took me completely by surprise.

My first thought was that I might have delivered an allusion to an offensive subject, or that they’d heard an element of my accent that appeared amusing. Somewhat annoyed – but genuinely curious and aware that they weren’t trying to be hurtful – I got them to elaborate. To be honest, the clarification they offered didn’t make greater understanding – I still had no idea.

What could have rendered it particularly humorous was the weighing-up motion I had executed while speaking. Subsequently I discovered that this frequently goes with ““sixseven”: I meant it to help convey the process of me speaking my mind.

To eliminate it I attempt to mention it as frequently as I can. Nothing diminishes a craze like this more effectively than an teacher striving to get involved.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Knowing about it helps so that you can avoid just accidentally making statements like “indeed, there were 6, 7 million people without work in Germany in 1933”. When the number combination is inevitable, having a rock-solid student discipline system and expectations on pupil behavior is advantageous, as you can sanction it as you would any other disruption, but I’ve not really needed to implement that. Guidelines are one thing, but if learners buy into what the school is implementing, they will become less distracted by the online trends (at least in class periods).

Regarding 67, I haven’t sacrificed any teaching periods, except for an periodic eyebrow raise and commenting “yes, that’s a number, well done”. Should you offer attention to it, then it becomes a blaze. I address it in the same way I would treat any other disruption.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme trend a few years ago, and there will no doubt be a different trend following this. It’s what kids do. During my own childhood, it was imitating comedy characters impersonations (honestly out of the school environment).

Students are spontaneous, and I believe it’s an adult’s job to respond in a approach that steers them back to the path that will help them toward their academic objectives, which, fingers crossed, is graduating with qualifications instead of a conduct report extensive for the use of random numbers.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

The children use it like a unifying phrase in the recreation area: a student calls it and the others respond to show they are the same group. It resembles a interactive chant or a sports cheer – an shared vocabulary they use. I believe it has any specific meaning to them; they merely recognize it’s a phenomenon to say. Regardless of what the newest phenomenon is, they want to experience belonging to it.

It’s forbidden in my teaching space, however – it results in a caution if they exclaim it – just like any other shouting out is. It’s notably challenging in maths lessons. But my pupils at fifth grade are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re relatively compliant with the guidelines, although I recognize that at secondary [school] it might be a separate situation.

I have worked as a teacher for a decade and a half, and these phenomena last for three or four weeks. This phenomenon will fade away soon – it invariably occurs, especially once their little brothers and sisters commence repeating it and it ceases to be trendy. Then they’ll be focused on the subsequent trend.

‘You just have to laugh with them’

I first detected it in August, while teaching English at a international school. It was primarily young men saying it. I instructed students from twelve to eighteen and it was prevalent within the less experienced learners. I had no idea what it was at the time, but I’m 24 years old and I understood it was just a meme akin to when I attended classes.

These trends are constantly changing. ““Toilet meme” was a popular meme back when I was at my training school, but it failed to appear as frequently in the classroom. In contrast to ““67”, “skibidi toilet” was not inscribed on the whiteboard in lessons, so pupils were less prepared to pick up on it.

I just ignore it, or occasionally I will chuckle alongside them if I accidentally say it, striving to relate to them and appreciate that it’s simply youth culture. I believe they simply desire to enjoy that sensation of belonging and companionship.

‘Lighthearted usage has diminished its occurrence’

I have performed the {job|profession