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Around the UK, students have been calling out the phrase “sixseven” during instruction in the latest internet-inspired trend to spread through educational institutions.

Whereas some teachers have decided to stoically ignore the trend, some have embraced it. Several educators share how they’re coping.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

Back in September, I had been addressing my secondary school students about studying for their GCSE exams in June. I can’t remember precisely what it was in reference to, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re aiming for marks six, seven …” and the complete classroom erupted in laughter. It caught me totally off guard.

My first thought was that I’d made an hint at something rude, or that they detected a quality in my pronunciation that sounded funny. Slightly annoyed – but genuinely curious and aware that they had no intention of being hurtful – I persuaded them to elaborate. To be honest, the explanation they offered failed to create significant clarification – I continued to have minimal understanding.

What could have caused it to be especially amusing was the evaluating gesture I had performed during speaking. I have since found out that this often accompanies ““67”: I meant it to help convey the process of me verbalizing thoughts.

In order to eliminate it I try to mention it as much as I can. No approach reduces a trend like this more effectively than an grown-up attempting to join in.

‘If you give oxygen to it, then it becomes an inferno’

Being aware of it assists so that you can avoid just accidentally making comments like “well, there were 6, 7 million unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. If the digit pairing is unavoidable, possessing a strong classroom conduct rules and standards on student conduct really helps, as you can sanction it as you would any other disruption, but I’ve not really needed to implement that. Policies are one thing, but if students accept what the learning environment is doing, they will remain less distracted by the online trends (especially in class periods).

Regarding six-seven, I haven’t lost any lesson time, aside from an periodic raised eyebrow and saying ““correct, those are digits, good job”. When you provide focus on it, it transforms into a blaze. I address it in the equivalent fashion I would manage any additional disruption.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme phenomenon a few years ago, and undoubtedly there will emerge another craze subsequently. It’s what kids do. When I was growing up, it was imitating comedy characters mimicry (truthfully outside the school environment).

Young people are unforeseeable, and In my opinion it falls to the teacher to behave in a way that steers them in the direction of the path that will enable them where they need to go, which, hopefully, is graduating with qualifications rather than a conduct report extensive for the use of meaningless numerals.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

Students use it like a bonding chant in the recreation area: a student calls it and the others respond to show they are the same group. It’s similar to a verbal exchange or a sports cheer – an shared vocabulary they use. I believe it has any specific significance to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. No matter what the current trend is, they desire to experience belonging to it.

It’s forbidden in my classroom, however – it results in a caution if they exclaim it – similar to any additional shouting out is. It’s notably challenging in numeracy instruction. But my students at primary level are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re fairly compliant with the regulations, while I understand that at teen education it might be a different matter.

I have worked as a instructor for fifteen years, and these crazes last for three or four weeks. This phenomenon will fade away in the near future – it invariably occurs, particularly once their junior family members begin using it and it stops being cool. Subsequently they will be engaged with the following phenomenon.

‘Occasionally sharing the humor is essential’

I first detected it in August, while educating in English language at a international school. It was mostly boys saying it. I educated students from twelve to eighteen and it was widespread among the less experienced learners. I didn’t understand its significance at the time, but being twenty-four and I recognized it was merely a viral phenomenon akin to when I attended classes.

These trends are constantly changing. ““Toilet meme” was a popular meme back when I was at my educational institute, but it didn’t particularly appear as frequently in the classroom. In contrast to ““67”, ““the skibidi trend” was never written on the chalkboard in lessons, so pupils were less prepared to embrace it.

I typically overlook it, or periodically I will smile with the students if I unintentionally utter it, attempting to understand them and recognize that it is just contemporary trends. In my opinion they merely seek to experience that feeling of belonging and companionship.

‘Playfully shouting it means I rarely hear it now’

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