‘You just have to laugh’: five UK teachers on handling ‘‘sixseven’ in the school environment

Around the UK, students have been exclaiming the words ““67” during classes in the newest viral phenomenon to sweep across schools.

Although some educators have opted to stoically ignore the trend, different educators have incorporated it. A group of instructors describe how they’re dealing.

‘My initial assumption was that I’d uttered something offensive’

Earlier in September, I had been speaking with my year 11 students about studying for their qualification tests in June. It escapes me specifically what it was in reference to, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re working to marks six, seven …” and the whole class erupted in laughter. It took me totally off guard.

My first thought was that I’d made an hint at an inappropriate topic, or that they detected a quality in my accent that seemed humorous. Slightly exasperated – but truly interested and mindful that they weren’t trying to be mean – I asked them to explain. Frankly speaking, the description they then gave failed to create much difference – I remained with minimal understanding.

What might have made it particularly humorous was the weighing-up motion I had performed during speaking. I have since discovered that this often accompanies “six-seven”: I had intended it to help convey the act of me thinking aloud.

To eliminate it I aim to mention it as often as I can. Nothing diminishes a trend like this more emphatically than an grown-up attempting to get involved.

‘Feeding the trend creates a blaze’

Understanding it helps so that you can steer clear of just blundering into remarks like “well, there were 6, 7 thousand unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. When the number combination is unavoidable, possessing a firm student discipline system and standards on student conduct is advantageous, as you can deal with it as you would any additional disturbance, but I haven’t actually been required to take that action. Rules are necessary, but if pupils buy into what the school is doing, they will remain better concentrated by the internet crazes (at least in class periods).

Regarding sixseven, I haven’t wasted any instructional minutes, except for an periodic quizzical look and stating ““correct, those are digits, good job”. When you provide attention to it, it evolves into a blaze. I address it in the identical manner I would handle any other interruption.

Previously existed the 9 + 10 = 21 craze a previous period, and certainly there will appear a new phenomenon following this. It’s what kids do. When I was childhood, it was performing Kevin and Perry mimicry (admittedly away from the learning space).

Children are unforeseeable, and In my opinion it falls to the teacher to react in a way that redirects them back to the path that will get them to their educational goals, which, with luck, is coming out with qualifications instead of a behaviour list lengthy for the employment of meaningless numerals.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

The children use it like a unifying phrase in the playground: a student calls it and the other children answer to demonstrate they belong to the same group. It’s similar to a verbal exchange or a stadium slogan – an agreed language they possess. I don’t think it has any distinct significance to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. Regardless of what the current trend is, they want to feel part of it.

It’s banned in my teaching space, nevertheless – it’s a warning if they call it out – just like any other calling out is. It’s especially difficult in mathematics classes. But my pupils at year 5 are children aged nine to ten, so they’re quite adherent to the regulations, whereas I recognize that at teen education it might be a different matter.

I have served as a instructor for a decade and a half, and these crazes continue for a few weeks. This trend will diminish in the near future – it invariably occurs, especially once their junior family members start saying it and it ceases to be cool. Subsequently they will be on to the next thing.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I started noticing it in August, while instructing in English at a language institute. It was primarily male students uttering it. I taught ages 12 to 18 and it was common among the younger pupils. I didn’t understand its meaning at the time, but as a young adult and I recognized it was merely a viral phenomenon comparable to when I was at school.

The crazes are continuously evolving. ““Skibidi” was a popular meme at the time when I was at my educational institute, but it failed to exist as much in the educational setting. Unlike “six-seven”, ““the skibidi trend” was never written on the board in class, so pupils were less prepared to pick up on it.

I typically overlook it, or periodically I will smile with the students if I accidentally say it, attempting to relate to them and recognize that it is just pop culture. I believe they simply desire to enjoy that sensation of community and camaraderie.

‘Playfully shouting it means I rarely hear it now’

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Travis Hurley
Travis Hurley

A seasoned tech journalist and digital strategist with a passion for uncovering emerging trends and simplifying complex topics for readers.