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Around the UK, learners have been shouting out the phrase ““six-seven” during lessons in the latest internet-inspired phenomenon to sweep across educational institutions.

Although some educators have decided to calmly disregard the craze, some have incorporated it. A group of teachers describe how they’re managing.

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

Back in September, I had been talking to my eleventh grade tutor group about getting ready for their secondary school examinations in June. I don’t recall exactly what it was in reference to, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re aiming for marks six, seven …” and the entire group started chuckling. It caught me completely by surprise.

My immediate assumption was that I had created an allusion to an inappropriate topic, or that they perceived something in my accent that seemed humorous. A bit frustrated – but truly interested and conscious that they weren’t trying to be hurtful – I got them to explain. Frankly speaking, the description they offered didn’t make much difference – I remained with no idea.

What possibly rendered it extra funny was the evaluating motion I had performed during speaking. Subsequently I discovered that this often accompanies ““67”: I meant it to assist in expressing the process of me speaking my mind.

To end the trend I try to bring it up as often as I can. No approach diminishes a phenomenon like this more thoroughly than an adult striving to participate.

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

Knowing about it aids so that you can steer clear of just unintentionally stating comments like “well, there were 6, 7 hundred unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. When the digit pairing is unavoidable, possessing a rock-solid classroom conduct rules and expectations on learner demeanor is advantageous, as you can sanction it as you would any additional interruption, but I’ve not really been required to take that action. Policies are important, but if learners buy into what the educational institution is doing, they will become more focused by the online trends (at least in instructional hours).

Regarding 67, I haven’t wasted any teaching periods, except for an periodic raised eyebrow and stating “yes, that’s a number, well done”. When you provide attention to it, it evolves into a blaze. I handle it in the same way I would treat any other interruption.

Earlier occurred the 9 + 10 = 21 craze a previous period, and there will no doubt be a different trend subsequently. This is typical youth activity. During my own childhood, it was imitating comedy characters mimicry (truthfully outside the learning space).

Children are spontaneous, and I think it falls to the teacher to respond in a approach that redirects them back to the path that will help them where they need to go, which, fingers crossed, is coming out with qualifications as opposed to a behaviour list extensive for the use of meaningless numerals.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

Students utilize it like a unifying phrase in the playground: one says it and the remaining students reply to indicate they’re part of the identical community. It’s similar to a call-and-response or a sports cheer – an agreed language they possess. I don’t think it has any distinct significance to them; they just know it’s a thing to say. Regardless of what the newest phenomenon is, they want to feel part of it.

It’s prohibited in my learning environment, however – it results in a caution if they exclaim it – similar to any additional calling out is. It’s notably challenging in maths lessons. But my pupils at primary level are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re relatively adherent to the regulations, although I appreciate that at high school it could be a different matter.

I have served as a teacher for 15 years, and such trends persist for three or four weeks. This phenomenon will diminish in the near future – this consistently happens, notably once their little brothers and sisters start saying it and it ceases to be fashionable. Afterward they shall be focused on the subsequent trend.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I first detected it in August, while teaching English at a international school. It was mostly male students saying it. I educated ages 12 to 18 and it was prevalent with the less experienced learners. I didn’t understand its meaning at the time, but I’m 24 years old and I realised it was simply an internet trend comparable to when I was a student.

Such phenomena are constantly changing. ““Toilet meme” was a popular meme at the time when I was at my educational institute, but it didn’t particularly occur as often in the classroom. Differing from ““sixseven”, “skibidi toilet” was never written on the whiteboard in class, so learners were less equipped to pick up on it.

I just ignore it, or occasionally I will laugh with them if I accidentally say it, trying to understand them and appreciate that it’s merely pop culture. I think they simply desire to experience that feeling of togetherness and companionship.

‘Lighthearted usage has diminished its occurrence’

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