‘Sometimes you’ve got to chuckle’: a quintet of UK educators on coping with ‘six-seven’ in the school environment

Throughout the UK, school pupils have been calling out the words ““67” during classes in the latest meme-based trend to spread through classrooms.

While some teachers have decided to patiently overlook the phenomenon, different educators have incorporated it. Several educators share how they’re managing.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

Back in September, I had been speaking with my year 11 tutor group about preparing for their GCSE exams in June. I don’t recall specifically what it was in connection with, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re working to marks six, seven …” and the entire group erupted in laughter. It surprised me completely by surprise.

My immediate assumption was that I’d made an allusion to an inappropriate topic, or that they perceived a quality in my pronunciation that seemed humorous. A bit frustrated – but genuinely curious and conscious that they weren’t trying to be hurtful – I got them to explain. To be honest, the description they provided failed to create greater understanding – I continued to have minimal understanding.

What possibly made it extra funny was the evaluating gesture I had performed during speaking. Subsequently I learned that this typically pairs with ““sixseven”: I meant it to aid in demonstrating the action of me thinking aloud.

In order to eliminate it I attempt to mention it as much as I can. No approach reduces a craze like this more effectively than an grown-up attempting to get involved.

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

Being aware of it assists so that you can avoid just blundering into comments like “well, there were 6, 7 hundred jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. When the digit pairing is inevitable, maintaining a strong student discipline system and standards on learner demeanor proves beneficial, as you can address it as you would any different disruption, but I’ve not really been required to take that action. Guidelines are necessary, but if students buy into what the school is practicing, they will become more focused by the viral phenomena (particularly in lesson time).

Concerning sixseven, I haven’t sacrificed any lesson time, other than for an infrequent eyebrow raise and stating “yes, that’s a number, well done”. If you give focus on it, then it becomes a blaze. I treat it in the identical manner I would treat any other disturbance.

There was the mathematical meme trend a while back, and undoubtedly there will emerge another craze following this. It’s what kids do. Back when I was childhood, it was performing Kevin and Perry impressions (admittedly outside the learning space).

Students are unforeseeable, and In my opinion it’s an adult’s job to respond in a manner that redirects them back to the path that will get them where they need to go, which, fingers crossed, is coming out with certificates as opposed to a conduct report extensive for the utilization of random numbers.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

Young learners use it like a unifying phrase in the playground: a student calls it and the others respond to indicate they’re part of the equivalent circle. It’s like a call-and-response or a sports cheer – an common expression they use. In my view it has any specific significance to them; they just know it’s a phenomenon to say. Regardless of what the current trend is, they desire to feel part of it.

It’s banned in my learning environment, nevertheless – it results in a caution if they call it out – identical to any additional verbal interruption is. It’s notably difficult in mathematics classes. But my pupils at primary level are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re fairly adherent to the rules, although I understand that at high school it might be a different matter.

I have worked as a instructor for 15 years, and these crazes last for a month or so. This craze will fade away soon – it invariably occurs, notably once their younger siblings commence repeating it and it’s no longer fashionable. Subsequently they will be engaged with the following phenomenon.

‘You just have to laugh with them’

I first detected it in August, while teaching English at a language institute. It was primarily boys uttering it. I instructed teenagers and it was widespread within the less experienced learners. I had no idea its meaning at the time, but I’m 24 years old and I recognized it was merely a viral phenomenon similar to when I was a student.

Such phenomena are always shifting. ““Skibidi” was a well-known trend back when I was at my training school, but it failed to exist as much in the classroom. In contrast to “six-seven”, “skibidi toilet” was never written on the chalkboard in lessons, so students were less equipped to pick up on it.

I just ignore it, or periodically I will chuckle alongside them if I unintentionally utter it, striving to understand them and appreciate that it’s simply contemporary trends. I believe they simply desire to feel that sense of togetherness and companionship.

‘Lighthearted usage has diminished its occurrence’

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Kyle Richard
Kyle Richard

Elara is a seasoned writer and lifestyle expert, passionate about sharing actionable advice to help readers navigate life's challenges with confidence.