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Around the UK, learners have been shouting out the words “sixseven” during lessons in the most recent internet-inspired phenomenon to take over schools.

Although some educators have decided to patiently overlook the trend, some have embraced it. Several instructors describe how they’re coping.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

Back in September, I had been talking to my year 11 class about studying for their secondary school examinations in June. I don’t recall exactly what it was in relation to, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re targeting marks six, seven …” and the whole class erupted in laughter. It surprised me entirely unexpectedly.

My first thought was that I’d made an hint at an inappropriate topic, or that they’d heard an element of my speech pattern that sounded funny. Slightly frustrated – but honestly intrigued and aware that they weren’t trying to be malicious – I got them to elaborate. To be honest, the clarification they then gave didn’t provide much difference – I continued to have little comprehension.

What possibly rendered it particularly humorous was the evaluating gesture I had made while speaking. I later learned that this typically pairs with ““67”: I meant it to aid in demonstrating the act of me verbalizing thoughts.

To kill it off I attempt to mention it as often as I can. Nothing deflates a trend like this more effectively than an grown-up striving to participate.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Knowing about it assists so that you can avoid just unintentionally stating comments like “for example, there existed 6, 7 hundred unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. If the numerical sequence is unpreventable, possessing a firm student discipline system and expectations on student conduct is advantageous, as you can address it as you would any different disturbance, but I haven’t actually been required to take that action. Policies are necessary, but if learners embrace what the learning environment is doing, they will become less distracted by the viral phenomena (at least in instructional hours).

Regarding six-seven, I haven’t sacrificed any lesson time, except for an occasional raised eyebrow and commenting “yes, that’s a number, well done”. Should you offer focus on it, it evolves into a wildfire. I treat it in the identical manner I would manage any additional disturbance.

Earlier occurred the nine plus ten equals twenty-one trend a previous period, and certainly there will appear another craze following this. It’s what kids do. Back when I was youth, it was performing Kevin and Perry impressions (admittedly out of the classroom).

Young people are spontaneous, and I believe it falls to the teacher to behave in a manner that redirects them toward the path that will get them toward their academic objectives, which, hopefully, is coming out with academic achievements as opposed to a disciplinary record extensive for the use of arbitrary digits.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

The children employ it like a unifying phrase in the recreation area: one says it and the others respond to show they are the identical community. It resembles a verbal exchange or a football chant – an agreed language they possess. I believe it has any distinct meaning to them; they simply understand it’s a trend to say. No matter what the current trend is, they seek to be included in it.

It’s forbidden in my learning environment, though – it triggers a reminder if they call it out – just like any different shouting out is. It’s particularly challenging in maths lessons. But my pupils at fifth grade are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re quite compliant with the rules, although I understand that at secondary [school] it could be a distinct scenario.

I have worked as a instructor for 15 years, and these crazes continue for a few weeks. This trend will die out shortly – it invariably occurs, especially once their little brothers and sisters begin using it and it ceases to be cool. Afterward they shall be engaged with the next thing.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I began observing it in August, while teaching English at a foreign language school. It was mainly male students uttering it. I taught ages 12 to 18 and it was common among the younger pupils. I didn’t understand its significance at the time, but as a young adult and I recognized it was just a meme comparable to when I was a student.

Such phenomena are constantly changing. ““Toilet meme” was a familiar phenomenon back when I was at my teacher preparation program, but it didn’t really appear as frequently in the educational setting. Unlike ““sixseven”, ““the skibidi trend” was not inscribed on the chalkboard in lessons, so students were less prepared to adopt it.

I just ignore it, or periodically I will chuckle alongside them if I unintentionally utter it, trying to understand them and recognize that it’s simply youth culture. In my opinion they just want to feel that sense of togetherness and friendship.

‘Lighthearted usage has diminished its occurrence’

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