‘It’s impossible not to smile’: five UK teachers on handling ‘six-seven’ in the classroom

Throughout the UK, learners have been calling out the phrase “sixseven” during classes in the newest viral trend to sweep across educational institutions.

While some educators have opted to patiently overlook the trend, different educators have incorporated it. Several instructors share how they’re managing.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

During September, I had been addressing my year 11 students about studying for their secondary school examinations in June. I can’t remember exactly what it was in connection with, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re targeting grades six, seven …” and the entire group burst out laughing. It surprised me entirely unexpectedly.

My initial reaction was that I might have delivered an reference to something rude, or that they detected a quality in my pronunciation that seemed humorous. Somewhat frustrated – but genuinely curious and aware that they had no intention of being mean – I got them to elaborate. To be honest, the clarification they offered didn’t make greater understanding – I remained with no idea.

What possibly made it especially amusing was the weighing-up gesture I had made while speaking. I have since learned that this frequently goes with ““67”: I had intended it to assist in expressing the action of me speaking my mind.

With the aim of eliminate it I attempt to bring it up as much as I can. No approach diminishes a craze like this more thoroughly than an teacher striving to participate.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it aids so that you can steer clear of just unintentionally stating statements like “indeed, there were 6, 7 thousand people without work in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the number combination is unpreventable, possessing a strong school behaviour policy and standards on learner demeanor is advantageous, as you can sanction it as you would any different interruption, but I rarely had to do that. Policies are important, but if learners buy into what the school is doing, they will remain less distracted by the internet crazes (particularly in class periods).

With sixseven, I haven’t wasted any instructional minutes, except for an infrequent quizzical look and saying “yes, that’s a number, well done”. When you provide focus on it, it transforms into a wildfire. I address it in the equivalent fashion I would manage any additional disruption.

Previously existed the mathematical meme trend a few years ago, and undoubtedly there will emerge a new phenomenon subsequently. This is typical youth activity. Back when I was childhood, it was performing television personalities impersonations (truthfully out of the learning space).

Children are spontaneous, and In my opinion it’s an adult’s job to behave in a manner that steers them in the direction of the direction that will enable them where they need to go, which, fingers crossed, is completing their studies with qualifications rather than a behaviour list extensive for the employment of arbitrary digits.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

Students employ it like a connecting expression in the recreation area: a student calls it and the others respond to show they are the equivalent circle. It’s similar to a call-and-response or a sports cheer – an common expression they possess. In my view it has any distinct meaning to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. Regardless of what the newest phenomenon is, they want to be included in it.

It’s forbidden in my teaching space, nevertheless – it results in a caution if they shout it out – just like any additional verbal interruption is. It’s particularly difficult in mathematics classes. But my class at primary level are pre-teens, so they’re quite accepting of the guidelines, although I recognize that at high school it may be a distinct scenario.

I’ve been a educator for fifteen years, and these phenomena persist for three or four weeks. This craze will die out soon – it invariably occurs, particularly once their little brothers and sisters commence repeating it and it ceases to be fashionable. Then they’ll be engaged with the following phenomenon.

‘You just have to laugh with them’

I started noticing it in August, while instructing in English at a language institute. It was mainly young men saying it. I instructed ages 12 to 18 and it was common within the younger pupils. I was unaware what it was at the time, but being twenty-four and I realised it was simply an internet trend comparable to when I attended classes.

Such phenomena are continuously evolving. ““Skibidi” was a popular meme during the period when I was at my training school, but it didn’t particularly appear as frequently in the classroom. Differing from ““sixseven”, ““the skibidi trend” was not scribbled on the whiteboard in instruction, so students were less able to pick up on it.

I simply disregard it, or sometimes I will chuckle alongside them if I inadvertently mention it, attempting to empathise with them and appreciate that it’s merely pop culture. I believe they simply desire to feel that sense of belonging and friendship.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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Zachary Moore
Zachary Moore

A seasoned travel writer with a passion for uncovering hidden gems and sharing cultural insights from around the globe.