‘You just have to laugh’: a quintet of UK teachers on coping with ‘six-seven’ in the school environment

Across the UK, students have been shouting out the words “sixseven” during lessons in the most recent meme-based phenomenon to sweep across educational institutions.

Whereas some teachers have chosen to patiently overlook the craze, different educators have accepted it. A group of instructors share how they’re coping.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

Back in September, I had been talking to my secondary school students about preparing for their GCSE exams in June. I don’t recall precisely what it was in connection with, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re targeting marks six, seven …” and the entire group started chuckling. It took me completely by surprise.

My immediate assumption was that I’d made an allusion to something rude, or that they perceived something in my accent that sounded funny. Somewhat annoyed – but honestly intrigued and aware that they weren’t malicious – I asked them to clarify. Honestly, the explanation they offered failed to create greater understanding – I remained with no idea.

What possibly rendered it extra funny was the evaluating gesture I had performed during speaking. Subsequently I found out that this often accompanies ““67”: I meant it to aid in demonstrating the action of me speaking my mind.

With the aim of eliminate it I attempt to mention it as frequently as I can. No approach reduces a trend like this more thoroughly than an adult attempting to get involved.

‘Feeding the trend creates a blaze’

Being aware of it assists so that you can avoid just unintentionally stating statements like “for example, there existed 6, 7 million jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. If the numerical sequence is unpreventable, having a strong school behaviour policy and requirements on learner demeanor is advantageous, as you can deal with it as you would any other disruption, but I haven’t actually been required to take that action. Rules are necessary, but if pupils accept what the school is practicing, they’ll be less distracted by the online trends (especially in lesson time).

With six-seven, I haven’t wasted any lesson time, except for an periodic raised eyebrow and commenting ““indeed, those are numerals, excellent”. When you provide focus on it, then it becomes a wildfire. I handle it in the identical manner I would handle any other interruption.

Earlier occurred the 9 + 10 = 21 phenomenon a previous period, and there will no doubt be a different trend after this. This is typical youth activity. During my own childhood, it was imitating comedy characters impersonations (admittedly away from the classroom).

Young people are unpredictable, and I think it falls to the teacher to behave in a way that redirects them back to the direction that will help them where they need to go, which, fingers crossed, is completing their studies with academic achievements instead of a disciplinary record a mile long for the use of meaningless numerals.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

Young learners employ it like a connecting expression in the schoolyard: one says it and the remaining students reply to show they are the equivalent circle. It resembles a interactive chant or a sports cheer – an agreed language they use. I believe it has any specific importance to them; they merely recognize it’s a thing to say. Whatever the current trend is, they seek to feel part of it.

It’s prohibited in my classroom, though – it’s a warning if they exclaim it – identical to any other verbal interruption is. It’s notably tricky in mathematics classes. But my class at primary level are children aged nine to ten, so they’re quite compliant with the regulations, although I recognize that at teen education it could be a distinct scenario.

I have served as a instructor for fifteen years, and such trends last for three or four weeks. This craze will die out soon – they always do, especially once their little brothers and sisters begin using it and it’s no longer cool. Then they’ll be on to the following phenomenon.

‘Occasionally sharing the humor is essential’

I started noticing it in August, while instructing in English at a language institute. It was primarily young men uttering it. I educated students from twelve to eighteen and it was common with the junior students. I was unaware what it was at the time, but as a young adult and I recognized it was merely a viral phenomenon akin to when I attended classes.

The crazes are always shifting. “Skibidi toilet” was a well-known trend back when I was at my teacher preparation program, but it failed to exist as much in the classroom. In contrast to ““67”, ““that particular meme” was never written on the chalkboard in lessons, so learners were less prepared to embrace it.

I just ignore it, or sometimes I will smile with the students if I inadvertently mention it, trying to relate to them and appreciate that it’s simply contemporary trends. I think they just want to enjoy that sensation of togetherness and camaraderie.

‘Playfully shouting it means I rarely hear it now’

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Brenda Middleton
Brenda Middleton

An avid mountain biker and outdoor writer with over a decade of experience exploring trails across Europe.

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