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Throughout the UK, students have been calling out the expression “sixseven” during instruction in the most recent meme-based phenomenon to take over classrooms.

Although some educators have chosen to stoically ignore the phenomenon, others have incorporated it. A group of educators share how they’re dealing.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

Earlier in September, I had been talking to my year 11 tutor group about studying for their qualification tests in June. I don’t recall precisely what it was in connection with, but I said something like “ … if you’re working to marks six, seven …” and the whole class erupted in laughter. It took me totally off guard.

My immediate assumption was that I had created an hint at something rude, or that they perceived something in my speech pattern that appeared amusing. Slightly frustrated – but truly interested and mindful that they weren’t trying to be hurtful – I got them to explain. Frankly speaking, the explanation they then gave didn’t provide greater understanding – I continued to have little comprehension.

What possibly rendered it extra funny was the considering movement I had performed during speaking. Subsequently I learned that this typically pairs with “six-seven”: My purpose was it to aid in demonstrating the act of me speaking my mind.

To eliminate it I attempt to reference it as much as I can. Nothing reduces a trend like this more emphatically than an grown-up attempting to join in.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Knowing about it assists so that you can steer clear of just unintentionally stating remarks like “indeed, there were 6, 7 thousand jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. If the number combination is unavoidable, possessing a rock-solid student discipline system and standards on student conduct really helps, as you can address it as you would any other disruption, but I’ve not really been required to take that action. Policies are important, but if students accept what the learning environment is doing, they will remain more focused by the internet crazes (especially in instructional hours).

With sixseven, I haven’t sacrificed any instructional minutes, other than for an periodic raised eyebrow and stating ““correct, those are digits, good job”. If you give oxygen to it, it transforms into a blaze. I address it in the equivalent fashion I would handle any additional interruption.

Previously existed the 9 + 10 = 21 trend a few years ago, and certainly there will appear a different trend after this. It’s what kids do. Back when I was growing up, it was imitating Kevin and Perry impressions (admittedly away from the school environment).

Children are unforeseeable, and In my opinion it’s an adult’s job to behave in a way that steers them back to the path that will enable them to their educational goals, which, fingers crossed, is completing their studies with qualifications instead of a conduct report a mile long for the utilization of meaningless numerals.

‘Students desire belonging to a community’

Students employ it like a unifying phrase in the schoolyard: one says it and the other children answer to show they are the equivalent circle. It resembles a interactive chant or a football chant – an common expression they share. I believe it has any specific importance to them; they just know it’s a phenomenon to say. Whatever the newest phenomenon is, they want to feel part of it.

It’s banned in my classroom, though – it triggers a reminder if they shout it out – similar to any different verbal interruption is. It’s especially tricky in mathematics classes. But my students at fifth grade are pre-teens, so they’re fairly adherent to the rules, whereas I appreciate that at secondary [school] it might be a different matter.

I’ve been a teacher for 15 years, and these phenomena last for three or four weeks. This trend will diminish in the near future – they always do, notably once their little brothers and sisters begin using it and it’s no longer trendy. Then they’ll be focused on the subsequent trend.

‘Occasionally sharing the humor is essential’

I began observing it in August, while educating in English language at a language institute. It was mainly young men saying it. I taught students from twelve to eighteen and it was widespread within the junior students. I was unaware what it was at the time, but as a young adult and I realised it was merely a viral phenomenon comparable to when I was at school.

The crazes are continuously evolving. ““Toilet meme” was a familiar phenomenon at the time when I was at my training school, but it didn’t particularly appear as frequently in the classroom. Differing from ““67”, ““that particular meme” was not inscribed on the whiteboard in class, so students were less equipped to adopt it.

I simply disregard it, or periodically I will laugh with them if I unintentionally utter it, trying to empathise with them and appreciate that it’s merely contemporary trends. I think they merely seek to feel that sense of togetherness and companionship.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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