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

Across the UK, students have been shouting out the words ““67” during classes in the latest meme-based phenomenon to take over classrooms.

While some teachers have decided to patiently overlook the trend, others have accepted it. Several teachers share how they’re managing.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

Earlier in September, I had been talking to my eleventh grade students about preparing for their GCSE exams in June. I can’t remember precisely what it was in connection with, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re targeting results six, seven …” and the entire group erupted in laughter. It took me completely by surprise.

My immediate assumption was that I’d made an hint at something rude, or that they detected a quality in my accent that seemed humorous. Somewhat frustrated – but genuinely curious and aware that they had no intention of being malicious – I asked them to elaborate. Honestly, the description they then gave failed to create much difference – I still had no idea.

What might have rendered it particularly humorous was the evaluating gesture I had executed while speaking. I have since discovered that this frequently goes with ““sixseven”: I meant it to assist in expressing the act of me speaking my mind.

With the aim of end the trend I attempt to bring it up as much as I can. No approach reduces a phenomenon like this more emphatically than an adult striving to participate.

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

Knowing about it aids so that you can prevent just blundering into remarks like “well, there were 6, 7 hundred jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. When the numerical sequence is inevitable, having a strong student discipline system and standards on learner demeanor proves beneficial, as you can sanction it as you would any different disturbance, but I’ve not really been required to take that action. Rules are important, but if pupils embrace what the educational institution is practicing, they will remain less distracted by the internet crazes (particularly in instructional hours).

With sixseven, I haven’t sacrificed any teaching periods, aside from an infrequent quizzical look and stating ““indeed, those are numerals, excellent”. If you give oxygen to it, it transforms into a blaze. I handle it in the identical manner I would treat any other disturbance.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme phenomenon a while back, and certainly there will appear another craze following this. That’s children’s behavior. When I was childhood, it was doing Kevin and Perry impersonations (admittedly outside the classroom).

Young people are unforeseeable, and In my opinion it falls to the teacher to respond in a approach that redirects them back to the course that will enable them toward their academic objectives, which, hopefully, is completing their studies with academic achievements rather than a conduct report extensive for the use of random numbers.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

Young learners use it like a bonding chant in the schoolyard: one says it and the others respond to indicate they’re part of the same group. It’s like a interactive chant or a stadium slogan – an agreed language they use. I don’t think it has any distinct meaning to them; they merely recognize it’s a trend to say. Whatever the latest craze is, they desire to be included in it.

It’s prohibited in my learning environment, though – it triggers a reminder if they exclaim it – similar to any additional verbal interruption is. It’s notably challenging in maths lessons. But my class at primary level are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re relatively compliant with the guidelines, while I understand that at teen education it may be a distinct scenario.

I’ve been a educator for a decade and a half, and these phenomena last for a few weeks. This phenomenon will diminish shortly – it invariably occurs, particularly once their little brothers and sisters start saying it and it ceases to be cool. Then they’ll be on to the subsequent trend.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I began observing it in August, while teaching English at a international school. It was mostly male students repeating it. I educated students from twelve to eighteen and it was common with the younger pupils. I had no idea its meaning at the time, but I’m 24 years old and I realised it was simply an internet trend comparable to when I was a student.

Such phenomena are constantly changing. ““Skibidi” was a well-known trend back when I was at my educational institute, but it didn’t really exist as much in the educational setting. Unlike ““sixseven”, ““that particular meme” was not inscribed on the chalkboard in class, so pupils were less able to adopt it.

I just ignore it, or periodically I will chuckle alongside them if I unintentionally utter it, attempting to relate to them and recognize that it’s simply pop culture. In my opinion they merely seek to enjoy that sensation of community and companionship.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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Kendra Rodriguez
Kendra Rodriguez

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on society.