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Around the UK, learners have been exclaiming the phrase “sixseven” during classes in the latest meme-based phenomenon to take over educational institutions.

Whereas some teachers have opted to stoically ignore the trend, some have embraced it. A group of teachers describe how they’re dealing.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

Earlier in September, I had been speaking with my eleventh grade students about studying for their GCSE exams in June. I don’t recall exactly what it was in reference to, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re aiming for results six, seven …” and the complete classroom burst out laughing. It caught me completely by surprise.

My first thought was that I had created an allusion to an inappropriate topic, or that they perceived a quality in my speech pattern that seemed humorous. A bit frustrated – but truly interested and aware that they weren’t malicious – I asked them to explain. Frankly speaking, the explanation they offered didn’t provide greater understanding – I still had little comprehension.

What could have made it extra funny was the evaluating movement I had executed while speaking. I have since found out that this frequently goes with ““sixseven”: I had intended it to aid in demonstrating the action of me speaking my mind.

To eliminate it I aim to bring it up as frequently as I can. No approach deflates a craze like this more thoroughly than an adult attempting to participate.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it assists so that you can steer clear of just accidentally making statements like “for example, there existed 6, 7 hundred jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the digit pairing is unpreventable, possessing a rock-solid school behaviour policy and requirements on student conduct really helps, as you can sanction it as you would any other disruption, but I haven’t actually been required to take that action. Rules are one thing, but if pupils accept what the learning environment is doing, they will remain less distracted by the internet crazes (at least in class periods).

Concerning sixseven, I haven’t wasted any teaching periods, except for an infrequent quizzical look and commenting ““indeed, those are numerals, excellent”. When you provide attention to it, it transforms into an inferno. I handle it in the identical manner I would handle any different interruption.

Earlier occurred the nine plus ten equals twenty-one craze a while back, and undoubtedly there will emerge another craze subsequently. This is typical youth activity. During my own childhood, it was imitating television personalities impersonations (truthfully outside the classroom).

Students are spontaneous, and I think it’s an adult’s job to behave in a manner that guides them in the direction of the direction that will enable them where they need to go, which, fingers crossed, is graduating with qualifications instead of a disciplinary record a mile long for the utilization of random numbers.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

The children employ it like a bonding chant in the recreation area: a pupil shouts it and the others respond to indicate they’re part of the equivalent circle. It’s similar to a interactive chant or a stadium slogan – an agreed language they use. I believe it has any specific importance to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. Regardless of what the latest craze is, they desire to experience belonging to it.

It’s forbidden in my learning environment, though – it’s a warning if they call it out – similar to any additional verbal interruption is. It’s particularly difficult in numeracy instruction. But my students at fifth grade are children aged nine to ten, so they’re relatively adherent to the rules, although I recognize that at teen education it may be a different matter.

I have worked as a teacher for fifteen years, and such trends last for a month or so. This trend will diminish shortly – this consistently happens, especially once their younger siblings commence repeating it and it ceases to be trendy. Afterward they shall be on to the following phenomenon.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I began observing it in August, while educating in English language at a foreign language school. It was mostly male students repeating it. I educated ages 12 to 18 and it was prevalent among the less experienced learners. I had no idea what it was at the time, but being twenty-four and I realised it was simply an internet trend similar to when I was at school.

The crazes are always shifting. ““Toilet meme” was a well-known trend at the time when I was at my teacher preparation program, but it didn’t particularly appear as frequently in the learning environment. Unlike “six-seven”, ““that particular meme” was not scribbled on the chalkboard in class, so students were less able to pick up on it.

I just ignore it, or periodically I will smile with the students if I inadvertently mention it, trying to empathise with them and appreciate that it’s simply pop culture. I believe they simply desire to feel that sense of belonging and camaraderie.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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