‘It’s impossible not to smile’: several UK educators on handling ‘‘67’ in the classroom

Around the UK, learners have been shouting out the words “sixseven” during instruction in the most recent meme-based trend to sweep across schools.

Although some instructors have chosen to patiently overlook the craze, different educators have incorporated it. A group of instructors describe how they’re coping.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

Earlier in September, I had been speaking with my secondary school students about studying for their secondary school examinations in June. It escapes me exactly what it was in reference to, but I said something like “ … if you’re working to results six, seven …” and the entire group burst out laughing. It surprised me completely by surprise.

My immediate assumption was that I’d made an hint at an inappropriate topic, or that they’d heard a quality in my accent that sounded funny. Slightly exasperated – but genuinely curious and mindful that they weren’t malicious – I asked them to explain. Honestly, the clarification they provided didn’t provide significant clarification – I remained with minimal understanding.

What possibly made it especially amusing was the considering gesture I had performed during speaking. I have since learned that this frequently goes with ““sixseven”: I meant it to help convey the process of me thinking aloud.

With the aim of end the trend I attempt to mention it as frequently as I can. No approach diminishes a craze like this more effectively than an teacher striving to get involved.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it assists so that you can steer clear of just blundering into statements like “indeed, there were 6, 7 hundred people without work in Germany in 1933”. When the digit pairing is unavoidable, possessing a firm classroom conduct rules and standards on student conduct really helps, as you can address it as you would any different disturbance, but I’ve not really had to do that. Guidelines are important, but if students buy into what the educational institution is doing, they’ll be more focused by the online trends (especially in class periods).

With 67, I haven’t lost any instructional minutes, aside from an occasional quizzical look and stating ““indeed, those are numerals, excellent”. Should you offer attention to it, it transforms into a wildfire. I treat it in the same way I would treat any different disruption.

Previously existed the mathematical meme trend a previous period, and certainly there will appear a different trend subsequently. It’s what kids do. Back when I was youth, it was imitating television personalities impressions (admittedly out of the learning space).

Young people are unforeseeable, and I think it’s an adult’s job to react in a manner that steers them back to the path that will help them to their educational goals, which, hopefully, is graduating with academic achievements instead of a conduct report lengthy for the utilization of random numbers.

‘Students desire belonging to a community’

The children utilize it like a bonding chant in the playground: a pupil shouts it and the other children answer to indicate they’re part of the same group. It’s like a interactive chant or a sports cheer – an shared vocabulary they share. I believe it has any particular meaning to them; they simply understand it’s a trend to say. Whatever the current trend is, they desire to feel part of it.

It’s forbidden in my classroom, though – it triggers a reminder if they call it out – just like any additional verbal interruption is. It’s especially tricky in numeracy instruction. But my students at fifth grade are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re fairly adherent to the guidelines, whereas I recognize that at high school it might be a different matter.

I have served as a teacher for 15 years, and these phenomena last for a few weeks. This phenomenon will diminish soon – this consistently happens, particularly once their junior family members start saying it and it ceases to be fashionable. Afterward they shall be engaged with the following phenomenon.

‘You just have to laugh with them’

I first detected it in August, while teaching English at a language institute. It was primarily young men saying it. I educated ages 12 to 18 and it was common with the junior students. I didn’t understand what it was at the time, but being twenty-four and I realised it was simply an internet trend similar to when I was a student.

These trends are always shifting. “Skibidi toilet” was a popular meme back when I was at my teacher preparation program, but it didn’t particularly appear as frequently in the learning environment. In contrast to “six-seven”, ““the skibidi trend” was not scribbled on the chalkboard in instruction, so students were less equipped to pick up on it.

I simply disregard it, or sometimes I will smile with the students if I accidentally say it, attempting to relate to them and appreciate that it is just pop culture. I believe they simply desire to experience that feeling of togetherness and companionship.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

I’ve done the {job|profession

Paul Taylor Jr.
Paul Taylor Jr.

Elara is a passionate storyteller and writing coach, dedicated to helping others unlock their creative potential through engaging narratives.