‘You just have to laugh’: five UK teachers on dealing with ‘‘sixseven’ in the educational setting

Around the UK, students have been exclaiming the expression ““six-seven” during lessons in the newest internet-inspired craze to spread through educational institutions.

Although some educators have decided to calmly disregard the craze, some have embraced it. Several instructors describe how they’re dealing.

‘My initial assumption was that I’d uttered something offensive’

Back in September, I had been talking to my eleventh grade students about studying for their qualification tests in June. I can’t remember precisely what it was in relation to, but I said something like “ … if you’re targeting results six, seven …” and the complete classroom started chuckling. It caught me completely by surprise.

My initial reaction was that I might have delivered an hint at something rude, or that they perceived an element of my pronunciation that seemed humorous. Somewhat frustrated – but honestly intrigued and mindful that they weren’t trying to be mean – I got them to clarify. To be honest, the clarification they then gave failed to create greater understanding – I still had no idea.

What might have caused it to be especially amusing was the weighing-up motion I had executed while speaking. I later discovered that this typically pairs with ““sixseven”: I had intended it to assist in expressing the act of me thinking aloud.

To kill it off I attempt to reference it as frequently as I can. Nothing reduces a phenomenon like this more thoroughly than an adult trying to get involved.

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

Knowing about it helps so that you can prevent just accidentally making comments like “well, there were 6, 7 thousand unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. When the digit pairing is unavoidable, having a rock-solid classroom conduct rules and standards on pupil behavior is advantageous, as you can deal with it as you would any additional interruption, but I’ve not really been required to take that action. Guidelines are necessary, but if pupils embrace what the learning environment is implementing, they’ll be less distracted by the internet crazes (especially in instructional hours).

Regarding 67, I haven’t wasted any lesson time, other than for an periodic raised eyebrow and commenting “yes, that’s a number, well done”. Should you offer attention to it, it transforms into an inferno. I treat it in the equivalent fashion I would manage any additional disturbance.

Previously existed the 9 + 10 = 21 trend a previous period, and undoubtedly there will emerge a new phenomenon following this. That’s children’s behavior. During my own growing up, it was imitating television personalities impressions (admittedly outside the classroom).

Students are unpredictable, and I think it’s the educator’s responsibility to respond in a way that steers them back to the direction that will help them toward their academic objectives, which, with luck, is coming out with qualifications rather than a conduct report lengthy for the employment of meaningless numerals.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

Students utilize it like a bonding chant in the schoolyard: one says it and the remaining students reply to show they are the equivalent circle. It resembles a verbal exchange or a sports cheer – an agreed language they use. In my view it has any specific importance to them; they simply understand it’s a thing to say. Whatever the latest craze is, they desire to be included in it.

It’s prohibited in my teaching space, though – it results in a caution if they call it out – identical to any other verbal interruption is. It’s especially tricky in maths lessons. But my students at year 5 are children aged nine to ten, so they’re quite adherent to the rules, whereas I appreciate that at high school it could be a different matter.

I’ve been a instructor for fifteen years, and such trends continue for a few weeks. This craze will fade away soon – they always do, notably once their junior family members begin using it and it stops being cool. Subsequently they will be focused on the following phenomenon.

‘Occasionally sharing the humor is essential’

I started noticing it in August, while teaching English at a international school. It was mainly male students repeating it. I educated students from twelve to eighteen and it was widespread among the junior students. I was unaware its meaning at the time, but being twenty-four and I understood it was just a meme comparable to when I attended classes.

The crazes are constantly changing. “Skibidi toilet” was a well-known trend at the time when I was at my teacher preparation program, but it didn’t really exist as much in the learning environment. Unlike ““sixseven”, “skibidi toilet” was not inscribed on the chalkboard in class, so pupils were less equipped to pick up on it.

I just ignore it, or sometimes I will laugh with them if I accidentally say it, striving to empathise with them and recognize that it is just youth culture. I believe they merely seek to enjoy that sensation of belonging and companionship.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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Joseph Miller
Joseph Miller

A wellness coach and writer passionate about integrating mindfulness into modern lifestyles.