‘Sometimes you’ve got to chuckle’: five UK educators on coping with ‘‘67’ in the school environment

Around the UK, learners have been exclaiming the expression ““six-seven” during lessons in the newest internet-inspired phenomenon to spread through classrooms.

Although some instructors have chosen to patiently overlook the phenomenon, others have embraced it. Several teachers explain how they’re dealing.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

Earlier in September, I had been speaking with my eleventh grade students about getting ready for their qualification tests in June. I don’t recall specifically what it was in reference to, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re working to marks six, seven …” and the entire group started chuckling. It took me entirely unexpectedly.

My immediate assumption was that I had created an reference to an offensive subject, or that they perceived something in my speech pattern that seemed humorous. A bit frustrated – but truly interested and aware that they had no intention of being hurtful – I got them to clarify. To be honest, the explanation they then gave failed to create much difference – I continued to have minimal understanding.

What possibly made it extra funny was the weighing-up motion I had made while speaking. I have since found out that this typically pairs with ““sixseven”: I meant it to aid in demonstrating the action of me speaking my mind.

To end the trend I aim to bring it up as often as I can. No approach diminishes a phenomenon like this more effectively than an teacher attempting to participate.

‘Feeding the trend creates a blaze’

Understanding it assists so that you can steer clear of just blundering into remarks like “indeed, there were 6, 7 million unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the number combination is unavoidable, possessing a firm classroom conduct rules and expectations on learner demeanor is advantageous, as you can sanction it as you would any other interruption, but I’ve not really needed to implement that. Rules are necessary, but if students embrace what the school is doing, they will become less distracted by the online trends (especially in instructional hours).

Regarding 67, I haven’t sacrificed any lesson time, aside from an periodic eyebrow raise and saying ““correct, those are digits, good job”. Should you offer oxygen to it, it transforms into an inferno. I handle it in the equivalent fashion I would manage any different interruption.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme trend a previous period, and undoubtedly there will emerge a new phenomenon subsequently. This is typical youth activity. When I was childhood, it was imitating Kevin and Perry impersonations (truthfully outside the learning space).

Students are spontaneous, and In my opinion it falls to the teacher to behave in a approach that redirects them back to the course that will get them toward their academic objectives, which, fingers crossed, is completing their studies with certificates instead of a behaviour list a mile long for the use of meaningless numerals.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

Young learners employ it like a connecting expression in the schoolyard: a pupil shouts it and the other children answer to show they are the identical community. It resembles a verbal exchange or a football chant – an common expression they possess. I believe it has any specific importance to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. No matter what the latest craze is, they want to experience belonging to it.

It’s banned in my learning environment, nevertheless – it’s a warning if they exclaim it – just like any other calling out is. It’s notably difficult in numeracy instruction. But my students at fifth grade are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re quite accepting of the rules, whereas I recognize that at teen education it may be a distinct scenario.

I have worked as a teacher for fifteen years, and these crazes persist for a few weeks. This craze will diminish shortly – it invariably occurs, notably once their younger siblings commence repeating it and it stops being trendy. Afterward they shall be engaged with the next thing.

‘You just have to laugh with them’

I began observing it in August, while instructing in English at a international school. It was primarily boys saying it. I taught ages 12 to 18 and it was widespread with the younger pupils. I was unaware its meaning at the time, but as a young adult and I recognized it was merely a viral phenomenon akin to when I was a student.

The crazes are constantly changing. ““Toilet meme” was a popular meme back when I was at my training school, but it didn’t particularly occur as often in the educational setting. Differing from “six-seven”, ““that particular meme” was never written on the chalkboard in lessons, so learners were less prepared to adopt it.

I just ignore it, or occasionally I will laugh with them if I accidentally say it, attempting to empathise with them and understand that it’s simply contemporary trends. In my opinion they merely seek to feel that sense of community and camaraderie.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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Rachel Gray
Rachel Gray

A seasoned gaming enthusiast with over a decade of experience in reviewing slot machines and sharing expert insights for UK audiences.