‘It’s impossible not to smile’: five UK teachers on coping with ‘‘sixseven’ in the school environment

Throughout the UK, learners have been shouting out the phrase ““six-seven” during lessons in the most recent internet-inspired craze to take over schools.

Although some instructors have opted to calmly disregard the craze, some have embraced it. Several teachers share how they’re dealing.

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

Back in September, I had been addressing my year 11 students about getting ready for their qualification tests in June. I can’t remember precisely what it was in connection with, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re targeting results six, seven …” and the whole class burst out laughing. It took me totally off guard.

My immediate assumption was that I might have delivered an hint at an inappropriate topic, or that they detected an element of my pronunciation that appeared amusing. Slightly annoyed – but genuinely curious and mindful that they weren’t trying to be hurtful – I asked them to elaborate. To be honest, the description they offered didn’t make significant clarification – I remained with little comprehension.

What could have made it especially amusing was the evaluating motion I had performed during speaking. I later found out that this frequently goes with ““67”: My purpose was it to help convey the action of me speaking my mind.

In order to eliminate it I try to reference it as often as I can. No approach deflates a phenomenon like this more emphatically than an grown-up trying to participate.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it assists so that you can steer clear of just unintentionally stating statements like “well, there were 6, 7 hundred jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the numerical sequence is unpreventable, having a strong school behaviour policy and requirements on learner demeanor is advantageous, as you can sanction it as you would any different disturbance, but I rarely needed to implement that. Policies are important, but if pupils buy into what the educational institution is doing, they’ll be more focused by the internet crazes (particularly in lesson time).

Concerning six-seven, I haven’t sacrificed any teaching periods, aside from an occasional quizzical look and saying ““indeed, those are numerals, excellent”. If you give oxygen to it, then it becomes a wildfire. I handle it in the identical manner I would handle any different disturbance.

Earlier occurred the nine plus ten equals twenty-one trend a previous period, and there will no doubt be a new phenomenon after this. That’s children’s behavior. When I was childhood, it was imitating Kevin and Perry impressions (truthfully outside the classroom).

Students are spontaneous, and I believe it’s an adult’s job to react in a manner that redirects them toward the path that will get them to their educational goals, which, fingers crossed, is completing their studies with academic achievements as opposed to a behaviour list a mile long for the utilization of random numbers.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

Young learners employ it like a bonding chant in the schoolyard: a pupil shouts it and the others respond to demonstrate they belong to the identical community. It resembles a interactive chant or a stadium slogan – an agreed language they share. I don’t think it has any particular importance to them; they merely recognize it’s a thing to say. Regardless of what the latest craze is, they want to feel part of it.

It’s banned in my learning environment, though – it results in a caution if they exclaim it – identical to any other shouting out is. It’s notably difficult in mathematics classes. But my class at fifth grade are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re fairly compliant with the guidelines, while I understand that at secondary [school] it may be a separate situation.

I’ve been a educator for fifteen years, and these phenomena continue for a few weeks. This trend will die out soon – they always do, particularly once their junior family members commence repeating it and it ceases to be trendy. Then they’ll be on to the subsequent trend.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I first detected it in August, while educating in English language at a international school. It was mainly young men saying it. I instructed ages 12 to 18 and it was widespread with the less experienced learners. I didn’t understand its meaning at the time, but as a young adult and I realised it was simply an internet trend comparable to when I was a student.

These trends are constantly changing. “Skibidi toilet” was a popular meme at the time when I was at my training school, but it failed to appear as frequently in the classroom. In contrast to ““67”, “skibidi toilet” was never written on the board in lessons, so learners were less prepared to pick up on it.

I simply disregard it, or occasionally I will laugh with them if I accidentally say it, trying to understand them and recognize that it’s merely pop culture. I think they merely seek to feel that sense of belonging and companionship.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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Mr. Kent Garcia
Mr. Kent Garcia

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about innovation and storytelling, sharing insights from years of industry experience.