‘It’s impossible not to smile’: a quintet of UK instructors on dealing with ‘‘67’ in the classroom

Across the UK, school pupils have been exclaiming the expression “sixseven” during lessons in the latest meme-based craze to take over educational institutions.

Whereas some instructors have opted to stoically ignore the trend, others have accepted it. Several instructors explain how they’re dealing.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

During September, I had been speaking with my eleventh grade tutor group about getting ready for their qualification tests in June. I don’t recall exactly what it was in connection with, but I said a phrase resembling “ … if you’re aiming for grades six, seven …” and the complete classroom erupted in laughter. It caught me completely by surprise.

My initial reaction was that I’d made an reference to something rude, or that they detected a quality in my speech pattern that seemed humorous. Slightly frustrated – but honestly intrigued and mindful that they had no intention of being malicious – I asked them to elaborate. To be honest, the clarification they offered failed to create much difference – I still had no idea.

What might have caused it to be extra funny was the considering gesture I had made while speaking. I have since discovered that this typically pairs with ““sixseven”: My purpose was it to aid in demonstrating the act of me verbalizing thoughts.

To end the trend I try to mention it as often as I can. No approach deflates a trend like this more thoroughly than an adult striving to join in.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it aids so that you can avoid just accidentally making statements like “well, there were 6, 7 thousand people without work in Germany in 1933”. If the digit pairing is unavoidable, maintaining a rock-solid classroom conduct rules and expectations on student conduct proves beneficial, as you can deal with it as you would any additional disruption, but I’ve not really needed to implement that. Guidelines are one thing, but if pupils accept what the school is practicing, they will remain better concentrated by the viral phenomena (especially in instructional hours).

Regarding sixseven, I haven’t sacrificed any instructional minutes, aside from an occasional eyebrow raise and stating “yes, that’s a number, well done”. If you give oxygen to it, it evolves into an inferno. I address it in the equivalent fashion I would handle any other disturbance.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme trend a few years ago, and undoubtedly there will emerge a new phenomenon following this. That’s children’s behavior. Back when I was growing up, it was imitating television personalities impressions (truthfully away from the learning space).

Children are spontaneous, and In my opinion it’s an adult’s job to react in a approach that steers them in the direction of the path that will enable them to their educational goals, which, hopefully, is completing their studies with certificates rather than a conduct report lengthy for the employment of meaningless numerals.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

Students utilize it like a unifying phrase in the recreation area: one says it and the remaining students reply to indicate they’re part of the equivalent circle. It’s similar to a verbal exchange or a football chant – an agreed language they use. In my view it has any particular significance to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. Whatever the newest phenomenon is, they desire to experience belonging to it.

It’s forbidden in my teaching space, however – it results in a caution if they exclaim it – just like any additional verbal interruption is. It’s notably difficult in mathematics classes. But my students at primary level are pre-teens, so they’re quite adherent to the regulations, while I appreciate that at high school it might be a distinct scenario.

I’ve been a educator for 15 years, and these phenomena last for a few weeks. This trend will diminish shortly – this consistently happens, particularly once their junior family members commence repeating it and it ceases to be fashionable. Afterward they shall be on to the subsequent trend.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I started noticing it in August, while teaching English at a international school. It was mainly male students uttering it. I taught teenagers and it was widespread with the junior students. I had no idea its meaning at the time, but I’m 24 years old and I recognized it was simply an internet trend akin to when I was a student.

Such phenomena are continuously evolving. ““Skibidi” was a well-known trend during the period when I was at my educational institute, but it failed to exist as much in the classroom. Unlike “six-seven”, “skibidi toilet” was not inscribed on the chalkboard in lessons, so learners were less equipped to adopt it.

I just ignore it, or occasionally I will chuckle alongside them if I accidentally say it, trying to understand them and appreciate that it is just pop culture. I believe they merely seek to feel that sense of community and companionship.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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Christine Rodriguez
Christine Rodriguez

A passionate gamer and esports journalist with over a decade of experience covering competitive gaming scenes worldwide.