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Throughout the UK, students have been calling out the expression ““six-seven” during instruction in the newest internet-inspired craze to spread through classrooms.

Although some educators have chosen to patiently overlook the craze, some have embraced it. Five teachers share how they’re managing.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

During September, I had been addressing my secondary school tutor group about preparing for their GCSE exams in June. It escapes me exactly what it was in connection with, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re aiming for grades six, seven …” and the complete classroom started chuckling. It surprised me entirely unexpectedly.

My immediate assumption was that I had created an hint at an offensive subject, or that they detected a quality in my accent that seemed humorous. Slightly frustrated – but truly interested and aware that they had no intention of being hurtful – I got them to explain. Honestly, the explanation they provided failed to create greater understanding – I remained with no idea.

What possibly made it particularly humorous was the considering motion I had made while speaking. Subsequently I found out that this often accompanies “six-seven”: I had intended it to assist in expressing the process of me thinking aloud.

With the aim of eliminate it I try to mention it as often as I can. Nothing deflates a trend like this more emphatically than an grown-up trying to join in.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it assists so that you can steer clear of just blundering into remarks like “indeed, there were 6, 7 million jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the number combination is unpreventable, possessing a strong student discipline system and requirements on student conduct proves beneficial, as you can sanction it as you would any different disturbance, but I rarely been required to take that action. Guidelines are necessary, but if pupils embrace what the school is implementing, they will become less distracted by the internet crazes (particularly in class periods).

With sixseven, I haven’t sacrificed any lesson time, aside from an infrequent quizzical look and commenting ““correct, those are digits, good job”. Should you offer focus on it, it evolves into a blaze. I treat it in the equivalent fashion I would manage any different disturbance.

Earlier occurred the nine plus ten equals twenty-one trend a few years ago, and there will no doubt be a different trend subsequently. This is typical youth activity. Back when I was childhood, it was performing television personalities mimicry (truthfully out of the school environment).

Young people are unpredictable, and I think it’s an adult’s job to behave in a manner that steers them toward the path that will help them where they need to go, which, fingers crossed, is graduating with qualifications rather than a behaviour list extensive for the use of meaningless numerals.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

Students employ it like a connecting expression in the schoolyard: a pupil shouts it and the other children answer to demonstrate they belong to the same group. It resembles a call-and-response or a football chant – an common expression they share. I don’t think it has any specific importance to them; they merely recognize it’s a phenomenon to say. Whatever the latest craze is, they desire to be included in it.

It’s forbidden in my classroom, however – it triggers a reminder if they exclaim it – similar to any additional verbal interruption is. It’s particularly tricky in mathematics classes. But my class at primary level are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re quite accepting of the regulations, whereas I understand that at high school it could be a distinct scenario.

I have served as a instructor for 15 years, and these phenomena persist for a month or so. This trend will diminish soon – it invariably occurs, especially once their little brothers and sisters begin using it and it’s no longer trendy. Subsequently they will be on to the next thing.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I first detected it in August, while teaching English at a foreign language school. It was mainly male students repeating it. I taught ages 12 to 18 and it was prevalent with the less experienced learners. I had no idea its meaning at the time, but as a young adult and I understood it was simply an internet trend comparable to when I was at school.

Such phenomena are always shifting. ““Toilet meme” was a familiar phenomenon at the time when I was at my educational institute, but it failed to occur as often in the classroom. In contrast to ““sixseven”, “skibidi toilet” was never written on the chalkboard in class, so students were less able to pick up on it.

I typically overlook it, or sometimes I will laugh with them if I inadvertently mention it, trying to empathise with them and appreciate that it’s simply contemporary trends. I think they merely seek to enjoy that sensation of togetherness and companionship.

‘Playfully shouting it means I rarely hear it now’

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