‘Sometimes you’ve got to chuckle’: five UK teachers on handling ‘six-seven’ in the school environment
Throughout the UK, learners have been calling out the words ““67” during classes in the most recent meme-based trend to spread through schools.
Whereas some instructors have decided to stoically ignore the phenomenon, different educators have accepted it. Several teachers describe how they’re managing.
‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’
Back in September, I had been talking to my secondary school students about getting ready for their qualification tests in June. I don’t recall exactly what it was in relation to, but I said something like “ … if you’re aiming for marks six, seven …” and the entire group burst out laughing. It took me completely by surprise.
My initial reaction was that I had created an allusion to something rude, or that they detected an element of my speech pattern that appeared amusing. Somewhat exasperated – but honestly intrigued and mindful that they weren’t trying to be mean – I asked them to elaborate. To be honest, the description they offered failed to create much difference – I continued to have minimal understanding.
What could have made it especially amusing was the weighing-up motion I had made while speaking. I have since discovered that this typically pairs with ““sixseven”: My purpose was it to help convey the act of me speaking my mind.
With the aim of end the trend I try to reference it as much as I can. No approach deflates a trend like this more emphatically than an grown-up attempting to participate.
‘If you give oxygen to it, then it becomes an inferno’
Understanding it assists so that you can avoid just accidentally making comments like “for example, there existed 6, 7 thousand jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. When the number combination is inevitable, possessing a strong student discipline system and requirements on pupil behavior proves beneficial, as you can sanction it as you would any additional disruption, but I haven’t actually been required to take that action. Guidelines are one thing, but if learners embrace what the educational institution is implementing, they’ll be more focused by the internet crazes (especially in lesson time).
With sixseven, I haven’t wasted any instructional minutes, other than for an infrequent raised eyebrow and saying “yes, that’s a number, well done”. When you provide focus on it, it transforms into a wildfire. I treat it in the identical manner I would manage any additional disturbance.
Earlier occurred the 9 + 10 = 21 trend a previous period, and certainly there will appear another craze subsequently. It’s what kids do. Back when I was growing up, it was doing television personalities mimicry (honestly outside the classroom).
Children are unforeseeable, and I think it’s the educator’s responsibility to respond in a approach that steers them back to the path that will enable them to their educational goals, which, hopefully, is graduating with qualifications as opposed to a disciplinary record a mile long for the employment of meaningless numerals.
‘They want to feel a part of a group’
Young learners utilize it like a connecting expression in the playground: a student calls it and the other children answer to indicate they’re part of the same group. It resembles a interactive chant or a stadium slogan – an agreed language they use. I believe it has any specific significance to them; they simply understand it’s a thing to say. No matter what the latest craze is, they want to be included in it.
It’s forbidden in my learning environment, nevertheless – it triggers a reminder if they shout it out – identical to any additional calling out is. It’s especially difficult in numeracy instruction. But my pupils at fifth grade are pre-teens, so they’re relatively compliant with the rules, although I understand that at secondary [school] it could be a distinct scenario.
I’ve been a teacher for 15 years, and these phenomena continue for three or four weeks. This phenomenon will die out shortly – they always do, notably once their junior family members start saying it and it’s no longer cool. Afterward they shall be focused on the subsequent trend.
‘You just have to laugh with them’
I first detected it in August, while teaching English at a foreign language school. It was mostly young men repeating it. I taught students from twelve to eighteen and it was widespread among the junior students. I was unaware what it was at the time, but I’m 24 years old and I understood it was just a meme similar to when I was a student.
These trends are continuously evolving. ““Toilet meme” was a popular meme back when I was at my training school, but it didn’t really occur as often in the educational setting. Unlike ““67”, ““that particular meme” was never written on the chalkboard in class, so learners were less prepared to embrace 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 pop culture. I believe they simply desire to enjoy that sensation of togetherness and friendship.
‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’
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