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Throughout the UK, students have been exclaiming the words ““six-seven” during lessons in the newest internet-inspired craze to sweep across schools.

Although some teachers have opted to patiently overlook the phenomenon, different educators have incorporated it. Five educators share how they’re dealing.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

During September, I had been addressing my secondary school tutor group about preparing for their secondary school examinations in June. I can’t remember specifically what it was in connection with, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re aiming for results six, seven …” and the entire group erupted in laughter. It caught me totally off guard.

My initial reaction was that I might have delivered an reference to an offensive subject, or that they detected something in my speech pattern that appeared amusing. Somewhat frustrated – but truly interested and aware that they weren’t trying to be hurtful – I persuaded them to clarify. Honestly, the description they then gave failed to create significant clarification – I remained with minimal understanding.

What could have caused it to be especially amusing was the evaluating gesture I had executed while speaking. Subsequently I discovered that this typically pairs with ““sixseven”: I meant it to aid in demonstrating the process of me verbalizing thoughts.

In order to end the trend I attempt to mention it as frequently as I can. No strategy deflates a craze like this more effectively than an teacher attempting to get involved.

‘If you give oxygen to it, then it becomes an inferno’

Understanding it aids so that you can steer clear of just unintentionally stating comments like “well, there were 6, 7 million people without work in Germany in 1933”. When the numerical sequence is unavoidable, having a rock-solid school behaviour policy and expectations on learner demeanor proves beneficial, as you can address it as you would any different disturbance, but I haven’t actually been required to take that action. Rules are important, but if students buy into what the school is implementing, they’ll be better concentrated by the online trends (particularly in lesson time).

With sixseven, I haven’t wasted any instructional minutes, except for an occasional eyebrow raise and saying ““correct, those are digits, good job”. If you give attention to it, it transforms into an inferno. I treat it in the same way I would manage any additional disruption.

Previously existed the mathematical meme phenomenon a previous period, and certainly there will appear another craze after this. It’s what kids do. Back when I was growing up, it was doing television personalities mimicry (admittedly away from the classroom).

Young people are unpredictable, and I believe it’s an adult’s job to behave in a manner that guides them toward the course that will enable them to their educational goals, which, fingers crossed, is graduating with qualifications instead of a disciplinary record a mile long for the utilization of random numbers.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

Students utilize it like a bonding chant in the playground: a pupil shouts it and the other children answer to indicate they’re part of the same group. It’s like a interactive chant or a sports cheer – an common expression they use. In my view it has any particular importance to them; they simply understand it’s a trend to say. Whatever the latest craze is, they want to experience belonging to it.

It’s forbidden in my teaching space, though – it triggers a reminder if they shout it out – similar to any additional calling out is. It’s especially challenging in maths lessons. But my students at primary level are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re relatively compliant with the regulations, whereas I understand that at secondary [school] it may be a distinct scenario.

I have worked as a instructor for 15 years, and these crazes last for a few weeks. This craze will fade away shortly – they always do, particularly once their junior family members commence repeating it and it’s no longer cool. Afterward they shall be focused on the next thing.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I began observing it in August, while teaching English at a language institute. It was mainly young men uttering it. I educated teenagers and it was widespread within the junior students. I had no idea its significance at the time, but as a young adult and I recognized it was just a meme akin to when I attended classes.

These trends are continuously evolving. ““Toilet meme” was a familiar phenomenon back when I was at my educational institute, but it didn’t really appear as frequently in the classroom. Differing from “six-seven”, ““that particular meme” was not scribbled on the board in lessons, so pupils were less equipped to pick up on it.

I typically overlook it, or periodically I will smile with the students if I accidentally say it, attempting to empathise with them and understand that it’s merely pop culture. In my opinion they simply desire to experience that feeling of togetherness and companionship.

‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’

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