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Across the UK, school pupils have been exclaiming the expression ““six-seven” during lessons in the newest viral craze to spread through schools.

Although some instructors have opted to stoically ignore the craze, different educators have incorporated it. Five teachers describe how they’re managing.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

Back in September, I had been speaking with my secondary school tutor group about studying for their qualification tests in June. I don’t recall precisely what it was in connection with, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re aiming for marks six, seven …” and the entire group burst out laughing. It caught me completely by surprise.

My immediate assumption was that I might have delivered an allusion to something rude, or that they perceived a quality in my accent that sounded funny. Somewhat frustrated – but genuinely curious and conscious that they weren’t trying to be malicious – I asked them to elaborate. To be honest, the clarification they then gave failed to create much difference – I continued to have no idea.

What might have rendered it especially amusing was the weighing-up motion I had performed during speaking. Subsequently I found out that this frequently goes with “six-seven”: I had intended it to aid in demonstrating the act of me speaking my mind.

To end the trend I attempt to bring it up as often as I can. No approach deflates a craze like this more effectively than an teacher attempting to get involved.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it assists so that you can prevent just accidentally making comments like “well, there were 6, 7 hundred jobless individuals in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the number combination is unavoidable, maintaining a strong school behaviour policy and requirements on student conduct is advantageous, as you can deal with it as you would any different disruption, but I’ve not really had to do that. Policies are necessary, but if pupils buy into what the school is practicing, they will remain more focused by the internet crazes (particularly in class periods).

Concerning 67, I haven’t lost any lesson time, except for an occasional eyebrow raise and stating “yes, that’s a number, well done”. If you give focus on it, it evolves into a blaze. I treat it in the same way I would handle any other disturbance.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme phenomenon a while back, and undoubtedly there will emerge another craze after this. This is typical youth activity. During my own childhood, it was imitating comedy characters impressions (honestly outside the school environment).

Young people are unpredictable, and I think it’s an adult’s job to behave in a way that guides them back to the direction that will help them where they need to go, which, with luck, is coming out with academic achievements rather than a disciplinary record a mile long for the utilization of meaningless numerals.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

Young learners employ it like a connecting expression in the schoolyard: a pupil shouts it and the remaining students reply to demonstrate they belong to the equivalent circle. It’s similar to a interactive chant or a football chant – an agreed language they possess. I don’t think it has any distinct meaning to them; they simply understand it’s a trend to say. Regardless of what the current trend is, they desire to feel part of it.

It’s forbidden in my classroom, however – it triggers a reminder if they call it out – identical to any other calling out is. It’s especially difficult in mathematics classes. But my students at fifth grade are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re fairly accepting of the rules, while I recognize that at secondary [school] it may be a different matter.

I have worked as a teacher for 15 years, and these phenomena continue for a month or so. This trend will fade away in the near future – this consistently happens, notably once their younger siblings start saying it and it ceases to be fashionable. Afterward they shall be on to the next thing.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I began observing it in August, while instructing in English at a language institute. It was mostly boys repeating it. I educated teenagers and it was widespread with the junior students. I didn’t understand its significance at the time, but being twenty-four and I realised it was merely a viral phenomenon similar to when I attended classes.

The crazes are always shifting. “Skibidi toilet” was a popular meme back when I was at my educational institute, but it didn’t particularly exist as much in the classroom. In contrast to ““sixseven”, “skibidi toilet” was not scribbled on the whiteboard in lessons, so students were less able to adopt it.

I typically overlook it, or periodically I will smile with the students if I inadvertently mention it, attempting to empathise with them and understand that it’s simply youth culture. 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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