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Across the UK, school pupils have been exclaiming the expression “sixseven” during lessons in the most recent internet-inspired craze to sweep across schools.

Although some instructors have decided to calmly disregard the phenomenon, some have embraced it. Five instructors share how they’re dealing.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

Back in September, I had been talking to my secondary school class about preparing for their GCSE exams in June. I can’t remember exactly what it was in reference to, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re working to marks six, seven …” and the entire group started chuckling. It caught me completely by surprise.

My immediate assumption was that I might have delivered an reference to something rude, or that they’d heard a quality in my pronunciation that appeared amusing. A bit annoyed – but genuinely curious and mindful that they weren’t hurtful – I got them to clarify. Honestly, the description they then gave didn’t provide greater understanding – I continued to have no idea.

What could have rendered it especially amusing was the evaluating movement I had performed during speaking. I have since found out that this often accompanies ““67”: My purpose was it to aid in demonstrating the act of me thinking aloud.

With the aim of kill it off I aim to bring it up as often as I can. No strategy deflates a phenomenon like this more emphatically than an adult striving to participate.

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

Knowing about it assists so that you can prevent just blundering into comments like “well, there were 6, 7 million unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the digit pairing is unpreventable, possessing a rock-solid classroom conduct rules and requirements on student conduct proves beneficial, as you can sanction it as you would any different disruption, but I rarely been required to take that action. Rules are important, but if pupils accept what the learning environment is practicing, they will remain less distracted by the internet crazes (especially in lesson time).

Regarding 67, I haven’t sacrificed any lesson time, other than for an occasional raised eyebrow and saying ““indeed, those are numerals, excellent”. If you give focus on it, it transforms into an inferno. I treat it in the equivalent fashion I would treat any other disruption.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme phenomenon a few years ago, and there will no doubt be a different trend after this. This is typical youth activity. During my own growing up, it was imitating Kevin and Perry impressions (honestly away from the classroom).

Children are unpredictable, and I believe it falls to the teacher to react in a way that redirects them back to the path that will enable them where they need to go, which, hopefully, is completing their studies with qualifications instead of a disciplinary record extensive for the use of meaningless numerals.

‘Students desire belonging to a community’

Students use it like a connecting expression in the schoolyard: one says it and the other children answer to show they are the equivalent circle. It resembles a interactive chant or a stadium slogan – an common expression they share. In my view it has any specific meaning to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. Whatever the latest craze is, they desire to feel part of it.

It’s prohibited in my learning environment, nevertheless – it’s a warning if they exclaim it – similar to any different verbal interruption is. It’s particularly difficult in mathematics classes. But my class at primary level are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re fairly adherent to the guidelines, although I understand that at secondary [school] it may be a different matter.

I have worked as a instructor for 15 years, and such trends persist for a few weeks. This craze will fade away shortly – they always do, notably once their younger siblings begin using it and it’s no longer trendy. Then they’ll be focused on the following phenomenon.

‘Occasionally sharing the humor is essential’

I began observing it in August, while teaching English at a foreign language school. It was mainly male students saying it. I instructed ages 12 to 18 and it was widespread among the less experienced learners. I was unaware what it was at the time, but I’m 24 years old and I realised it was just a meme comparable to when I was at school.

The crazes are constantly changing. ““Toilet meme” was a popular meme during the period when I was at my training school, but it didn’t particularly appear as frequently in the educational setting. In contrast to ““sixseven”, “skibidi toilet” was never written on the chalkboard in lessons, so students were less prepared to adopt it.

I just ignore it, or sometimes I will chuckle alongside them if I unintentionally utter it, trying to empathise with them and recognize that it is just pop culture. I think they just want to enjoy that sensation of belonging and camaraderie.

‘Lighthearted usage has diminished its occurrence’

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