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Around the UK, school pupils have been shouting out the words “sixseven” during lessons in the newest internet-inspired trend to spread through schools.

Whereas some teachers have decided to patiently overlook the craze, different educators have accepted it. A group of instructors explain how they’re managing.

‘My initial assumption was that I’d uttered something offensive’

Back in September, I had been speaking with my year 11 tutor group about preparing for their qualification tests in June. I can’t remember specifically what it was in connection with, but I said something like “ … if you’re aiming for results six, seven …” and the entire group burst out laughing. It surprised me completely by surprise.

My immediate assumption was that I might have delivered an reference to an offensive subject, or that they detected something in my pronunciation that appeared amusing. A bit exasperated – but genuinely curious and mindful that they weren’t malicious – I persuaded them to explain. To be honest, the clarification they then gave failed to create much difference – I continued to have minimal understanding.

What possibly caused it to be especially amusing was the weighing-up motion I had performed during speaking. Subsequently I discovered that this frequently goes with “six-seven”: I had intended it to help convey the action of me thinking aloud.

With the aim of eliminate it I try to reference it as much as I can. Nothing reduces a phenomenon like this more emphatically than an grown-up attempting to join in.

‘Feeding the trend creates a blaze’

Being aware of it assists so that you can avoid just unintentionally stating statements like “indeed, there were 6, 7 thousand people without work in Germany in 1933”. When the numerical sequence is inevitable, maintaining a strong school behaviour policy and requirements on learner demeanor is advantageous, as you can deal with it as you would any additional disturbance, but I rarely needed to implement that. Guidelines are one thing, but if learners embrace what the school is practicing, they will become less distracted by the internet crazes (especially in class periods).

Concerning 67, I haven’t lost any lesson time, other than for an infrequent raised eyebrow and stating ““correct, those are digits, good job”. Should you offer attention to it, it evolves into an inferno. I handle it in the same way I would treat any different disturbance.

Previously existed the 9 + 10 = 21 craze a few years ago, and certainly there will appear a new phenomenon subsequently. It’s what kids do. During my own youth, it was performing comedy characters impersonations (admittedly out of the learning space).

Young people are unpredictable, and I believe it falls to the teacher to respond in a approach that guides them toward the path that will help them toward their academic objectives, which, with luck, is completing their studies with qualifications rather than a disciplinary record extensive for the utilization of arbitrary digits.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

Young learners employ it like a bonding chant in the schoolyard: a pupil shouts it and the other children answer to indicate they’re part of the equivalent circle. It resembles a interactive chant or a sports cheer – an agreed language they share. I don’t think it has any distinct significance to them; they simply understand it’s a thing to say. No matter what the latest craze is, they seek to be included in it.

It’s prohibited in my teaching space, though – it triggers a reminder if they shout it out – just like any different calling out is. It’s notably challenging in numeracy instruction. But my students at fifth grade are pre-teens, so they’re quite adherent to the regulations, while I recognize that at high school it could be a distinct scenario.

I have worked as a educator for 15 years, and these phenomena persist for a few weeks. This craze will fade away soon – it invariably occurs, particularly once their younger siblings start saying it and it’s no longer trendy. Subsequently they will be engaged with the subsequent trend.

‘You just have to laugh with them’

I first detected it in August, while instructing in English at a international school. It was mainly male students repeating it. I taught students from twelve to eighteen and it was widespread with the less experienced learners. I was unaware its significance at the time, but as a young adult and I understood it was merely a viral phenomenon akin to when I was a student.

The crazes are always shifting. ““Skibidi” was a popular meme back when I was at my educational institute, but it didn’t really exist as much in the educational setting. Unlike “six-seven”, “skibidi toilet” was never written on the chalkboard in instruction, so pupils were less equipped to embrace it.

I just ignore it, or sometimes I will laugh with them if I accidentally say it, trying to empathise with them and recognize that it is just pop culture. In my opinion they merely seek to enjoy that sensation of belonging and friendship.

‘Lighthearted usage has diminished its occurrence’

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