‘It’s impossible not to smile’: a quintet of UK teachers on handling ‘‘67’ in the classroom

Across the UK, learners have been calling out the phrase ““67” during lessons in the newest meme-based trend to sweep across schools.

Whereas some instructors have chosen to stoically ignore the phenomenon, different educators have embraced it. A group of educators describe how they’re dealing.

‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’

Earlier in September, I had been addressing my secondary school students about preparing for their qualification tests in June. I can’t remember precisely what it was in reference to, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re working to grades six, seven …” and the complete classroom started chuckling. It took me totally off guard.

My immediate assumption was that I might have delivered an reference to something rude, or that they detected something in my speech pattern that sounded funny. A bit frustrated – but genuinely curious and aware that they weren’t trying to be hurtful – I persuaded them to elaborate. Honestly, the description they then gave didn’t make significant clarification – I remained with no idea.

What possibly rendered it especially amusing was the evaluating motion I had made while speaking. I later learned that this typically pairs with “six-seven”: I had intended it to assist in expressing the action of me thinking aloud.

With the aim of eliminate it I aim to reference it as much as I can. No strategy deflates a trend like this more thoroughly than an grown-up attempting to join in.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Knowing about it aids so that you can prevent just blundering into statements like “well, there were 6, 7 hundred unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. When the digit pairing is unavoidable, having a firm classroom conduct rules and expectations on learner demeanor really helps, as you can address it as you would any additional disruption, but I haven’t actually been required to take that action. Guidelines are one thing, but if pupils embrace what the learning environment is implementing, they’ll be better concentrated by the internet crazes (especially in lesson time).

Regarding 67, I haven’t sacrificed any lesson time, except for an occasional raised eyebrow and saying ““correct, those are digits, good job”. When you provide attention to it, it transforms into an inferno. I address it in the equivalent fashion I would handle any different disturbance.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme trend a while back, and certainly there will appear a different trend after this. It’s what kids do. Back when I was growing up, it was performing Kevin and Perry impressions (admittedly away from the learning space).

Students are unpredictable, and I think it’s the educator’s responsibility to react in a approach that redirects them toward the direction that will get them where they need to go, which, fingers crossed, is coming out with academic achievements rather than a behaviour list a mile long for the employment of meaningless numerals.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

Students use it like a connecting expression in the recreation area: one says it and the other children answer to show they are the equivalent circle. It’s similar to a verbal exchange or a sports cheer – an common expression they share. I don’t think it has any distinct significance to them; they just know it’s a phenomenon to say. Whatever the latest craze is, they want to experience belonging to it.

It’s forbidden in my classroom, nevertheless – it triggers a reminder if they exclaim it – similar to any different verbal interruption is. It’s especially difficult in numeracy instruction. But my class at primary level are children aged nine to ten, so they’re fairly accepting of the regulations, whereas I appreciate that at high school it might be a separate situation.

I’ve been a educator for 15 years, and these phenomena last for three or four weeks. This trend will fade away soon – they always do, especially once their younger siblings start saying it and it stops being cool. Subsequently they will be engaged with the subsequent trend.

‘You just have to laugh with them’

I started noticing it in August, while instructing in English at a international school. It was primarily young men uttering it. I taught teenagers and it was prevalent among 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 was a student.

The crazes are always shifting. ““Toilet meme” was a familiar phenomenon at the time when I was at my teacher preparation program, but it didn’t particularly occur as often in the classroom. Differing from “six-seven”, ““the skibidi trend” was not scribbled on the chalkboard in instruction, so students were less prepared to embrace it.

I just ignore it, or occasionally I will smile with the students if I inadvertently mention it, attempting to understand them and recognize that it is just contemporary trends. In my opinion they merely seek to enjoy that sensation of togetherness and camaraderie.

‘Lighthearted usage has diminished its occurrence’

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Jennifer Richard
Jennifer Richard

An avid hiker and nature writer sharing personal journeys and practical advice for outdoor enthusiasts.

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