‘You just have to laugh’: several UK teachers on dealing with ‘six-seven’ in the educational setting
Throughout the UK, school pupils have been calling out the phrase ““67” during instruction in the newest viral phenomenon to sweep across classrooms.
Whereas some educators have opted to calmly disregard the trend, others have incorporated it. Five instructors explain how they’re dealing.
‘I believed I’d made an inappropriate comment’
Earlier in September, I had been addressing my eleventh grade class about preparing for their qualification tests in June. It escapes me precisely what it was in reference to, but I said a phrase resembling “ … 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 had created an allusion to something rude, or that they detected a quality in my speech pattern that seemed humorous. Slightly exasperated – but genuinely curious and conscious that they weren’t trying to be hurtful – I got them to explain. To be honest, the clarification they provided didn’t provide greater understanding – I remained with little comprehension.
What could have caused it to be particularly humorous was the weighing-up motion I had executed while speaking. I later found out that this typically pairs with ““sixseven”: I meant it to help convey the process of me verbalizing thoughts.
With the aim of end the trend I attempt to bring it up as frequently as I can. No approach deflates a trend like this more thoroughly than an grown-up striving to participate.
‘If you give oxygen to it, then it becomes an inferno’
Being aware of it assists so that you can prevent just accidentally making statements like “well, there were 6, 7 million people without work in Germany in 1933”. When the digit pairing is inevitable, possessing a strong school behaviour policy and standards on student conduct really helps, as you can address it as you would any additional disruption, but I haven’t actually had to do that. Guidelines are one thing, but if learners accept what the educational institution is practicing, they will become more focused by the viral phenomena (particularly in class periods).
Regarding sixseven, I haven’t lost any lesson time, except for an infrequent quizzical look and stating “yes, that’s a number, well done”. Should you offer focus on it, then it becomes a blaze. I handle it in the equivalent fashion I would treat any different disturbance.
Earlier occurred the nine plus ten equals twenty-one craze a while back, and undoubtedly there will emerge a different trend subsequently. It’s what kids do. During my own youth, it was performing Kevin and Perry mimicry (honestly away from the classroom).
Students are unforeseeable, and I think it’s the educator’s responsibility to respond in a manner that guides them toward the path that will enable them to their educational goals, which, with luck, is completing their studies with academic achievements rather than a disciplinary record extensive for the utilization of meaningless numerals.
‘They want to feel a part of a group’
Students utilize it like a bonding chant in the playground: a student calls it and the others respond to indicate they’re part of the identical community. It’s similar to a verbal exchange or a sports cheer – an common expression they possess. In my view it has any specific significance to them; they just know it’s a phenomenon to say. No matter what the latest craze is, they desire to be included in it.
It’s prohibited in my teaching space, though – it results in a caution if they exclaim it – similar to any different shouting out is. It’s particularly difficult in maths lessons. But my class at primary level are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re quite adherent to the regulations, whereas I appreciate that at teen education it may be a distinct scenario.
I’ve been a educator for 15 years, and these phenomena last for a few weeks. This trend will fade away soon – they always do, notably once their little brothers and sisters commence repeating it and it’s no longer trendy. Afterward they shall be focused on the next thing.
‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’
I started noticing it in August, while instructing in English at a international school. It was mostly young men repeating it. I educated students from twelve to eighteen and it was prevalent with the junior students. I didn’t understand its significance at the time, but being twenty-four and I realised it was just a meme similar to when I was a student.
Such phenomena are always shifting. “Skibidi toilet” was a well-known trend back when I was at my educational institute, but it failed to exist as much in the learning environment. In contrast to “six-seven”, ““that particular meme” was not scribbled on the board in instruction, so pupils were less equipped to embrace it.
I just ignore it, or periodically I will chuckle alongside them if I unintentionally utter it, striving to understand them and appreciate that it’s merely pop culture. In my opinion they just want to enjoy that sensation of togetherness and companionship.
‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’
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