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Around the UK, learners have been shouting out the words “sixseven” during instruction in the most recent internet-inspired craze to spread through schools.

While some educators have opted to patiently overlook the craze, some have embraced it. Several instructors explain how they’re dealing.

‘I thought I had said something rude’

Earlier in September, I had been addressing my secondary school students about studying for their qualification tests in June. I can’t remember precisely what it was in connection with, but I said something like “ … if you’re working to marks six, seven …” and the entire group erupted in laughter. It took me entirely unexpectedly.

My first thought was that I might have delivered an reference to an offensive subject, or that they perceived something in my pronunciation that sounded funny. Slightly exasperated – but genuinely curious and aware that they weren’t hurtful – I got them to elaborate. To be honest, the description they then gave didn’t provide significant clarification – I remained with no idea.

What possibly made it particularly humorous was the considering gesture I had performed during speaking. I later learned that this frequently goes with ““67”: I had intended it to help convey the action of me thinking aloud.

To end the trend I attempt to mention it as frequently as I can. No approach diminishes a phenomenon like this more emphatically than an grown-up striving to get involved.

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

Being aware of it aids so that you can prevent just unintentionally stating comments like “for example, there existed 6, 7 hundred unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the number combination is unavoidable, maintaining a rock-solid school behaviour policy and requirements on pupil behavior really helps, as you can sanction it as you would any additional disturbance, but I’ve not really had to do that. Guidelines are necessary, but if pupils embrace what the learning environment is implementing, they’ll be better concentrated by the internet crazes (particularly in class periods).

Regarding six-seven, I haven’t sacrificed any lesson time, other than for an occasional eyebrow raise and stating ““indeed, those are numerals, excellent”. If you give oxygen to it, it transforms into an inferno. I address it in the equivalent fashion I would treat any other disruption.

Earlier occurred the mathematical meme phenomenon a previous period, and certainly there will appear a different trend after this. This is typical youth activity. Back when I was growing up, it was imitating television personalities impressions (admittedly out of the classroom).

Students are unforeseeable, and I think it’s the educator’s responsibility to respond in a manner that redirects them in the direction of the course that will enable them toward their academic objectives, which, hopefully, is coming out with qualifications as opposed to a behaviour list a mile long for the use of random numbers.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

Young learners employ it like a connecting expression in the schoolyard: a pupil shouts it and the remaining students reply to show they are the equivalent circle. It resembles a verbal exchange or a stadium slogan – an shared vocabulary they use. I don’t think it has any distinct significance to them; they just know it’s a thing to say. Whatever the latest craze is, they desire to experience belonging to it.

It’s prohibited in my classroom, though – it triggers a reminder if they call it out – identical to any other shouting out is. It’s notably tricky in numeracy instruction. But my class at primary level are pre-teens, so they’re relatively compliant with the guidelines, although I appreciate that at secondary [school] it may be a distinct scenario.

I’ve been a teacher for 15 years, and these crazes persist for a month or so. This trend will fade away in the near future – this consistently happens, particularly once their younger siblings commence repeating it and it stops being cool. Afterward they shall be on to the next thing.

‘Occasionally sharing the humor is essential’

I first detected it in August, while teaching English at a language institute. It was mostly boys uttering it. I taught ages 12 to 18 and it was prevalent with the younger pupils. I didn’t understand what it was at the time, but I’m 24 years old and I recognized it was just a meme akin to when I was at school.

Such phenomena are always shifting. “Skibidi toilet” was a popular meme back when I was at my educational institute, but it didn’t really exist as much in the educational setting. In contrast to ““67”, ““the skibidi trend” was not inscribed on the whiteboard in class, so pupils were less prepared to pick up on it.

I simply disregard it, or occasionally I will chuckle alongside them if I accidentally say it, striving to empathise with them and appreciate that it’s merely pop culture. In my opinion they simply desire to feel that sense of belonging and companionship.

‘Playfully shouting it means I rarely hear it now’

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