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Around the UK, students have been shouting out the words ““67” during instruction in the latest meme-based craze to sweep across educational institutions.

While some instructors have decided to patiently overlook the phenomenon, some have accepted it. A group of teachers describe how they’re coping.

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

Earlier in September, I had been addressing my year 11 tutor group about preparing for their secondary school examinations in June. I don’t recall precisely what it was in relation to, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re targeting results six, seven …” and the whole class started chuckling. It took me completely by surprise.

My initial reaction was that I might have delivered an hint at something rude, or that they’d heard a quality in my accent that appeared amusing. A bit frustrated – but honestly intrigued and aware that they weren’t hurtful – I asked them to elaborate. Frankly speaking, the explanation they offered didn’t provide much difference – I remained with no idea.

What possibly made it especially amusing was the evaluating gesture I had executed while speaking. I later learned that this often accompanies ““67”: I meant it to help convey the act of me speaking my mind.

In order to eliminate it I aim to mention it as often as I can. Nothing deflates a craze like this more emphatically than an adult striving to participate.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Being aware of it assists so that you can steer clear of just unintentionally stating comments like “for example, there existed 6, 7 hundred people without work in Germany in 1933”. If the digit pairing is unavoidable, possessing a rock-solid student discipline system and requirements on learner demeanor really helps, as you can deal with it as you would any different disruption, but I’ve not really had to do that. Rules are one thing, but if pupils accept what the school is implementing, they will become better concentrated by the viral phenomena (at least in class periods).

With sixseven, I haven’t lost any instructional minutes, except for an occasional raised eyebrow and stating ““indeed, those are numerals, excellent”. If you give focus on it, then it becomes a blaze. I treat it in the same way I would treat any other disturbance.

Earlier occurred the nine plus ten equals twenty-one phenomenon a previous period, and there will no doubt be a new phenomenon subsequently. This is typical youth activity. When I was childhood, it was imitating Kevin and Perry impressions (admittedly out of the learning space).

Children are unpredictable, and In my opinion it’s an adult’s job to react in a way that guides them back to the course that will get them toward their academic objectives, which, fingers crossed, is graduating with certificates instead of a disciplinary record extensive for the use of arbitrary digits.

‘They want to feel a part of a group’

Young learners utilize it like a connecting expression in the recreation area: a student calls it and the other children answer to indicate they’re part of the equivalent circle. It resembles a interactive chant or a stadium slogan – an agreed language they share. In my view it has any particular meaning to them; they simply understand it’s a thing to say. Regardless of what the current trend is, they desire to be included in it.

It’s forbidden in my learning environment, though – it results in a caution if they call it out – similar to any additional verbal interruption is. It’s especially difficult in maths lessons. But my pupils at primary level are pre-teens, so they’re quite compliant with the guidelines, although I understand that at teen education it might be a separate situation.

I’ve been a teacher for fifteen years, and such trends continue for a month or so. This phenomenon will die out soon – this consistently happens, particularly once their younger siblings commence repeating it and it’s no longer trendy. Subsequently they will be engaged with the following phenomenon.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I began observing it in August, while educating in English language at a foreign language school. It was primarily male students repeating it. I instructed ages 12 to 18 and it was prevalent with the younger pupils. I had no idea its meaning at the time, but being twenty-four and I understood it was simply an internet trend comparable to when I attended classes.

These trends are constantly changing. “Skibidi toilet” was a popular meme at the time when I was at my teacher preparation program, but it didn’t particularly occur as often in the classroom. Differing from ““sixseven”, ““the skibidi trend” was never written on the chalkboard in class, so students were less prepared to adopt it.

I typically overlook it, or occasionally I will laugh with them if I accidentally say it, striving to understand them and appreciate that it is just pop culture. In my opinion they merely seek to enjoy that sensation of belonging and companionship.

‘Playfully shouting it means I rarely hear it now’

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