‘You just have to laugh’: a quintet of UK teachers on coping with ‘‘sixseven’ in the school environment
Around the UK, students have been exclaiming the phrase ““six-seven” during instruction in the newest internet-inspired trend to spread through educational institutions.
Whereas some teachers have opted to stoically ignore the trend, some have accepted it. Several instructors describe how they’re dealing.
‘I thought I had said something rude’
Back in September, I had been talking to my secondary school class about studying for their GCSE exams in June. I don’t recall specifically what it was in connection with, but I said words similar to “ … if you’re targeting results six, seven …” and the entire group erupted in laughter. It took me entirely unexpectedly.
My initial reaction was that I might have delivered an allusion to something rude, or that they perceived an element of my pronunciation that appeared amusing. A bit exasperated – but honestly intrigued and mindful that they weren’t trying to be hurtful – I asked them to explain. Frankly speaking, the description they provided didn’t make much difference – I still had little comprehension.
What could have made it extra funny was the considering movement I had executed while speaking. Subsequently I learned that this frequently goes with “six-seven”: My purpose was it to assist in expressing the process of me thinking aloud.
To end the trend I aim to reference it as much as I can. No approach deflates a trend like this more thoroughly than an teacher attempting to join in.
‘Feeding the trend creates a blaze’
Knowing about it helps so that you can prevent just unintentionally stating comments like “well, there were 6, 7 hundred unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. If the numerical sequence is unavoidable, maintaining a strong classroom conduct rules and expectations on student conduct proves beneficial, as you can address it as you would any different disruption, but I haven’t actually needed to implement that. Rules are one thing, but if pupils embrace what the school is practicing, they’ll be less distracted by the internet crazes (particularly in instructional hours).
Regarding 67, I haven’t sacrificed any instructional minutes, aside from an periodic raised eyebrow and commenting ““indeed, those are numerals, excellent”. If you give attention to it, it evolves into an inferno. I address it in the same way I would handle any different interruption.
Previously existed the mathematical meme trend a previous period, and there will no doubt be another craze subsequently. This is typical youth activity. Back when I was childhood, it was doing comedy characters impressions (truthfully away from the learning space).
Students are unpredictable, and I believe it’s the educator’s responsibility to behave in a way that redirects them toward the course that will help them where they need to go, which, hopefully, is graduating with academic achievements as opposed to a disciplinary record extensive for the employment of random numbers.
‘They want to feel a part of a group’
Young learners use it like a bonding chant in the schoolyard: a student calls it and the other children answer to demonstrate they belong to the identical community. It resembles a verbal exchange or a stadium slogan – an agreed language they use. I believe it has any distinct significance to them; they just know it’s a thing to say. Regardless of what the current trend is, they seek to feel part of it.
It’s prohibited in my classroom, though – it results in a caution if they call it out – just like any other calling out is. It’s particularly tricky in mathematics classes. But my pupils at fifth grade are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re quite adherent to the guidelines, while I recognize that at teen education it could be a distinct scenario.
I have worked as a educator for fifteen years, and such trends continue for a month or so. This craze will fade away soon – this consistently happens, particularly once their junior family members start saying it and it’s no longer fashionable. Then they’ll be engaged with the subsequent trend.
‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’
I first detected it in August, while teaching English at a language institute. It was primarily male students repeating it. I taught students from twelve to eighteen and it was common within the younger pupils. I didn’t understand its meaning at the time, but being twenty-four and I realised it was merely a viral phenomenon comparable to when I attended classes.
These trends are constantly changing. ““Skibidi” was a well-known trend back when I was at my educational institute, but it didn’t particularly exist as much in the educational setting. Differing from ““sixseven”, “skibidi toilet” was not scribbled on the board in lessons, so students were less equipped to pick up on it.
I typically overlook it, or occasionally I will chuckle alongside them if I unintentionally utter it, trying to empathise with them and recognize that it’s merely youth culture. In my opinion they just want to feel that sense of belonging and companionship.
‘Humorous repetition has reduced its frequency’
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