‘It’s impossible not to smile’: five UK instructors on coping with ‘six-seven’ in the school environment

Across the UK, students have been shouting out the words ““67” during classes in the newest viral trend to sweep across educational institutions.

Whereas some instructors have decided to stoically ignore the trend, some have accepted it. Five educators explain how they’re dealing.

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

During September, I had been addressing my year 11 students about studying for their secondary school examinations in June. I can’t remember precisely what it was in connection with, but I said something like “ … if you’re targeting results six, seven …” and the whole class burst out laughing. It surprised me entirely unexpectedly.

My immediate assumption was that I had created an allusion to an offensive subject, or that they detected a quality in my speech pattern that sounded funny. Slightly annoyed – but truly interested and aware that they weren’t trying to be malicious – I got them to clarify. Honestly, the explanation they then gave didn’t provide much difference – I remained with little comprehension.

What could have rendered it particularly humorous was the evaluating motion I had performed during speaking. I later discovered that this typically pairs with ““67”: I had intended it to aid in demonstrating the action of me verbalizing thoughts.

With the aim of end the trend I try to bring it up as much as I can. No approach diminishes a phenomenon like this more emphatically than an adult attempting to participate.

‘Providing attention fuels the fire’

Understanding it aids so that you can steer clear of just unintentionally stating comments like “indeed, there were 6, 7 hundred unemployed people in Germany in 1933”. In cases where the numerical sequence is unavoidable, maintaining a rock-solid classroom conduct rules and standards on pupil behavior proves beneficial, as you can sanction it as you would any different interruption, but I’ve not really had to do that. Rules are one thing, but if pupils buy into what the school is doing, they will become less distracted by the online trends (especially in class periods).

Regarding 67, I haven’t wasted any teaching periods, except for an periodic raised eyebrow and stating “yes, that’s a number, well done”. Should you offer focus on it, it transforms into an inferno. I handle it in the identical manner I would treat any additional interruption.

There was the nine plus ten equals twenty-one craze a while back, and certainly there will appear a new phenomenon subsequently. That’s children’s behavior. Back when I was youth, it was imitating comedy characters impressions (truthfully away from the classroom).

Young people are spontaneous, and I believe it falls to the teacher to react in a way that redirects them back to the direction that will help them where they need to go, which, fingers crossed, is coming out with certificates rather than a behaviour list a mile long for the use of meaningless numerals.

‘Children seek inclusion in social circles’

Students utilize it like a unifying phrase in the recreation area: one says it and the others respond to demonstrate they belong to the equivalent circle. It resembles a call-and-response or a stadium slogan – an shared vocabulary they use. I don’t think it has any distinct importance to them; they just know it’s a trend to say. Regardless of what the current trend is, they seek to be included in it.

It’s prohibited in my classroom, however – it’s a warning if they exclaim it – just like any additional verbal interruption is. It’s notably challenging in maths lessons. But my students at fifth grade are nine to 10-year-olds, so they’re quite compliant with the rules, while I appreciate that at high school it could be a separate situation.

I’ve been a educator for fifteen years, and these phenomena continue for three or four weeks. This trend will fade away shortly – it invariably occurs, especially once their little brothers and sisters begin using it and it ceases to be fashionable. Afterward they shall be on to the subsequent trend.

‘Sometimes joining the laughter is necessary’

I began observing it in August, while educating in English language at a language institute. It was primarily boys repeating it. I taught teenagers and it was widespread among the younger pupils. I was unaware its significance at the time, but as a young adult and I realised it was just a meme akin to when I attended classes.

These trends are constantly changing. ““Skibidi” was a well-known trend during the period when I was at my teacher preparation program, but it didn’t really occur as often in the educational setting. In contrast to ““sixseven”, ““the skibidi trend” was not inscribed on the board in class, so pupils were less able to embrace it.

I simply disregard it, or occasionally I will laugh with them if I inadvertently mention it, striving to relate to them and understand that it’s merely contemporary trends. I think they merely seek to enjoy that sensation of belonging and friendship.

‘Playfully shouting it means I rarely hear it now’

I have worked in the {job|profession

Ryan Livingston
Ryan Livingston

Tech enthusiast and journalist with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and sharing practical advice for everyday users.

June 2025 Blog Roll

Popular Post