If you’ve worked in schools long enough, you know every year comes with its own student trend. We’ve lived through bottle flipping, Fortnite Floss dancing, dabbing, dapping, fidget spinners, “cap/no cap,” “aura,” being “cooked,” “cooking,” and this year the ridiculous (and meaningless) 6-7 trend.

Some teachers try to ban these things. My strategy has always been simple: lean into them.

I use them, and then I overuse them. I drag them around our classroom until they lose all rebellious sparkle. If students are saying “6-7,” then I’m saying it during attendance, while handing out worksheets, or when reminding them to open their laptops.

There’s actually some psychology behind this. Youth trends act as ways for kids to create social belonging and something that feels distinctly theirs. When authority figures fully adopt it, the trend can lose some of its exclusivity and social currency. In other words, once the teacher starts doing it, the magic is gone.

Just to be clear, I am not advocating mocking students or trying to embarrass them. I am talking about jumping on board their bandwagon with humor and warmth. I think student culture is fascinating. These trends give us a glimpse into their world. They also keep us current, human, and connected. 

But let’s also be honest: sometimes they can be wildly distracting. I still don’t know how math teachers survived the 6-7 craze. Imagine trying to explain fractions while half the room is whispering “6-7” and collapsing in laughter.

So when the next trend arrives – and it will – don’t panic. Don’t lecture. Don’t make it a power struggle.

Learn it. Use it. Overuse it.

They’ll move on soon enough.

Ed X!