Toronto Teacher Transforms Internet Meme into Engaging Lessons

A Toronto teacher is creatively leveraging a popular internet meme to engage his eighth-grade students in meaningful historical lessons. Michael Grandsoult, who has been teaching for 18 years at St. Maria Goretti Catholic School in Scarborough, recently discovered the Gen-Z slang “6-7,” which has gained traction on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This meme is believed to relate to rapper Skrilla’s song “Doot Doot (6 7)” and may reference a police radio code or a location in Philadelphia.

Grandsoult is now using this trend as a tool to make history more relatable, focusing on significant years such as 1867 and 1967. He is part of a collective of educators known as Hip Hop Headucatorz, a group that integrates hip-hop culture into educational practices. Formed in 2019, the group aims to create enjoyable learning experiences and has expanded across the Greater Toronto Area, Sarnia, and Halifax.

In Grandsoult’s classroom, the atmosphere is lively as students react with laughter whenever “6-7” is mentioned. “Making a lesson with their lingo, what they’re into, it builds that mutual respect,” Grandsoult stated. His approach is designed to resonate with students, allowing them to learn while enjoying the process.

As part of their learning, the students are working on a song titled “6ix7,” which includes references to key events from 1967, such as the centennial celebration of Canadian Confederation and the first Caribana parade in Toronto. The song includes playful lyrics that resonate with the students, such as: “Raise hands up if fan of Maple Leaf family. Last year that the Budds clutched the cup of Stanley.”

Grandsoult aims to give substance to what might otherwise be perceived as a trivial trend. “What’s supposed to be a distraction meme, noise, brainrot, we’re trying to turn it into brain thought,” he explained. This week, students are also tasked with creating their own “review raps,” incorporating new vocabulary into structured rhymes to reinforce their understanding.

Thirteen-year-old Sarah Acquaviva finds the integration of a popular meme into lessons particularly effective. “It can be hard for some of us to just sit there and do traditional learning,” she noted. Acquaviva added that her parents, who experienced a different educational style, find this approach interesting and engaging. “You can have fun with your learning instead of just sitting there bored,” she remarked.

The impact of social trends like “6-7” extends beyond entertainment. Kim Wilson, a director at the Children’s Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University, emphasizes the importance of social connections for Generation Alpha, born between 2010 and 2024. She notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted essential aspects of childhood development, leading to increased anxiety and loneliness among students.

According to a report by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, released in 2024, 38 percent of students in Ontario rated their mental health as “fair or poor,” while 37 percent reported high stress levels. In this context, trends like “6-7” provide a much-needed outlet for students, allowing them to engage socially and creatively.

As Grandsoult continues to innovate his teaching methods, he demonstrates that education can be both fun and informative by turning fleeting trends into lasting learning experiences.