Tyler Bishop, a music teacher at Northmoor Primary School in Peoria, Illinois, found a creative way to connect with his students by composing a unique holiday song inspired by a popular student trend. The phrase “six-seven,” which originated from a rap song and became widely viral among children, has taken over classrooms and social media, often causing frustration among educators and parents. Instead of resisting the craze, Bishop embraced it and crafted a festive tune that both celebrates the trend and teaches musical concepts.
The “six-seven” phrase, accompanied by hand gestures, has become a cultural phenomenon among elementary students, making it challenging for teachers to maintain focus during music lessons. Recognizing this, Bishop decided to channel the energy into something positive. He wrote lyrics that are easy to remember and fun to sing, incorporating imagery of snow, cookies, cocoa, and Christmas festivities. The chorus highlights the “six-seven” theme in a joyful and catchy manner: “Six-Seven Christmas / Six-Seven lights! / Six-Seven magic! / Blowin’ through the night!”
Despite considering himself a novice with modern music technology, Bishop took on the task of recording the song himself. He used a digital audio workstation featuring artificial intelligence tools to enhance his vocals and add digital instruments. This approach allowed him to produce a professional-sounding track without needing a full band or studio equipment. Bishop managed all aspects of the songwriting process—from writing and arranging to mixing—demonstrating how accessible music production has become for educators.
The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Hearing their teacher’s original song dedicated to their shared interest brought excitement and engagement into the classroom. Bishop expressed that witnessing his students’ enthusiasm was the most rewarding part of creating the piece. Motivated by this success, he plans to continue composing songs with educational themes that make learning musical fundamentals like rhythm and steady beats more enjoyable.
Bishop advises other teachers interested in integrating songwriting into their curriculum to pay attention to their students’ current interests and trends, even if they seem annoying at first. Understanding what captivates children can help educators develop creative tools that foster connection and learning simultaneously. By turning popular culture into teaching moments, songs like Bishop’s “Six-Seven Christmas” demonstrate how music can be both an entertaining and effective educational resource.
This innovative use of song creation in education highlights a growing trend where teachers blend technology, student culture, and traditional instruction methods to enhance classroom engagement. As digital tools become more user-friendly, more educators may find inspiration in producing customized content that resonates with their students’ experiences while reinforcing important skills.
Ultimately, Bishop’s approach exemplifies how embracing children’s social dynamics through music can transform potential distractions into valuable teaching opportunities. His original holiday tune not only celebrates the festive season but also strengthens student participation and joy in learning music.
