If your students are secretly practicing the “Renegade” in the hallways or debating the latest viral dance craze, a TikTok Dance Club might be your golden ticket to channel that energy into creativity, teamwork, and PE credit-worthy exercise. Think of it as part dance studio, part confidence lab - with a side of memes. Here’s how to spin this trend into a structured, school-friendly hit.
Equipment you’ll need
You don’t need a Grammy-level budget. Start with these basics:
- Sound system: A Bluetooth speaker like the JBL Flip 6 packs punch without breaking the bank. For classrooms, even a phone speaker works in a pinch.
- Projector or TV: Screen tutorials from YouTube or TikTok. A $20 HDMI adapter can turn any TV into a dance mirror.
- Devices: Tablets or smartphones for recording. Use school-approved apps like Clips for editing.
- Comfy flooring: Yoga mats or portable dance floors (try Amazon’s interlocking mats) for slides and spins.
- Props: Hats, bandanas, or glow sticks for themed weeks. Dollar stores are treasure troves.
Pro tip: Assign a “tech crew” to handle setup. Future AV club stars will thank you.
Suitable locations
Flexibility is key. Ideal spots include:
- Gymnasium: Ample space, sprung floors, and mirrors? Jackpot.
- Cafeteria: Push tables aside for impromptu dance floors. Just avoid lunchtime salsa spills.
- Outdoor courtyards: Sunshine + fresh air = instant mood boost. Use chalk to mark spacing.
No mirrors? No problem. Prop a long table against a wall - it’s not OSHA-approved, but it works for checking formations.
Age range
TikTok dances skew teen, but simplify moves for younger grades:
- Grades 3–5: Focus on repetitive, upbeat dances like “The Woah” or “Baby Shark Remix.”
- Grades 6–8: Introduce trending choreography (think Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” challenges).
- Grades 9–12: Dive into complex routines, student-led choreo, or mashups.
Teens might cringe at first, but wait till they’re arguing over who nailed the “Savage” transition.
Who will enjoy this?
Not just future backup dancers. Look out for:
- Social butterflies: The ones who’ve memorized every viral trend.
- Wallflowers: Quiet kids who shine when the spotlight’s on the group.
- Athletes: Cross-trainers who realize dance improves agility.
- Perfectionists: Detail-oriented students who thrive on nailing eight-counts.
Even the “too cool” kids cave once you promise a class TikTok account (with admin approval, of course).
Things to consider
Music licensing: Stick to royalty-free tracks from Free Music Archive or TikTok’s built-in library to dodge copyright strikes.
Privacy policies: Record dances for in-school showcases only unless you’ve got signed media releases.
Inclusivity: Offer modified moves for mobility differences. Seated dances can be just as fierce!
Time crunch: Break sessions into 10-minute blocks: warm-up, learn, rehearse, record.
Heads up: You’ll become the unofficial hype person. Practice your “Yass, queen!” face.
Further pathways
Beyond the club, opportunities abound:
- Competitions: Enter online challenges like World of Dance’s Digital Dance Battle.
- Community events: Perform at pep rallies, local fairs, or nursing homes (grannies love the “Cupid Shuffle”).
- Choreography credits: Partner with drama clubs for musicals or music videos.
- Fitness advocacy: Link with PE teachers to count dance time toward activity goals.
How it works in practice
- Vote on a theme: “Throwback Thursday” (2000s hits) or “Global Grooves” (K-pop, Afrobeat).
- Learn the moves: Play tutorials at 0.75x speed. Assign student leaders to demo tricky steps.
- Group rehearsals: Split into small groups to perfect sections, then merge like a dance Voltron.
- Film & reflect: Record multiple takes, then watch together. Celebrate the bloopers - they’re comedy gold.
Mix in “Freestyle Fridays” or invite a local dance crew for workshops. And yes, someone will attempt a backflip. Have ice packs ready.
Final Encore
A TikTok Dance Club isn’t about going viral - it’s about building coordination, confidence, and camaraderie. You’ll endure earworms like “Oh no, oh no, oh no no no” on loop, but when a shy student nails their first routine? Pure magic. Now, cue the beat drop… and let’s dance! 💃🕺