T.A.C.O.S.- Explore the World!

Escape the Kings Castle!

Nick 'Beardy' Plaisance

Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(105)

A one-time class that breaks down and analyzes pictures of the world to inspire deep questions and creative thinking!

Class Experience

US Grade 5 - 8

Welcome to T.A.C.O.S.! 

T.A.C.O.S. stands for Title-Action-Context-Objects-Summary, and is a Social Studies tool for analyzing scenes from around the world and inspiring deep questions!

This class will meet for 60 minutes, and is a unique experience each time! TACOS was a tool I used during my Social Studies career, and was always a popular exercise among my students. 

Students will be presented with two pictures from around the world. Using TACOS as a frame, we will approach each segment...

T.A.C.O.S. encourages critical thinking, problem solving, cooperation, improvisation, geography skills, science concepts, and social studies concepts. 

Students will also practice composing concluding paragraphs summarizing their ideas and any further questions these scenes have inspired.

Perhaps the biggest skill students will hone during TACOS is asking questions! No question is too small, and no question is ever "dumb"! The true secret to my teaching career is that I learned an incredible amount from my students' questions!

I taught Social Studies in Texas for 7 years from 6th-9th grade, as well as coaching a high school debate team. I have never shied away from difficult topics, and found the most rewarding times of my career in helping students navigate tough topics that the state of Texas would have preferred I ignored. I was the sponsor for my school's LGBTQIA+ Club, and based on my teaching style was asked to design a class on social justice and current world conflicts.

I have also volunteered time with HeartSupport, a mental health non-profit.

Please know that I approach all sensitive topics with the utmost responsibility, and am always upfront with my students when there is a topic out of my depth.

Student's summary paragraphs can be submitted to me at the end of the class (optional!) for additional feedback and appraisal- I will message my full thoughts to parents after the class

1 hour per week in class, and no time outside of class.

The pictures I use for this class will never contain any graphic imagery in regards to blood/gore/nudity. However, weapons may appear in the background depending on the scene (For this class, I will never select a picture that highlights firearms in the foreground). 

One of the most successful photos I ever used in this exercise was of a young Palestinian protester waving a flag and wielding a sling in a field of teargas. This picture elicited a deep and thoughtful discussion, and the sensitive nature of the subject matter was treated responsibly. 

Sometimes, discussions inspired by these scenes can touch on colonialism, oppression, war, poverty, and climate change. This is entirely dependent on students' questions and ideas of course, but kids are curious about their world and in my experience will not shy away from the hard questions.  

I am more than willing to accept any exemptions requested by parents before the class begins- if there are subjects that may cause traumatic triggers, please feel free to message me beforehand and I will be sure to select a safe picture.

Meet the teacher

Nick 'Beardy' Plaisance

Average rating:5.0Number of reviews:(105)

I teach beginner's level Dungeons and Dragons, which is a game I truly love! My classes range from One Shots (single session adventures) to full Campaigns (continuing stories that consist of regular meetings over several weeks and include...