Brenda Klicsu

Brenda Klicsu - Middle School Math and Science

Brenda Klicsu - MS Math & Science

Hi, I’m Mrs. Klicsu. I am passionate about teaching and feel blessed to be part of the middle school team at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea School. I am a graduate of CSU San Marcos, and reside in Oceanside with my husband. We have two sons who attend local colleges, and together we enjoy traveling, camping, golf, riding bikes, and just spending the day at our beautiful local beaches. 

 

This year I am teaching Earth, Life, and Physical Science, Engineering Design, as well as Math 7/Pre-Algebra and Algebra I. My goal is to have my students PUMPED about science, engineering, and math!! 

 

My science curriculum is based on Middle School Next Generation Science Standards, uses the 5E model for implementation, meets all California State Standards, and is SUPER FUN. Every unit includes the use of Interactive Notebook, teacher-led demos, hands-on labs, and science station rotations and reaches all learning styles-kinesthetic, visual, auditory, logical, and spatial. 

 

My philosophy for teaching math is: EVERYONE IS A MATH PERSON. My goal is to inspire mathematics success for all students through growth mindsets and innovative teaching. I want all my students to enter high school thinking, “I got this!”, and truly believe they can learn math at the highest levels, and that mistakes, struggle and challenge are the most important times for brain growth. My courses meet/exceed all California Standards, and encourage students to consider multiple perspectives in approaching problems and communicate their ideas using appropriate mathematical language. 

I love teaching math and science, and I can’t wait for your students to fall in love with them too. 

 

“The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator. Science brings men nearer to God.” - Louis Pasteur

Danielle Palkowski

Danielle Palkowski - Middle School ELA

Danielle Palkowski - MS English LA

Hello! I am Danielle Palkowski, and am originally from Wisconsin. I come from a blended family with four brothers and two sisters! I was a nanny for twelve years before deciding to become an educator. I have taught all grade levels TK-8, and enjoy being silly with each age group! I have two kitties and love the Green Bay Packers. I received my Bachelors of Arts in Business with an emphasis in Legal Studies from Cal State Fullerton. I received my Masters in Education from National University with a focus in English Language Development.

 

I am pleased to welcome you to Middle School! I am looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you. Middle School is a time of self-discovery with so many wonderful learning activities to celebrate. In order to have a successful year, my most important goal is to create an inclusive learning environment. I am committed to creating a classroom environment where your child is valued, trusted, and accepted. In order to accomplish this, I incorporate social emotional learning and cultural responsiveness into my lessons.

Math

Welcome to Math!

by Mrs. Palkowski and Mrs. Klicsu

THE ST. MARY STAR OF THE SEA MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH PROGRAM

The Math Program here at St. Mary’s use a wide variety of skill practice, problem solving, and reasoning exercises which provide effective, efficient instruction for all students. Practice is paced carefully to ensure that students build skills and develop mathematical understanding. New concepts are presented using clear, student-friendly language. Vocabulary and key ideas for each lesson are clearly identified and explained. Activities, exercises, chapter problems, and problem-solving workshops throughout the courses offer students opportunities to be active and engaged in learning. The courses will be accordingly modified to accommodate both in-school and distance learning.

A synopsis of each course is as follows:

6th Grade:

  • Review of arithmetic and mathematical concepts learned in earlier grades.
  • Expand use of ratios and percentages to accommodate real-world applications.
  • Basic introduction to Geometry and Graphing.

 

7th Grade:

  • Review of concepts learned in 6th
  • Expanded use of decimals and percentages and their relationship to real-world situations.
  • Introduction to the use of powers and exponents.
  • Introduction to solving linear equations and inequalities.
  • Using data to create graphs for solving mathematical problems.
  • More complex geometric and volumetric calculations.

8th Grade: Introduction to Algebra I

  • More complex use of graphing linear equations for solving problems, including inequalities.
  • Use of systems of equations and inequalities for reasoning and problem-solving.
  • Identifying and factoring polynomials.
  • Introduction to the functionality of Quadratic equations.
  • Review of exponents and exponential functions.
  • Probability and data analysis.

Science

Welcome to Science!

by Mrs. Brenda Klicsu

Hi, my name is Brenda Klicsu and I am extremely honored to be a teacher at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea. I am a native San Diegan, and a graduate of CSUSM. Before joining St. Mary’s, I taught for Vista Unified School District for 10 years. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our two sons. Together we love traveling, camping, biking and spending time at the beach.

This year I have the pleasure of teaching 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Science. All my lessons align to Next Generation Science Standards, and are based on the 5E model which promotes collaborative, active learning in which students work together to solve problems and investigate new concepts by asking questions, observing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions. Each Unit will include:

  • Teacher Led Demo: Promotes inquiry, illuminates key concepts and, most importantly, leads to heightened curiosity.
  • Guided Inquiry Lab: Include observing, predicting, classifying, measuring, inferring, controlling variables, manipulating materials, interpreting data and experimenting.
  • Guided Interactive Notebook: Use creative activities to motivate students to process information and demonstrate critical thinking.
  • Science Stations: Provide an engaging way for students to extend their knowledge and skills by working independently from me in small groups or pairs.
  • Task Cards: Collection of review cards to be used for review, such as game-style review, group review, one-on-one tutoring, ect
  • Quizzes/Chapter Tests: Each quiz and test are designed to access different levels of student thinking and skills. They will include multiple-choice, completion, interpreting diagrams and essays.

History

Welcome to History!