Subscribe for PD updates

Enter your information below to keep up to date with the latest events in your area?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
4.5 PD HOURS

Event Details

26/11/2026

9.30am - 3.00pm - Log on between 9.15am and 9.30am Victorian Time

Live Streamed Webinar

All Primary and Secondary Teachers and Learning Support Staff

$294 + GST

Save The Date

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Booking Conditions

No applications for this program will be accepted after all vacancies have been filled. Unsuccessful applicants will have their monies refunded in full. Cancellation prior to two weeks before the program date (cut-off date) will incur a 15% service charge per applicant. This program will be payable in full for cancellations made on or after the cut-off date or for failure to attend the program. All cancellations must be in writing and emailed to us. In the event of insufficient applications this program will not proceed and registration monies be fully refunded. In the event of this program being cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances registration monies only will be refunded as Critical Agendas will not accept liability for the payment of any other associated costs. Critical Agendas reserves the right to vary the advertised programs prior to commencement. Please note Critical Agendas reserves the right to transfer participants from face to face to webinar format with price adjustments (if required), should minimum numbers not be met for face to face event

From Words to Wisdom: How Vocabulary Fuels Literacy Growth

All forms of knowledge are filtered through language so success at school is largely dependent on knowledge of words. This activity-based course takes participants through Marzano’s 6 step process for building vocabulary in core subject areas, illustrating each step with strategies and activities. It will be particularly helpful for educators working with students who have language-based difficulties but will also be helpful for classroom teachers in any subject area who want to increase understanding of instructions and content.

It covers:

– Word selection

– How to explain new words

– The importance of student restatement

– Non-linguistic definitions: drawings, images, graphic organisers, dramatisation

– Activities that add to knowledge of words in student vocabulary notebooks

– Increasing student discussion

– Integrating technology to enhance engagement

– Games that consolidate understanding

Participants are encouraged to have at hand a unit of work and an electronic device on which they can look at websites and take part in vocabulary activities.

Critical Agendas Speaker
Presented by Critical Agendas

Shirley Houston

Shirley Houston is an independent educational consultant with 40 years of teaching experience. She has a Masters degree in Special Education and has taught students in years K-12 at government, Catholic and Independent schools, in Australia and in America. She has lectured at several universities in Western Australia and at the Central Institute of Technology. Shirley has an enduring passion for work with children and adults who have specific learning difficulties and is a long-standing Board member of The Dyslexia- SPELD Foundation of Western Australia. She runs teacher-training, advises companies on educational product development and tutors students with diverse needs.

Other workshops you might like

Hear from teachers who have attended a Critical Agendas Event

Paul Dillon

Keep up the fantastic PD opportunities! Very  professional and well-researched workshops and conferences.

Leo Wander – Belgrave Heights Christian College

Classroom Dynamics – the latest strategies and solutions to positive classroom management – Glen Pearsall

Top quality presenter who knows his stuff and delivers it in a way that is easy to understand and to apply. Check in was easy and the Critical Agendas staff were very helpful and professional.

Meaghan

“It is the first P.L. in a long long time that I haven’t been checking in with my watch.”

Frances Wong AI Skills for Busy School Admin Teams

“AI Skills for Busy School Admin Teams by Tracy Anthony & Dennis Wollersheim”

I have already enhanced my skills over the past week – been able to interact with AI program to redraft, polish and give suggestions/ideas.

Frances Wong

Australian International School Hong Kong

Karon Grimmer – Administration Workshop

This session was one of the most empowering workshops that I have ever done and I leave the session with extremely useful and relevant tools to use going forward. Thanks so much to Sally for leading us in the session so positively.

Absolutely brilliant information, empowering us with many tools and skills to takeaway and work on. My colleague and I leave full of positive energy about how to approach the challenges of our admin roles.

Tamara Rundle

Passionate &  Authentic Speakers – Meaningful Strategies

Emily Anderson – Saint Ignatius College

Classroom Dynamics – the latest strategies and solutions to positive classroom management – Glen Pearsall

I really enjoyed the small group size. The sessions were interactive and we not only saw Glenn demonstrate how he would use strategies himself but we heard from other educators on their challenges and thoughts and also saw video examples from other schools. I find this multi modal style of presentation much more engaging. It was also appreciated to have a copy of the book to take back to school and access to the online platform.

Tania The Geelong College

Just a big Thank you for giving us the opportunity to attend the Critical Agenda Workshop yesterday.  David presented a great program, lots of handy strategies and he was very engaging and supportive. Highly recommended.  I was very happy we did not have to do any Role play’s. 

Rebecca Sim Mt Hira College

“Strategies to Thrive as a Year Level Co-ordinator by Sally Learey”

Sally was insightful and helped me to make clear connections to every day behaviours / emotions that I will need to recognise in my position. It really reiterated why I applied for this position in the first place as I think that often the purpose or the why is forgotten in an attempt to do everything for everyone.

Ivana Ryan

Loved the passion of the Presenters