Presentation Description: This session examines how flag rugby creates pathways to athletic participation for all students through intentional collaboration with Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, and Special Education professionals. The flag-first, co-taught model supports neurodivergent learners, integrates with IEP and inclusion goals, and builds genuine leadership skills in general education students. Critically, every athlete has a real high performance pathway including recruitment by USA Rugby, World Rugby, Special Olympics, Paralympics, and Team USA, as well as collegiate and elite programs. Inclusive sport is not the end of the road. It is the beginning.
This presentation highlights the implementation of the Ready Bodies, Learning Minds (RBLM) Motor Lab Program during the 2025–2026 academic year through a collaborative partnership between Coach Kara Roland’s preschool physical education program and Baker University’s Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program. The purpose of this project is to strengthen preschool students’ school readiness by intentionally developing foundational motor skills, sensory integration, and movement competence that support early learning. Baker students actively teach motor skill stations, facilitate movement exploration, and support individualized learning through intentional instruction. They also implement RBLM assessments, collect observational data, and apply motor development and pedagogy concepts in a real-world setting. Conference attendees will learn practical strategies for implementing an RBLM circuit in their own settings, including how to design, organize, and facilitate developmentally appropriate movement stations that support balance, coordination, and motor skill development. Attendees will leave with adaptable activities and tools to integrate RBLM principles into existing physical education programs.
Review the basic rules and scoring for LiteTennis and demonstrate several games and activities that support and improve the student's overall performance. Provide an outline for a curriculum to start a LiteTennis unit.
Experience a fun, interactive session featuring movement activities and IHT's NEW SPIRIT Heart Rate Monitor, demonstrating how heart rate technology can increase student engagement, personalize learning, and provide meaningful assessment data. Participants will explore practical strategies for maximizing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), motivating learners of all abilities, and using real-time feedback to support fitness and lifelong wellness. Learn how educators can use heart rate data to monitor student progress, measure effort toward individual goals, differentiate instruction, document student growth, and make data-informed decisions that enhance teaching and learning. You'll also discover how IHT's innovative platform provides real-time physical and emotional feedback, empowering students to take ownership of their health while strengthening communication between students, teachers, and families through meaningful reporting.
Many students can perform basketball skills during drills but struggle to apply those skills during game situations. This active session will introduce basketball learning games that promote decision-making, tactical awareness, and skill execution under game-like conditions. Participants will experience a variety of small-sided games designed to increase the transfer of learning from practice to authentic game play. Activities emphasize creating space, maintaining possession, offensive movement, defensive pressure, and shooting decisions while maximizing student engagement and participation. Participants will: Explain why traditional drills often fail to transfer to game situations. Identify characteristics of activities that promote transfer of learning. Experience basketball games that develop both skill execution and tactical decision-making. Learn modifications that increase participation and success for students of varying ability levels. Leave with ready-to-use activities for elementary, middle, and secondary PE classes.
