Final answer:
Having students create a new game with written rules and directions best supports the Common Core State Standards, as it engages them in higher-order thinking and combines physical activity with critical writing and literacy skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering which of the following activities in a physical education class best supports the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), it is important to recognize that the CCSS focus on skills such as critical thinking, application of knowledge, evidence-based writing, and synthesis of information. Among the options provided, having the students create a new game with written rules and directions aligns most closely with these standards. This activity requires students to engage in higher-order thinking, apply knowledge of physical activity and game design, and create written documentation of the game rules, supporting literacy and writing skills outlined in the CCSS for English language arts.
On the other hand, while other activities such as reading about sports history and integrating sports-related homework may provide educational value, they do not directly engage students in the creation and synthesis of new information as the act of designing a new game does. Moreover, verbal instructions in learning new skills align with pedagogical best practices for physical education but do not tie directly into the CCSS's emphasis on literacy and writing skills. Therefore, creating a new game is the activity that best supports the CCSS in a physical education context.