Classroom Resource

Sorting Algorithms

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Overview

Computers are often used to put lists into some sort of order, for example, names into alphabetical order, appointments or e-mail by date, or items in numerical order. Sorting lists helps us find things quickly, and also makes extreme values easy to see. If you sort the marks for a class test into numeric order, the lowest and highest marks become obvious.

If you use the wrong method, it can take a long time to sort a large list into order, even on a fast computer. Fortunately, several fast methods are known for sorting. In this activity, children will discover different methods for sorting and see how a clever method can perform the task much more quickly than a simple one.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 3

DLCS18.3.20

Compare and contrast human and computer performance on similar tasks to understand which is better suited to the task.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.3.20

Vocabulary

  • human and computer relationship
  • human and computer performance
  • compare and contrast

Knowledge

Students know:
  • the similarities and differences in human/computer performance of similiar tasks.
  • the benefits and disadvantages of human/computer performances of similar tasks.
  • the characteristics of human performance/computer performance of tasks.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • compare and contrast human and computer performance on similar tasks.
    • to understand whether human or computer is better suited to the task.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • at times, human or computer may be better suited for a similar task.
  • there are similarities and differences in human and computer performance on similar tasks.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 4

DLCS18.4.16

Gather and organize data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.4.16

Vocabulary

  • gather data
  • organize data
  • computing methods
  • data visualization methods

Knowledge

Students know:
  • strategies to gather data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.
  • strategies to organize data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • gather and organize data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • a variety of computing and data visualization methods can be used to answer a question.
  • there are strategies for gathering and organizing data to answer a question using a variety of computing and data visualization methods.
  • different solutions call for certain types of computing and data visualization.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 5

DLCS18.5.2

Create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.5.2

Vocabulary

  • algorithm
  • debug
  • detect
  • logical errors

Knowledge

Students know:
  • an algorithm is a logical set of steps to solve a problem.
  • detecting and debugging logical errors within an algorithm will ensure the algorithm serves to solve a problem successfully.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • debugging an algorithm is searching for logical errors within the algorithm.
  • an algorithm is a set of steps to solve a problem.
  • how to create an algorithm to solve a problem while detecting and debugging logical errors within the algorithm.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 5

DLCS18.5.3

Create an algorithm that is defined by simple pseudocode.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.5.3

Vocabulary

  • algorithm
  • pseudocode

Knowledge

Students know:
  • simple pseudocode resembles language used to communicate with computers.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create an algorithm that is written in simple pseudocode.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • an algorithm that is written in simple pseudocode is similar to an algorithm written using a programming language.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 6

DLCS18.6.5

Identify algorithms that make use of sequencing, selection or iteration.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.6.5

Vocabulary

algorithm sequence selection iteration

Knowledge

Students know:
  • differences between the three basic programming structures.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • explain the differences in sequencing, selection, and iteration.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • differences exist in sequencing, selection, and iteration.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.3

Create algorithms that demonstrate sequencing, selection or iteration.

Unpacked Content

UP:DLCS18.7.3

Vocabulary

  • algorithm
  • sequence
  • selection
  • iteration

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to use the programming structures to create algorithms and how many algorithms make use of all three programming structures.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • create and recognize various programming structures found in algorithms.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • each structure sequencing, selections, and iterations have a purpose.
Link to Resource
https://classic.csunplugged.org/sorting-algorithms/

CR Resource Type

Learning Activity

Resource Provider

Other

Resource Provider other

CS Unplugged
Accessibility
License

License Type

BY-NC-SA

Approved Date

ALSDE LOGO

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