Computer Science
Grade 6
20 min
Sorting Algorithms (Unplugged)
Students learn to sort objects by color, size, or shape using a simple algorithm they define.
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the terms 'algorithm', 'sorting', and 'efficiency' in their own words.
Explain why sorting is a useful process in everyday life and in computer science.
Physically demonstrate the steps of a Bubble Sort algorithm using a set of numbered cards or objects.
Physically demonstrate the steps of a Selection Sort algorithm using a set of numbered cards or objects.
Trace the state of a list of numbers as it is being sorted by a given algorithm.
Compare two sorting processes by counting the number of steps (comparisons or swaps) each one takes.
Have you ever tried to find your favorite song in a giant, messy playlist? 🎧 How do computers put things in order so quickly?
In this lesson, we'll explore 'sorting algorithm...
2
Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
AlgorithmA list of step-by-step instructions for completing a task. It's like a recipe for a computer to follow.The instructions for building a LEGO set are an algorithm. If you follow them in order, you get the correct result.
SortingThe process of arranging items in a specific order, such as numerically (1, 2, 3) or alphabetically (A, B, C).Putting a list of student names in alphabetical order for attendance is a form of sorting.
EfficiencyA measure of how fast or effective an algorithm is. We can measure it by counting the number of steps it takes to finish.If one sorting recipe takes 10 steps and another takes 25 steps to sort the same list, the first one is more efficient.
ComparisonThe act of looking at two items to see which one is greater, smaller, or if...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
Bubble Sort (The Neighbor-Swap Algorithm)
1. Go through the list, comparing each item with its neighbor. 2. If an item is bigger than its right-hand neighbor, swap them. 3. Repeat this process until you can go through the entire list without making a single swap.
This is a simple but often slow algorithm. It's called Bubble Sort because the largest values 'bubble up' to the end of the list with each pass.
Selection Sort (The Find-the-Smallest Algorithm)
1. Find the absolute smallest item in the entire unsorted list. 2. Swap it with the item in the first position. 3. Now, ignore the first item and repeat the process for the rest of the list until it's all sorted.
This algorithm works by repeatedly selecting the next-smallest element and moving it into its...
4 more steps in this tutorial
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Challenging
A new algorithm called 'Sink Sort' is like Bubble Sort, but it moves the smallest items to the front. Given the list [3, 8, 2, 5], what is the state of the list after one full pass of Sink Sort?
A.[2, 3, 8, 5]
B.[3, 2, 5, 8]
C.[2, 8, 3, 5]
D.[8, 5, 3, 2]
Challenging
You have two lists that are already sorted: List A is [3, 8] and List B is [2, 6]. The 'merge' step in Merge Sort combines them. What is the minimum number of comparisons needed to create the final sorted list [2, 3, 6, 8]?
A.Two
B.Three
C.Four
D.One
Challenging
A list is sorted using an unknown algorithm. You see the list change in these steps:
Step 0: [7, 1, 6, 3]
Step 1: [1, 7, 6, 3]
Step 2: [1, 3, 7, 6]
Step 3: [1, 3, 6, 7]
Based on these steps, which algorithm was most likely used?
A.Bubble Sort
B.Insertion Sort
C.Merge Sort
D.Selection Sort
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