Tenth graders learn that some algorithms are far more efficient than others — comparing a slow linear search to a fast binary search — and why efficiency matters as data grows to millions of items.
Students will be able to…
To find a name in a phone book, you don’t check every page — you jump to the middle and narrow down. That’s a faster algorithm! Why does the efficiency of an algorithm matter so much?
Project this and have students put the steps of a binary search in order — the fast way to find a value in a sorted list.
Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.
You don’t check every page to find a name — you narrow down. Why is that faster?
Students practice.
Students use.
Students modify.
Students conclude.
Aligned to the CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards and ISTE Standards for Students.
Evaluate algorithms for correctness and efficiency.
Use algorithms to solve problems.
Create programs that implement algorithms.
Computational Thinker.
Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.
Have students describe a real search task and explain whether a linear or binary approach would be more efficient. A printable algorithms sheet is in the Computer Science library.
Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.
A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.
A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.