The story "Santa's Dirty Socks" provides learners an example of a search algorithm that uses a divide and conquer system similar to a binary search algorithm. The included questions expand upon the concepts that follow the story.

Concepts

dividends, algorithms, binary code, technology resources

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Research different types of search algorithms
• Have the class come up with a method that would help if there were an odd number of boxes

Classroom Considerations

• If using the storybook version, make sure it is in color

Pros

• Storybook and video provide two methods to pose the situation
• Includes questions that can be answered by different levels of mathematical knowledge

Cons

• The video shows using the algorithm in searching for a book in a library, which is not how to go about finding a book in a library

Common Core

6.EE.A.1 8.EE.A.1 HSF-BF.B.5 MP7 MP8