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Sorting data to solve problems

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can sort and organise data to make it easier to understand.

Key learning points

  1. Data can be sorted in different ways.
  2. Organising data makes it easier to understand.
  3. Different sorting choices make it easier to see different information from the same data.
  4. Patterns can appear when data is organised.

Keywords

  • Sort - to organise data using a chosen rule

  • Organise - to arrange data so it is easier to understand

  • Pattern - something that repeats or changes in a clear way

Common misconception

There is only one correct way to sort data.

Data can be sorted in different ways depending on the information you are trying to find.

Teacher tip

Use the same dataset in both unordered and ordered forms so students can clearly see how sorting by time changes how easy it is to understand the information.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
(Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of these helps you notice differences more easily?

Correct answer: looking carefully
guessing
ignoring details

Q2.
Which piece of information would help answer the question: When did something happen?

a colour
Correct answer: a time
a picture
a sound

Q3.
Which of these is a place where information might be written down?

a guess
a feeling
Correct answer: a timetable

Q4.
Which sentence is a fact?

Correct answer: Ruby was seen at 09.15 am.
I think Ruby escaped.
Ruby might have run away.

4 Questions

Q1.
What does sorting data involve?

changing the data
Correct answer: organising data using a rule
guessing about the data

Q2.
What stays the same when data is sorted?

the rule
the order
Correct answer: the data itself

Q3.
What is a pattern?

a guess about data
a mistake in the data
Correct answer: something that repeats or changes in a clear way

Q4.
When are patterns most likely to appear?

Correct answer: when data is organised clearly
when data is removed
when data is guessed

To help you plan your 3 digital literacy lesson on: Sorting data to solve problems, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...