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MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, SPORT AND CULTURE
PRIMARY SCHOOL COMPUTER STUDIES SYLLABUS
GRADES 1
7
Curriculum Development Unit
P.O. Box MP 133
Mount Pleasant
Harare
All rights reserved 2007
1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Ministry of Education, S
port and Culture wishes to acknowledge the following for their valued contribution towards the
production of this syllabus:

The National Primary Computer Studies Syllabus Panel for their professional and technical support

The Curriculum Development Unit f
or the finalisation of this syllabus

The support staff at Education Services Centre for providing essential services

Computer Society of Zimbabwe and World Links for their technical support.2
CONTENT
TOPIC
PAGE
Acknowledgement.................................
.............................................................................
1
Preamble ........................................................................................................................
3
Aims ............................................................................................................................
3
Assessment objectives........................................................................................................
3
Assessment ...................................................................................................................
4
Met
hodology and time allocation ..........................................................................................
4
Syllabus topics ...............................................................................................................
5
Scope and Sequence Chart ................................................................................................
6
Grade 1 ........................................................................................................................
15
Grade 2 ..........................................
..............................................................................
19
Grade 3 ........................................................................................................................
23
Grade 4 ........................................................................................................................
26
Grade 5 ........................................................................................................................
33
Grade 6 ........................................................................................................................
39
Grade 7 ...............
.........................................................................................................
47
3
1.0
PREAMBLE
The Zimbabwe Primary School Computer Syllabus is a seven
year course. It is intended to introduce learners to computers
and provide them with skills, which they can use in their schoolwork, in further educ
ation and in future employment.
2.0
AIMS
The syllabus aims to:
2.1
develop in pupils an interest in and enjoyment of the many uses of computers
2.2
develop in pupils an awareness of computer technology and its role in society
2.3
develop in pupils an appreciation of th
e use of computers in solving a wide variety of problems in information and
communication technology
2.4
help pupils acquire computer skills and knowledge which can be applied in future training or studies
2.5
develop an appreciation of different computer applicat
ions
2.6
encourage creativity and logical thinking.
3.0
ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES
The pupils should be able to:
3.1
identify the hardware components and software of a computer
3.2
generate and manipulate documents (word processing)
3.3
carryout simple mail mer
ge
3.4
create spreadsheets and apply the various in
built functions
3.5
demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of the operating systems
3.6
create presentations
3.7
use the Internet and e
mail.
4
4.0
ASSESSMENT
There should be con
tinuous assessment throughout the course (grade 1
7)
4.1
SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT AT GRADE 7
Paper
Description
Duration
Marks
Weighting
1
Multiple choice and
structured questions
1½ hours
100
50%
2
Practical Coursework
100
50%
Paper 1
(1½ hours)

Pupils an
swer all questions.

Multiple choice and structured questions.

The paper will account for 50% of the final mark.
Paper 2

This will be assessed by the teacher/supervisor and will account for 50% of the final mark.
5.0
METHODOLOGY AND TIME ALLOCATION
5.1
A pupil
centred approach is essential. This is a hands
on process approach involving problem identification and
problem solving using the computer. The hands
on process approach stimulates curiosity and encourages learners to be
innovative. With this approach t
he development of concepts and skills is achieved simultaneously in the learning
activities.
Some of the participatory and pupil centred methods that could be used to teach computer studies include:
Demonstration and observation
Discussion
Question and a
nswer
Group work
Discovery and experimentation
5
Research
Field trips
Project work
Visual display
Games
Use of audiovisual media
5.2
Time Allocation
At least
1hour
per week per class should be allocated to computer lessons.
6.0
SYLLABUS TOPICS
The syllabus consi
sts of a
core
and
one optional
. The
five
core topics, which all pupils must study, are:
6.1
Theory
6.2
Basic settings and File Management
6.3
Word Processing
6.4
Spreadsheets
6.5
Presentations
6.6
Optional Topic:
Information Communication Technology (ICT)
6
7.0
SCOPE AND SEQUENCE
CHART
7.1
THEORY
.
TOPIC
GRADE 1
GRADE 2
GRADE 3
GRADE 4
GRADE 5
GRADE 6
GRADE 7
Rules and requirements
for the Computer
laboratory
Basic
handling of
Computers
Basic handling
of Computers
Basic
handling of
Computers
Basic
handling of
Computers
Basic
hand
ling of
Computers.
Basic handling of
Computers
Basic handling of
Computers
Introduction to
Computers
Computer
Hardware
Computer
Hardware
Computer
Hardware
and software
Computer
Hardware and
Software.
Advantages
and
disadvantages
of using
Computers.
T
ypes of
computers
Computer
Hardware and
Software.
Advantages
and
disadvantages
of using
Computers.
Computer
Hardware and
Software.
Advantages and
disadvantages of
using Computers
Viruses.
Computer
Hardware and
Software.
Advantages and
disadvantages of
usin
g Computers.
Viruses.
Information
Communication
Technology (ICT).
Internet and e
mail
.
Internet and e
mail
7
7.2
BASIC SETTINGS AND FILE MANAGEMENT
TOPIC
GRADE 1
GRADE 2
GRADE 3
GRADE 4
GRADE 5
GRADE 6
GRADE 7
Starting up
and
shutting
down
Shutting down
the computer
Shutting down
options
Shutting down
options
Shutting down
options
Shutting down
options
Use of mouse right
clicking
Use of the
mouse
Use of the
mouse
basic
technique
Use of the
mouse
basic
technique
Use of the
mouse star
ting
programme
Use of the
mouse
starting
programme
Use of the mouse
double clicking
Use of the mouse
right clicking
Desktop
features
Desktop
features
identifying by
pictures
Desktop
features
identifying
icons by name
Desktop
features
start button
Desktop
features
start button
Desktop features
–
start button, task bar
Desktop features
Desktop features
Screen
savers
Screen savers
basic
procedures
Screen savers
–
changing settings
Screen savers
changing wait time
Settings
Date and
time
settings using start
menu
Date, time and
volume settings
–
using shortcuts
Date, time and
volume settings
–
using shortcuts
My
computer
icon
Using my computer
icon
–
identifying and
opening
Using my computer
icon
opening C
drive
Using my comp
uter
icon
–
opening and
A, C and D drives
Drives, Folders and
Files
identification
Files, Folders and
Drives
identification +
creating folders
Copying and
moving files and
folders
8
TOPIC
GRADE 1
GRADE 2
GRADE 3
GRADE 4
GRADE 5
GRADE 6
GRADE 7
My
computer
icon (cont.)
Searching for files
and fol
ders by
name and location
Searching for files
and folders by date
Deleting files and
folders
Deleting files and
folders from hard
disk
Deleting files and
folders from other
storage devices
Recycle bin
Recycle bin concept
and identificati
on
Display and empty
files in recycle bin
Display and restore
files and folders
Printing
Printing
–
using
shortcut
Printing
–
using
shortcut
Printing
–
using
menu
Printing
–
using
options (page range
and number of
copies)
9
7.3
WORD PROCESSING
TOPIC
GRADE 1
GRADE 2
GRADE 3
GRADE 4
GRADE 5
GRADE 6
GRADE 7
Loading a
word
processor
programme
Load a word
processor
programme
using an icon
Load a word
processor
using an icon
Loading a Word
Processor using
start menu
Loading a
Word P
rocessor
using start
menu
Loading a Word
Processor using
start menu
Loading a Word
Processor using start
menu and icon
Loading a Word
Processor using start
menu and icon
Exiting a
programme
using a close
icon
Exiting a
programme
using a close
icon
Exiti
ng a
programme
using the close
icon and the
close command
in the file menu
Exiting a
programme using
the close icon and
the close
command in the
file menu
Exiting a programme
using the close icon
and the close
command in the file
menu
Exiting a programme
u
sing the close icon
and the close
command in the file
menu
Word
processing
features
Inserting Auto
Shapes and
pictures using
the mouse
Inserting Auto
Shapes and
pictures using
the mouse
Inserting and
colouring Auto
Shapes and
pictures using
the mouse
Inserting and
colouring Auto
Shapes and
pictures using
the mouse
Inserting symbols
and pictures
Inserting text
Designing
patterns using
Auto Shapes
Inserting symbols
and pictures
Inserting text
Designing patterns
using Auto Shapes
Inserting symbols
and p
ictures
Inserting text
Designing patterns
using Auto Shapes
Word
processing
setting
Word
Processing
screen: title bar
and task bar
Word
Processing
screen: menu
bar and scroll
bars
Word Processing
screen: tool bars
and scroll bar
Word Processing
scree
n: tool bars and
scroll bar
Word Processing
screen: tool bars and
scroll bars