Application of Computer Keyboard Special Characters – Primary 5

Computer Studies Primary 5 Second Term Lesson Notes

Week 4: The Application of the Computer Keyboard Special Characters

Subject: Computer Studies

Class: Primary 5

Term: Second Term

Week: 4

Age: 9 – 10 years

Duration: 40 minutes

Topic: The Application of the Computer Keyboard Special Characters

Sub-topic: Uses and Examples of Special Characters

Behavioral Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Identify special characters on a computer keyboard.
Explain the uses of special characters in typing.
Demonstrate how to type and apply special characters in documents.
List common special characters and their functions.

Keywords

Special characters – Symbols on the keyboard used for special functions.
Keyboard – A device used for typing on a computer.
Symbols – Characters such as @, #, $, %, etc.
Application – How special characters are used in typing.

Set Induction (Teacher’s Introduction)

The teacher asks the pupils to mention some symbols they have seen on their phones or computer keyboards. The teacher then explains that these symbols are called special characters and are used for different purposes in typing.

Entry Behavior

Pupils have used mobile phones or computers and have seen some special characters like @, #, $, and %.

Learning Resources and Materials

A computer keyboard or a printed keyboard chart.
A projector (if available) to display a virtual keyboard.
Printed worksheets with exercises on typing special characters.

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge

Pupils already know how to type letters and numbers on a keyboard. This lesson will introduce them to special characters and their uses in typing.

Embedded Core Skills

Critical Thinking – Understanding how special characters improve typing.
Digital Literacy – Learning to use keyboard symbols effectively.
Communication – Using special characters correctly in writing.

Reference Book

Lagos State Scheme of Work for Primary 5, Computer Studies Textbook.

Instructional Materials

Computer with Microsoft Word or Notepad.
Keyboard layout chart.
Printed handouts of special characters.

Lesson Content

1. What Are Special Characters?

Special characters are symbols on the keyboard that perform different functions apart from letters and numbers.

Examples of special characters:

@ (At symbol) – Used in email addresses (e.g., [email protected]).
# (Hash or Pound Sign) – Used in social media tags (e.g., #Education).
$ (Dollar Sign) – Used in currency representation (e.g., $50).
% (Percentage Sign) – Used in percentages (e.g., 50%).
& (Ampersand) – Used to join words (e.g., Boys & Girls).
*** (Asterisk)** – Used for emphasis or bullet points (e.g., Important).
( ) [ ] { } (Brackets and Parentheses) – Used for grouping text.
: ; (Colon and Semicolon) – Used in punctuation and lists.
“ ” ‘ ’ (Quotation Marks and Apostrophes) – Used in writing and contractions.
\ | / (Slash and Backslash) – Used in URLs and file paths (e.g., C:\Users).

2. Uses of Special Characters

Typing Emails – The @ symbol is used in email addresses.
Programming – Symbols like {}, [], and ; are used in coding.
Social Media – The # symbol is used for hashtags.
Mathematics – Symbols like + – * / % are used in calculations.
Currency – Symbols like $, ₦, and € represent money.
Punctuation – Quotation marks, colons, and apostrophes help in sentence structuring.

3. How to Type Special Characters on a Keyboard

Shift + Number Keys – To type characters like @, #, $, %, &, etc.
Alt + Numeric Codes – Holding Alt and typing numbers on the numeric keypad (e.g., Alt + 64 = @).
Ctrl + Symbol Keys – Some symbols work with Ctrl shortcuts.
On-Screen Keyboard – Special characters can also be found using the virtual keyboard.

Evaluation Questions (Fill in the Blanks with Options)

The @ symbol is used in _______ addresses.
a) Social media
b) Email
c) Mathematics
d) Games
The # symbol is commonly used for _______.
a) Punctuation
b) Hashtags
c) Mathematics
d) Currency
The % symbol represents _______.
a) Addition
b) Percentage
c) Multiplication
d) Subtraction
The & symbol is called _______.
a) Asterisk
b) Dollar sign
c) Ampersand
d) Hash
The $ symbol is mainly used in _______.
a) Emails
b) Social media
c) Currency
d) File names
Which key must you press to type uppercase letters and special characters?
a) Shift
b) Space
c) Enter
d) Delete
The asterisk (*) symbol is often used for _______.
a) Emojis
b) Bullet points
c) Coding
d) None of the above
The backslash () is commonly used in _______.
a) Web addresses
b) File paths
c) Both A and B
d) None of the above
The quotation mark (“ ”) is used for _______.
a) Emails
b) Highlighting text
c) Writing dialogues
d) Both B and C
The parenthesis ( ) is used to _______.
a) Show calculations
b) Group text
c) End a sentence
d) None of the above