Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 1
ORGANISING, MANAGING AND PRESENTING INFORMATION USING ESSENTIAL PRODUCTIVITY
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ORGANISING, MANAGING AND PRESENTING INFORMATION USING ESSENTIAL PRODUCTIVITY
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Ict
Class: SHS 1
Term: 1st Term
Week: 5
Grade code: 1.1.1.LI.4
Strand code: 1
Sub-strand code: 1
Content standard code: 1.1.1.CS.1
Indicator code: 1.1.1.LI.4
Theme: ICTs IN THE SOCIETY
Subtheme: ORGANISING, MANAGING AND PRESENTING INFORMATION USING ESSENTIAL PRODUCTIVITY
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In today's digital world, how you present information is just as important as the information itself. A well-formatted document is easier to read, looks more professional, and communicates your message more effectively. Whether you are typing a school assignment, writing an application letter for a job after SHS, or creating a poster for a community event in your hometown, knowing how to format a document is a critical skill. This lesson will equip you with the practical skills to transform a plain text document into a visually appealing and professionally structured page using common word processing tools.
This section breaks down the essential formatting features available in word processing software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. A. Page-Level Formatting This involves changing the appearance of the entire page. Page Layout (Margins, Orientation, Size): Explanation: This determines the overall canvas of your document. Margins: The empty space around the edges of your page (top, bottom, left, right). Wider margins give a spacious feel; narrow margins fit more text on the page. Orientation: The direction of the page. Portrait (taller than it is wide, like a standard letter) or Landscape (wider than it is tall, good for wide tables or posters). Size: The physical size of the paper (e.g., A4 is the standard for most documents in Ghana, A5 is smaller, A3 is larger). How to (MS Word): Go to the `Layout` tab. In the `Page Setup` group, you can find options for `Margins`, `Orientation`, and `Size`. Colours and Watermarks: Explanation: Page Colour: Changes the background colour of the entire page from the default white. Useful for creating flyers or digital documents. Watermark: A faint text or image that appears in the background of a document. It's often used for branding (e.g., a school crest) or to indicate the document's status (e.g., "CONFIDENTIAL" or "DRAFT"). How to (MS Word): Go to the `Design` tab. In the `Page Background` group, select `Page Color` or `Watermark`. Headers and Footers: Explanation: These are sections at the very top (header) and bottom (footer) of each page. Information placed here, like page numbers, your name, or the document title, will automatically repeat on every page. This is essential for long reports and assignments. How to (MS Word): Go to the `Insert` tab. In the `Header & Footer` group, select `Header` or `Footer` and choose a style. You can also just double-click the top or bottom margin of the page to open the header/footer editor. B. Paragraph and Text Formatting This focuses on how text is arranged and appears within the page. Paragraph and Line Spacing/Alignment: Explanation: Alignment: How your text lines up with the margins. Left Align: Standard for most text (smooth left edge, ragged right). Center Align: Used for titles and headings. Right Align: Used for dates or addresses in formal letters (smooth right edge, ragged left). Justify: Text is spaced so it has smooth edges on both the left and right sides, like in a newspaper or textbook. Line Spacing: The amount of vertical space between lines of text (e.g., 1.0 (Single), 1.5, 2.0 (Double)). Double spacing is often required for academic reports to allow for comments. How to (MS Word): On the `Home` tab, in the `Paragraph` group, you will find alignment buttons and the `Line and Paragraph Spacing` button. Change Capitalisation (Change Case): Explanation: This tool allows you to quickly change the case of selected text without retyping. Sentence case: Capitalises the first letter of the sentence. lowercase: makes all letters small. UPPERCASE: MAKES ALL LETTERS BIG. Capitalize Each Word: Useful For Main Headings. How to (MS Word): On the `Home` tab, in the `Font` group, click the `Change Case` button (it looks like `Aa`). Bullets and Numbering: Explanation: Used to create lists. Bullets (●, ■, ✓): Used for unordered lists, where the sequence of items does not matter. Example: A list of ingredients for `jollof` rice. Numbering (1, 2, 3 / a, b, c): Used for ordered lists, where the sequence is important. Example: The steps for logging onto a computer. How to (MS Word): On the `Home` tab, in the `Paragraph` group, click the `Bullets` or `Numbering` button. C. Structural and Visual Elements Borders and Shading: Explanation: Borders: Lines you can add to any or all sides of a paragraph, a table, or an entire page. A page border is great for certificates or invitations. Shading: Adds a colour background to a selected piece of text or paragraph. Useful for making a quote or an important note stand out. How to (MS Word): For Paragraphs: On the `Home` tab, in the `Paragraph` group, use the `Borders` and `Shading` (paint bucket icon) buttons. For Pages: On the `Design` tab, in the `Page Background` group, select `Page Borders`. Page Columns: Explanation: This feature splits the text on a page into two or more vertical columns, similar to a newspaper or magazine. It can make documents with a lot of text easier to read and allows you to fit more information on a page. How to (MS Word): Go to the `Layout` tab. In the `Page Setup` group, click `Columns` and choose the number of columns you want. Tables: Explanation: A grid of rows and columns used to organise data neatly. Tables are perfect for presenting information like a school timetable, a list of contacts, or a comparison of items. How to (MS Word): Go to the `Insert` tab and click the `Table` button. You can drag your mouse over the grid to select the number of rows and columns you need. Graphics (Pictures, Shapes, etc.): Explanation: Adding images, shapes, or diagrams to your document can make it more engaging and help explain complex ideas. For example, adding a picture of the Akosombo Dam to a report on energy in Ghana. How to (MS Word): Go to the `Insert` tab. In the `Illustrations` group, you can choose `Pictures` (from your computer), `Online Pictures`, or `Shapes`.
Guided Practice (With Solutions)
Scenario: We are creating a simple one-page informational document about our school, "Adepa Senior High School".
Question 1: Setting up the Page Create a new document and apply the following page-level formatting: a) Change the page orientation to Landscape. b) Set the top and bottom margins to 1.5 inches. c) Add a header that contains the text "Adepa Senior High School" aligned to the right. d) Add a footer that automatically displays the page number in the center.