Advice for Using Google Classroom: Treat it like your refrigerator.

1. Open It

• If you want to get food out of the fridge, you have to open it. The same is true of work and resources in your Google Classroom, or your teachers' Google Site. If a video or link is posted on the stream or in an assignment, you need to open it.

2. Slow Down and Look

• Have you ever opened the fridge to get something, looked for .3 seconds, then hollered at your mom that what you're looking for isn't there? At which point she walks over, opens the door, reaches her hand in and immediately pulls out what you claimed wasn't there. It was there the entire time. So why didn't you see it? You didn't see it because you were scanning the contents of the refrigerator rather than slowing down and really looking. You may have even needed to move some things around or looked on a different shelf. The same is true of your work in Google Classroom or resources on your teachers' Google Sites. What you need is already there. You can't find things if you're rushing. Slow down. Take your time. Really look at the stream and what's listed under classwork. Pay attention to how things are labeled.

3. Check the Dates

• When getting food out of the fridge, you should always check the dates. Eating expired food usually doesn't leave your stomach feeling well. The same is true of your work in Google Classroom. You need to get in habit of checking the due dates on assignments. Missing important deadlines will leave your grade not feeling so well.

4. Read the Directions

• When getting a TV dinner out of the freezer, you should never throw it in the microwave or oven without reading the directions. The same is true of your Google Classroom and your teachers' Google Sites. You need to read the directions on your assignments before emailing or messaging your teachers. This is not because we don't want to help you; it's because we want to empower you to help yourself.