Google Classroom
CMCSS uses Google Classroom to support student learning across all grade levels. Teachers can create as many Google classrooms as they need to support their students. Administrators and academic coaches also use the classroom to support teachers with information.
Accessing Google Classroom
Teachers and students access Google Classroom by navigating to their Google Drive, then select the waffle in the upper right corner and select Classroom. Google Drive should be accessed from the Classlink launchpad page.
Create a Google Classroom
At the top of the Classes page, click the + symbol to 'Create or join a class.'
Enter the class name and details.
Click Create.
Google Classroom automatically creates a class code that you can use to invite students to the class. You can always get the class code at the top of the class stream or get a link to the class in the People area or Class Settings. (gear wheel)
Watch the animation to see this in action.
3 Ways to Share a Google Classroom with Students
Post Google Classroom Code
Each Google classroom has a unique code that is automatically generated when the class is created. Students can join by entering the class code from their own Google Classes landing page.
Share with a Link
In the 'People' area of Google Classroom, there is an option to copy a URL that can be shared with students. All they need to do is click the link and log in with their Google credentials.
Add Student Email
Teachers can add their students to a classroom by entering each student's email address into the People area of the classroom. The new class icon will be on the student Google Classes landing page.
Create Classwork
From the Classwork area, select Create.
Select the type of classwork from the options. (Learn more about types of classwork in the next section.)
Enter the title and complete the template.
Select an option from the Assign menu to either assign, schedule, or save a draft.
Classwork Types
Assignment - Assignments include the option to attach files and links, create google items, and more. Students will have something to do and turn in to the teacher.
Quiz Assignment - This is an assignment that automatically adds a blank Google form with the settings pre-fixed to have an answer key that teacher completes.
Question - Pose a question to students with a space for them to provide an open answer. (Note the option to allow students to see and reply to each other's responses.
Material - Material is anything that students need but does not require them to turn in. An example is a link to a digital times table. The students can use this, but they don't need to turn it in for grading.
Reuse post - This allows a teacher to repost any assignment that was previously used.
Topic - Topics are a way to organize material in the classroom. For example, a teacher might create a Morning Work or Bell Ringer Topic, and each item posted in that category is given that topic for easy access throughout the year.
Assign to Specific Students
Each assignment can be assigned to the entire class or to specific students. Select the drop-down menu titled All students, then use the checkboxes to identify the student who will get the assignment.
In the For section, a teacher can assign work to any class he/she is teaching by selecting the class(es) from the drop-down menu.
Customize Classwork
Change the point value
You can change the point value of an assignment or make the assignment ungraded.
Under Points, click the value.
Enter a new point value or select Ungraded.
Add a due date or time
By default, an assignment has no due date. To set a due date:
Under Due, click the Down arrow .
Next to No due date, click the Down arrow .
Click a date on the calendar.
Add a topic
Under Topic, click the Down arrow .
Choose an option:
To create a topic, click Create topic and enter a topic name.
Click a topic in the list to select it.
Note: You can only add one topic to an assignment.
Add attachments
Click Add, choose an option:
Upload
Google Drive
Important: Google Drive items are view-only to students and editable by co-teachers.
YouTube
Link
If you see a message that you don’t have permission to attach a file, click Copy. Classroom makes a copy of the file to attach to the assignment and saves it to the class Drive folder.
Next to the attachment, click the Down arrow and choose an option for how students interact with the attachment:
Students can view file—All students can read the file, but not edit it.
Students can edit file—All students share the same file and can make changes to it.
Make a copy for each student—Students get their own copy of the Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides file with their name added to the document title. You and the student can edit the document. When students turn in the assignment, they can’t edit the document until you return it to them.
Note: This option is only available before you post an assignment.
Manage Class Settings
Stream Settings
On the Stream page, students can post messages and comment on other posts, if you allow. You can set the permissions for individual students or the whole class.
Click the class Settings .
Under General, next to Stream, click the Down arrow and select an option:
Students can post and comment—This is the default setting. Students can create a post on the Stream page and comment on any item.
Students can only comment—Students can comment on an existing post, but students can’t create posts.
Only teachers can post or comment (Recommended)—Students can't comment or post on the Stream page. This setting is the same as muting all students.
Click Save.
Add a Co-Teacher
Co-teachers can do the same tasks as the primary teacher, except they can't delete a class, remove the primary teacher, or mute another teacher in the class.
Click People.
Click Invite teachers.
Enter the email address of the teacher.
Click Invite.
Additional Resources
Updated 8/31/22 JC