Add some flair to your Google Classroom by changing the class theme.
Click "Select Theme" in the top right hand corner.
Choose any of the pre-created Classroom headers.
You can also upload any photo you'd like!
Pro-tip: have the students design your Classroom header.
Creating and Organizing Topics
Topics help students find and view classroom resources and materials easier.
Navigate to the classwork page.
Press "Create" then "Topic".
Topics can be subjects you teach in a self-contained classroom , different types of assignments (assessments, projects, etc), or different parts of your content.
Pro-tip: have a section called "completed work" and drag any assignments that are completed there.
Adding Co-Teachers
Co-teachers can be anyone you want to give full access to your classroom: a special-ed teacher, para-educator, an administrator, or a student teacher.
To add a co-teacher: Navigate to the "People" tab up the top.
Next to where it says 'Teachers", click the "+" sign and type in the teacher's email address.
Be careful not to accidentally add a student here by mistake!
Adding MAterials / Resources
Classroom "Materials" are anything you want students to have permanent access to throughout the year: a website, long range plans, class syllabus, etc.
I recommend first creating a "Topic" called "Materials" and putting each one underneath it.
To add "Materials", navigate to "Classwork", click "Create" and then "Material".
Move it underneath the topic you'd like your students to view.
Creating Assignments
Google Classroom "Assignments" are for any type of work that you'd like your students to complete.
Create an assignment template that you'd like your students to complete (a Google Doc, for example). Don't forget to leave space for your students to type!
Navigate to the "Classwork" tab, press "Create", and then "Assignment".
Give your assignment a Title, Topic, and Points.
Attach your template and change it to "Make a Copy For Each Student" (so each student has their own). You can also attach any resources (videos, websites, etc) for them to complete the assignment.
Click "Assign" and it'll appear in your "Stream" immediately.
Student View: Submitting Work
Students can open up and edit their copy of a Google Classroom attachment.
Once it's finished, they can click the "Turn In" button on the assignment.
Teachers can view edits in realtime while their students are working on any attachments.
Once an assignment is submitted, students can no longer edit their work.
Assessing/Grading Student Work
Click on "Classwork", and click on the assignment you need to grade / give feedback.
Click on "View Assignment"
Click on the student's name you want to view, then click their attachments.
Give comments for feedback before giving a grade/returning work to students.
Note: Students will not see their grade until you "Return" their work.
Asking Questions
"Questions" are used for quick formative assessments, entrance/exit slips, and quick polls.
Click the "Classwork" button, then "Create", then "Question".
Give your question a short title, and type the actual question in the "Description".
Don't forget to attach any resources they'll need to answer the question.
Giving Question Feedback
Open up the "Question" through the "Classwork" tab and click "View Question".
Click individual student responses to either reply to them publicly OR privately.
If it's a graded question, students will not see their score until you "Return" it to them.
Email Notifications
By default, you'll receive an email for any and all comments, posts, and submissions in Google Classroom.
You can turn these on and off by using the "Settings" button underneath the menu in the top left.
Embedding Assignment Calendar
Put a Google Calendar on your website that automatically updates every time you create a Google Classroom assignment:
Visit calendar.google.com and find your Classroom calendar. Click the tiny arrow and go into the sharing settings.
Set your Google Classroom calendar to public (so anyone can see it).
Go to your classroom Google Site (or you can make one at sites.google.com/new)
On the right hand side, click "Calendar" and then embed your Google Classroom calendar.